Why is a site for writers hijacked by religious debate?

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   Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years ago

   When it comes to the topic of religion, there will NEVER, EVER be an end to the debates and yet some people insist on stoking the fires.  It seems to me that if any person is so intent on engaging in debates guaranteed to ruffle feathers and, intentionally or not, offend others then those people should visit sites designed for this purpose.  I am just trying to discern why this site, in particular, has become a host for topics that generally have little to no bearing on the majority of Hubs found here.  Any answers?

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      Virgil Newsomeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      To answer your question, it is so you can start threads like this one.

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         Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hahahahahaha!  I like that!

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      Reality Bytesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Simple answer
      
      
      One of the forum categories:  Religion and Philosophy
      
      There it is.

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      peanutroasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      For the sport.

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      mischeviousmeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Because it helps to strengthen one's own thoughts on what they would like to write later. At least that is what I hope they are doing.

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      secularist10posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Chaotic Chica, your question neglects those of us who are writers, whose topics often deal with religious issues.
      
      "When it comes to the topic of religion, there will NEVER, EVER be an end to the debates and yet some people insist on stoking the fires."
      
      There may never be an end to religious debates, but don't make the mistake of thinking that debate and discussion is pointless.
      
      Many people have been influenced one way or another by the ideas and arguments of thinkers and writers. And civilization as a whole has gradually moved away from religion over time. So people can certainly change.

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2. 74

   QuestionMasterposted 12 years ago

   This issue has been raised multiple times. The general warning to new hubbers is "stay away from the religious/political forums unless you have a new skin."
   
   There have been suggestions that Hubpages ranks well in search engines for some religious topics, which might be the reason these two topics are not banned.

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      Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is a very interesting theory, indeed.  I try my darndest to stay out of them but every once in a blue moon I find myself getting sucked in and then I always find myself asking 'WHY on Earth did I do that????"   
      
      I'm not sure about that reason only because I have found HubPages multiple times looking things up that had nothing to do with religion at all but I suppose if that works, then that works.

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         QuestionMasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You can make it so you won't see threads from any forum you wish, using the awesome forum filter that Edweirdo made:
         
         http://www.hubdefender.com/hubdefender/ … orumfilter

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   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   Some folks just can't help themselves.
   They know they are right and they have to tell everyone else they are wrong.
   Perhaps they feel that if they state their rightness eloquently enough (e.g., use their best persuasive writing skills) they will convert other people.
   
   For some, it's possible that the religious forums are truly a place to explore philosophical/theological questions that have plagued man since ... Adam

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's odd. There are religious folk who don't feel the need to convert. I think they're happy in the skin they're in, confident about their beliefs. Then there are those who just have to have a shot at conversion, to me, they're trying to validate their own beliefs, because they are unsure. In other words, If I can convince you that I am right, then you will believe the same as I. And, if you believe, too, my beliefs are validated.

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         peanutroasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I agree.  My born-again cousin keeps coming back to me with the same load of crap and I point out the flaws in her views.  I think she keeps coming back, like a lot of religious people because their beliefs don't make sense and deep down they know it.  They are constantly looking to reinforce those beliefs that their rational mind just can't full accept.

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            tlmcgaa70posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            or they might just be really happy and want to share that inner joy with others by trying to make them see how happy they are. they simply have not reached the point in their spiritual journey to understand that no man can force their happiness on another. just like you can't teach your kids not to do things the hard way...everyone is sure they know better than others and will always try to do things their own way. when i was younger i thought it was my duty to bring others to the saving grace of my GOD. i now realize nothing i say or do will do that...only GOD can. so now i share the things GOD has done in my life and leave the converting to HIM.

