Quote Originally Posted by willystylle
Religion is historically known to be a form of suppression of the poor people by the church. In the older days the roman catholic church had influence throughout the world. In modern times it is an internationally organised franchise business. God is not free anymore, gentlemen.

And yes I do feel sorry for the poor 40% of the world who are NOT christian. Too bad they gotta burn in hell for all eternity just cause their God uses a different name....

MHO - God is an imaginary friend for grown-ups.
Willy, In alot of ways you are not that far off.(in my view) suppression of the poor happened..............influence thru world............organised franchise bus, which you phrased well. I call it "Christian Industry" What you are observing is "Mans" organised religion.....Big, Big difference between that and what many enjoy as a simple walk w/ God

Look at things today, Sure there are Christians that are very visible especially In politics, typically where things get more inflamed. Maybe some of the them have a healthy walk with God, others may prefer the ideology. Regardless there are many caring, people that bear His name that would not want ill on anyone, to force theirs laws etc..

Things haven't changed, in some ways as Willy mentioned, however the degrees of which has greatly. But, religion is just that, and only accessible from the surface, and goes no deeper. Relationship With God is a different level altogether.

In a religious setting, Willy - you are truly remarkable, God is not Free........... Man always charges a fee.

As the way the truth and the Life. ...............He says come to me all that are dragged down, exhausted, and carrying heavy loads, I will give you rest.

Lets look at the oposite extreme, Christian Martars
There are a hugh number of christians martars, even within our own life time.
Foxes, book of martars shocked me with mny facts, the total number of martars prior to the last couple hundred of years, is very small in comparison, If we were to observe what most christians in other contries have to fear and put up with, and have suffered. Public sympathys are totally different. The church in China, didn't grow until the Gov. threw out the missionarys and pursecuted the Church , Look at India, Korea, Islamic controled contries.

I don't hate moslems, It was a Nth Africa missions Missionaried that married my wife and I, before, Greg Livingston left to form Frontiers, in California, in the early 80's. To listen to these guys explain the persecution, of their missionarys, The transporting of some - out of their captivity(by God), Others looseing Family members being shot repeatedly with arrows. One man on the coast of India, was captured and tied to a tree. The men left to find the village skinner. Where they would then afterwards - throw the man in to the sea,...........hard to imagine.

Aboy came along, and untied the man. He was freed. The healthy tree he had been tied to, died and blew over within a week. That man now after suffering much, losing fingers, constant fear, is regarded a Holy Man, and know enjoys freedom to do what he loves. Being a missionary to his own people.

I learned this from Brandon Darnell, when he was still station mgr. at KVTT in Dallas, This was one individual of many he met while in India, w/ K.P. Yohannan founder of Gospell for Asia. I've seen alot.

God loves the Hindus,and Moslems, etc. and desires that we all come to Him. Thru His son. I didn't set it up. But, I must accept.