I’ve seen organized religion work well in a small New England town in the 50’s. Two churches, Catholic and Protestant, everyone got along, nobody cared which church you attended. Both had groups who did good works for the town and people in need. They sort of established a community standard of right and wrong but didn’t enforce it.
Leaving that small town environment I was surprised at the vitriol coming from religious leaders in the media. Like politicians the higher you go the worse they get. Some of that nastiness also filtered down to common parishioners. Mostly petty crap that I doubt Jesus would accept being hurled in his name.
Whether you believe he was the son of God, or even if he existed, the stories written about him expounding ideas credited to him, impressed me as being excellent guide lines for everyone. Be nice is always a good idea.
This is SO true! Love the sinner, hate the sin.
ReplyDeleteHistorically speaking, religion mostly seems to be a good excuse to hurt other people. At an individual level, results may vary.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen organized religion work well in a small New England town in the 50’s. Two churches, Catholic and Protestant, everyone got along, nobody cared which church you attended. Both had groups who did good works for the town and people in need. They sort of established a community standard of right and wrong but didn’t enforce it.
ReplyDeleteLeaving that small town environment I was surprised at the vitriol coming from religious leaders in the media. Like politicians the higher you go the worse they get. Some of that nastiness also filtered down to common parishioners. Mostly petty crap that I doubt Jesus would accept being hurled in his name.
Whether you believe he was the son of God, or even if he existed, the stories written about him expounding ideas credited to him, impressed me as being excellent guide lines for everyone. Be nice is always a good idea.
I am surprised that the bible spells words such as neighbour the American way.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe someone changed the spelling because they thought people in their neighbourhood would prefer that, find it easier to understand.
I wonder if they changed anything else they didn't agree with.
The bible was better in its original Cockney rhyming slang.
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