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      Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         

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4. 71

   Jeff Berndtposted 12 years ago

   The whole site hasn't been hijacked. Religious debates stay mostly in the Religion/Politics sections of the forums, and yeah, plenty of folks post religious/spiritual hubs. That's cool. But it's not as though religion is everywhere in the site. It's just that the religious debates tend to get the most responses, so they stay at the top of the discussion list, which means it looks like there's more of them than any other subject. And there might be. But you can ignore them if you want. I'm pretty sure you can even hide the Religion sub-forum if you want to, and you never need to see a religious discussion.

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      Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are certainly correct.  I was not meaning to suggest that there is nothing but theological debate here.  I did not know you could block the sub forum, that is interesting to note.  In no way am I down on HubPages, I still very much love it, I would just like to see more relevant topics.  That said I must say that you're reasoning as to why it seems like the topic is everywhere is quite valid and perhaps sums it up nicely. 

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5. 98

   Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

   Chaotic Chica,
   
   Further to previous replies, it is definitely a subject that attracts attention, to varying extents and for different reasons around the world. I am like you these days and try to stay well clear, having been caught in the past!
   
   There's no doubt a lot of the issue is down to a lack of understanding of different cultures. Want a great example, that I bet a lot of you reading this don't know? I remember as a child of about seven or eight, going South to England (from Scotland - first time ever out of Scotland) to visit family and finding out that my cousins went to the same school as Roman Catholics. My childhood mind was amazed! To this day in Scotland, Protestants and Roman Catholics still go to different schools. I remember crying as a five year old because one of my friends had to go to a different school from me.
   
   Could this be the reason why religious bigotry between Protestants and Catholics is such a huge issue in Scotland? Probably...

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      Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Believe it or not I did actually know that! LOL  Perhaps it is because my husband had at one point considered going there but with a name like O'Hara an no specific religious association, we figured walking down the middle of the streed would not exactly be advisable!

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         Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         * I meant to say 'and' as well as 'street', I think I might be getting a little tired! LOL

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            Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Typos? They happen to everyone!
            
            It's hard for me to explain or comment on because I've lived in Scotland most of my life; it is my home and I'm used to it. Even going to England, they don't understand what it's like in this respect.
            
            It is, however, not that bad that you or your husband would be in any danger whatsoever. You would be welcomed by all. I promise!
            
            I really hope you do get the chance to visit and don't be put off by such nonsense. There really is nothing to worry about as the problem is only with certain elements of the resident population and they restrict their hatred very much to one another.
            
            Visitors just shake their heads in wonder at what they hear...

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               Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I think for the most part, using the 'religious civil war' propaganda that we hear about so often as a detterant (I'm sure I just misspelled that, too) is a safe way to not feel guilty over not being in a position to afford the cost or time to take such a trip.    Granted the news that we hear isn't exactly helpful but every location has it's pros and cons.

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                  Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Every location indeed has its pros and cons. I'm sorry your information makes you feel that way. I hope some day you'll see the light and join us for a wee dram or two...

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               Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I think you and I Gordon, an English person and a Scot, demonstrate this well. The majority of problems between the English (as in population) and the Scots, were brought into being by the English Parliament. (not the people of Scotland or England)

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                  Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Ahhh, Hollie, could we not overload Hub Pages database on such a topic? I appreciate your sentiments my friend but ohhh... were it so simple. I think you know I have lived in London and loved it and to be honest, I am one of those Scots who recognises One Queen and One Parliament...and neither one of them is Alex censored Salmond!

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                     Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I think the political establishment have a lot to answer for. Whether it be Alex(nationlist) or Cameron (nationalist)  I hope eventually people find another way to debate and find consensus. (those pair don't really help any of us)

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                        Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Correct. Do you know what I think our problem is in Britain right now? We don't have a viable option! There'll a bunch of....whatevers. Will you pass away in a faint or hate this Scot if he tells you who his political darling is??? She's now getting on in years but I'd put her back in Number 10 in a minute...

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                           Jean Bakulaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           I guess it's hard not to discuss religion and politics. I try to stay away, but sometimes am drawn in before I know it too! I think that the Christian faith is hard to understand, and that as Hollie says, people feel insecure in their beliefs and feel they must keep convincing themselves. I do know for sure many times I hub hop, at least 5 or 6 of 10 hubs are on religion. I don't feel this writer's site is the correct forum for some of it, unless the person has something interesting they learned or a new insight to share. I wish people would concentrate on the similarities between religions instead of the differences. Actually, this is supposed to be one of the meanings of 2012 that is making everyone hysterical!

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                     IzzyMposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Perdoname? (Just to bring  a little multiculturalism into the conversation). Alex censored Salmond? of whom the majority of posters to this thread might say "Who?"
                     
                     He got my vote everytime, even when I left the SNP and joined the Socialist Working Party (Tommy Sheridan's mob). I still secretly voted SNP.
                     
                     Many of my friends were Labour through and through. Many times they tried to get me to join them.
                     
                     I may have been partly responsible for Scotland's downfall. I am pretty sure my very first vote went to Malcolm Rifkind, then standing in Glasgow Shields (or thereabouts).
                     
                     I was only 19, that's my excuse.
                     
                     Young and stupid.
                     
                     You must be the only person in Scotland who likes Maggie. She hated us, you know. Pity it took us so long to realise.

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   paarsurreyposted 12 years ago

   Religion and Philosophy Forum
   
   - where religion and philosphy are naturally discussed.
   
   Should one discuss politics here?

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      Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good point made and accepted. I apologise. It simply got to be like a conversation!

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         paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         Regards

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         Jean Bakulaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, good point. Some of these threads get so long, I just jump in with an emotional reaction. I didn't even look up to the top to see it was a Religion and Philosophy forum. Duh on my part!

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   WD Curry 111posted 12 years ago

   You left out "stupid" religious debate.

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      A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have never considered the religious to present "stupid" debates... irrational, illogical, dishonest, hypocritical, threatening, dangerous, obsessive, childish; yes... but not stupid.

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      Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      WD~this was actually NOT a religious debate at all but a congenial question meant to subdue the heat of so many other debates. 

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         WD Curry 111posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hello?! I am talking about your intro. Why are the forums hijacked by "stupid" religious debate. I am not the one who needs correction around here. Refer to my previous post.
         
         I am feeling lonely right now

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   Arcjahadposted 12 years ago

   the Christian faith is very easy to understand if you throw out that false trinity doctrine , the trinity is what causes the confusion

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      Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh there's more than the trinity causing confusion.

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      paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

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   Disturbiaposted 12 years ago

   Some people just like to argue.

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      paradigmsearchposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, my. Lyrics coming...

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      paradigmsearchposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes.

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10. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

    Sweet dreams are made of this
    Who am I to disagree?
    Travel the world and the seven seas
    Everybody's looking for something
    Some of them want to use you
    Some of them want to get used by you
    Some of them want to abuse you
    Some of them want to be abused
    
    Sweet dreams are made of this
    Who am I to disagree?
    Travel the world and the seven seas
    Everybody's looking for something
    
    Some of them want to use you
    Some of them want to get used by you
    Some of them want to abuse you
    Some of them want to be abused!
    
    I wanna use you and abuse you
    I wanna know what's inside you
    
    Movin' on
    Hold your head up
    Movin' on
    Keep your head up (repeats 3x)
    
    Movin' on!
    
    Sweet dreams are made of this
    Who am I to disagree?
    Travel the world and the seven seas
    Everybody's looking for something
    
    Some of them want to use you
    Some of them want to get used by you
    Some of them want to abuse you
    Some of them want to be abused
    
    I'm gonna use you and abuse you
    I'm gonna know what's inside
    Gonna use you and abuse you
    I'm gonna know what's inside you

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       Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       ...one of my favorites! 

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    WD Curry 111posted 12 years ago

    Judging by the comments, it is because people don’t understand that this is a writers group designed to improve the experience and skill of its members. Professing to be wise, they have become fools. This is an American effort. As such, it is bad form to directly contradict the belief of another. This sort of thing is not tolerated in a genuine work place. This forum is filled with delusional slackers who are off task for the job at hand. Note the arguments as opposed to the question put forth . . . they are grossly off topic. I think the management has let this get out of control. There should be a rule that limits time in forums proportionally to the number of Hubs that are being published. If you go to the profiles of many of the antagonists, they are sorely lacking in meaningful content. This shouldn’t be. Big Brother is out playing golf while this hotrod is running on auto.
    
    I came here to further my career as a published author. I was led to believe, in the real world, that this is a bona fide, quality endeavor. Without doing much research, I set up shop here. Thank you, it’s free. I did it as a showcase for my work and credentials. I am the odd man out . . . for now. I am a certified vocational instructor. I know what the work place should look like. This isn’t it. I have set a new standard with my approach. I challenge everyone to come up to it.
    
    These remedial writers and asinine arguments diminish the quality of HubPages. I am not going away, they are.
    
    Cleanup your act!

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12. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

    A strange analogy has just occurred to me.
    
    I used to live in downtown San Francisco. Whenever I went anywhere I was constantly bombarded by panhandlers. I mean they are everywhere. They literally turn a very nice place into a not so nice place. The similarity between that and this is uncanny.

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       WD Curry 111posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       You get the drift.

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       Disturbiaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       LOL, I used to live in San Francisco too.  Back in the 70s.  I was one of those dirty little runaways who littered the streets back in those days.  I was one of those panhandlers back then.  I had to eat, and I figured it was better than becoming a hooker.
       
       I agree that certain cliques seem to exist in the hubpages for no other purpose than to argue with each other about religion or to turn every question put forth in the forums into a joke.  But I'd rather just ignore them than have Big Brother reading over my shoulder.

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    Dobsonposted 12 years ago

    CC - I avoid the forums for just this reason. You know everyone has their opinion, but some are so enthusiastic that they turn others away from an hones, open discussion.

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       Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       That is true but there are other topics in the forums are generally of a more lighthearted nature.  I usually avoid the religious ones but some days it seems that it is all but implossible as that is all anyone here is discussing.

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    thisisoliposted 12 years ago

    The religious debate has always been here, it's just more noticable now because a lot of people severely reduced or stopped coming on Hubpages after Hubpages changes.

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    Bard of Elyposted 12 years ago

    To simply answer the question asked by this thread: because religious fundamentalists believe it s their duty to convert all unbelievers to their faith whatever that may be!

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       Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       That, I believe, is a high likelyhood of coming closest to the truth. 

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    couturepopcafeposted 12 years ago

    IMO, HubPages is a site for writers, on any subject, not just on the subject of writing itself.

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       Chaotic Chicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Obviously I understand that and I am not suggesting that the freedom of speech be revoked from the religious forums.  My chief complaint is in how intolerant some of the people posting in said forums get, causing nothing but trouble and when one topic has been beat to death another religious post pops up to start the arguments all over again.
       
       If these forums were about mature, informational, perhaps even revealing religious discussion then I could buy their validity and usefullness but they are not.  They are ego-driven 'I-am-better-than-you' @#%&-measuring contests and I simply cannot figure out how so many 'writers' could be so narrow minded and antagonistic.  Again, if there were a handful of forums that everyone contributed to, that would be one thing, but there's dozens upon dozens of them, each one designed to get a rise and prove their point using whatever method they feel like reducing themselves to and it does not speak well of one's character.

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    WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

    Any site that offers a platform for people to write about most topics they wish to treat is going to attract not only those who write for money or art, but those who write to promote their religious/political beliefs, conspiracy theories, etc, no matter how outrageous or extreme these may be.
    
    If a forum exists on the same site, these people will inevitably propound their stuff there as well. Others will respond to disagree, and so it goes on. For example, I could choose to respond to an earlier post in this thread, which praises an evil and despicable politician, whom I loathe with all my being. I will not do so, because my response to such postings is to ignore them rather than feed the flames and offer further opportunities for the perpetrators to come back.

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    Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

    I generally stay out of both the politics and religion forums.  I think they're great places for people who enjoy the chance to let themselves feel superior to others they view as "wrong" and "know nothing".
    
    If either of those forums could ever be real discussions/debates (and stay that way) I might go there once in awhile.  They can't, so I don't.

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    Cagsilposted 12 years ago

    Two reasons
    
    (a) Hubpages has a forum topic called religion and philosophy
    
    and
    
    (b) Religious ignorance.
    
    
    

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    MickeySrposted 12 years ago

    I can tell you why I peek into religious based forums, and comment, from time to time, but never linger too long - not to 'prove' my views are right, not to demean other's views, and not because I count it my job to get other people 'saved'. I do so for the same reason I might suggest to someone asserting Rock & Roll to be an unsophisticated musical form that they reconsider, or that someone advancing that George Washington was not our first president is mistaken, etc. Someone can detest Rock & Roll if they choose to, but they are ill-informed if they unsophisticated. Someone can think that George Washington was a poor president if they prefer to, but they are simply wrong to advance he was not our first president.
    
    People can believe whatever delights them to believe; people can believe there is a God and that they know Him, people can believe there is no God at all to know, and people can believe there might be a God or might not be a God and we simply don't (or even can't) know - but the lame, dull, juvenile, common approach of so many, the assault against Christianity that rewrite the historic record and the calumny against Christians as being Christians because they lack the boldness, intelligence, imagination, honesty, etc, to escape the religion of their culture, that is what I respond to on occasion.
    
    I don't try to convince or persuade others to leave whatever it is that they believe and to adopt my beliefs as their own, but when you find someone, with all the smug arrogance they say they despise so much in Christians, making assertions and claims that, while very popular and ages old, are simply not accurate, it's difficult to not intervene.
    
    The very first thing you want to do when you publicly stand in opposition to something is make sure you understand and know the thing you oppose and what you oppose about it. I am a Christian, a Bible-believing Christian, I stand along side historic Christianity (the puritans, reformers, church fathers, etc) and again and again and again I see people battling with a surefooted air of superiority against a 'Christianity' they make-up in their head (or more likely, cull from The History Channel or some currently popular book). I'm a Christian and they argue against ideas and activities, etc, that I oppose more fervently than they do.
    
    The bottom-line is; there is an abundance of knuckleheads who identify themselves as 'Christian' and believe and do the most unchristian things, and there is a moronic way to read history and conclude that Christianity was started by Paul, confiscated by Constantine, sent-out crusades to slaughter anyone who disagreed with them, and that the Bible was made-up by church officials and is not today what was originally written - and then there is the truth and the factual historic record . . . if it wasn't dealing with such weighty and crucial matters it would be comical to watch people puff themselves up as intellectually superior, emotionally healthier, and more bold than Christians and then advance the same lame, dull, juvenile, common false arguments that others have for generations and imagine themselves being controversial and audacious and thinking for themselves.
    
    I don't post on these topics to 'prove' my religion is 'right' - I speak-up from time to time when I see ill-informed arrogance bringing charges against Christianity as being ill-informed and arrogant.

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    paarsurreyposted 12 years ago

    It is a Religion and Philosophy forum; it is very natural and proper to discuss religion here.

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    Kangaroo_Jaseposted 12 years ago

    ummmmmmmmm............. what's religion??????

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       paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Religion is following the truthful path in life.

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    paarsurreyposted 12 years ago

    It is not hijacked; this is the proper forum for religion and philosophy.

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    paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

    "Why is a site for writers hijacked by religious debate?"
    
    HP is doomed!

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       AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       indeed...

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