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Ammar Awad / Reuters
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal leads Easter Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday.
JERUSALEM -- Thousands of Christians gathered in Jerusalem for Easter Sunday to commemorate Jesus Christ's resurrection, crowding into one of Christianity's holiest churches, worshipping, singing and praying.
Catholics and Protestants took in turns to hold ceremonies within the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried.
Inside, clergymen in flowing white and gold robes celebrated Mass, the air thick with incense plumes. Believers swarmed through the winding church — a series of cave-like spaces decked with ornate decorations and stairways leading to galleries and descending into dark, cavernous rooms, joined by a soaring dome roof. Different and often feuding Christian sects control parts of the Sepulcher, heavy with incense, filled with scurrying monks and awed crowds.
Italian Premier Mario Monti, in the church on a private visit, joined the masses of Christian faithful. He shook hands with pilgrims and spoke to monks in the Old City.
Thousands of Palestinian Catholics smashed boiled egg shells against each other, representing Jesus' emerging from his tomb. They ate circular bread symbolizing his crown of thorns. They greeted each other with the Arabic felicitation, "Christ has arisen," prompting the response: "Verily he has arisen."
Lee Jin-Man / AP
A Christian devotee re-enacts Jesus' path to his crucifixion during a performance in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday.
"Jesus promised us salvation and hopefully, we will be worthy of it, because he is truthful of his promise to us," said local priest Marwan Deidis.
/
Around the world, Christians celebrate the holiest week of the year.
There are about 110,000 Arab Christians in the Holy land, along with thousands of Christian foreign workers, asylum seekers, and Russian-speaking immigrants. Tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims from outside the region also flock to Jerusalem and the Holy Land for Easter rites.
Outside the ancient city's walls, several hundred Protestants gathered in the Garden Tomb, where they believe Jesus was buried. They sat in a sunny, leafy green garden listening to a sermon and sung gospel music.
NY cardinal's stance on gay rights sparks resignation
Meanwhile, thousands of other Christians belonging to Eastern Orthodox churches, who celebrate Easter using a different calendar from their Catholic and Protestant brethren, marked Palm Sunday.
Several dozen Ethiopian Christians who also use the older calendar gathered in a niche of the Sepulcher church, wearing long white robes, decked in white, blue and black rimless hats. They sang in their ancient language, marking off beats with a silver instrument that made a rattling sound.
K.M. Chaudary / AP
Worshippers hold candles during an Easter Mass in a church in Lahore, Pakistan, on Saturday.
In the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, dozens of Greek Orthodox Palestinian Christians celebrated Palm Sunday. They gathered into their tiny stone-built church, painted sky-blue and decorated with icons of Jesus, his mother Mary and other saints. Four young men garbed in white and gold robes sung from prayer books, believers lit candles and chanted in Arabic, recording the journey made to Jerusalem, where his followers decked his path with palms and olive branches.
"Jesus went to Jerusalem to call people to peace," said Jaber Abdullah Jindi, a Gazan Christian. "And just as he did, we hope that there will be peace in all the region, especially in Palestine."
Matko Biljak / Reuters
Fishermen dressed as Roman soldiers collapse as they re-enact a scene from the Bible as part of the Easter tradition at a church in Sumartin, Croatia, on Saturday.
In Rome, meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass in sun-drenched, flower-adorned St. Peter's Square, before tens of thousands of people.
Benedict looked tired at the start of the Mass at an altar set up on the steps outside St. Peter's Basilica.
He urged the Syrian regime to heed international calls to end bloodshed and commit to dialogue and prayed for peace in coup-struck Mali. As the pope spoke, Syrian troops pounded opposition areas, activists said, killing 74 civilians in an offensive that has sent thousands of refugees surging into Turkey before next week's U.N.-backed ceasefire.
Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI leads the Easter Holy Mass at St Peter's Square on Sunday.
The pontiff also denounced terrorist attacks in Nigeria that have hit Christians and Muslims alike. Citing emergency officials and witnesses, Reuters reported that a roadside car bomb in Nigeria's northern town of Kaduna killed several people on Easter Sunday. The blast occurred after security officers stopped the driver from approaching a church.
The pope struggled with hoarseness throughout the Mass before a crowd of more than 100,000 faithful. Only hours earlier he had led a three-hour nighttime Easter vigil inside St. Peter's Basilica.
At the end of his Easter message, Benedict wished the world a Happy Easter in 65 languages, including Arabic, Hebrew and other languages spoken in the areas in mentioned in his peace appeals.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Yeah like in Syria everyone listens to the pope.
Seriously.
The leader of the Child Raping Pedophile Catholic Cult is, once again, trying to represent his foul, filthy cult as some "moral standard". What a joke.
Meanwhile, christian whack-jobs everywhere are celebrating the Zombie Risen Day as thousands of its followers are nailing themselves to crosses.
Religious Nuttery at its finest!!
And -- as it is typical for right-wing christians -- collaps/censor anyone with a different or opposing opinion.
Does anyone need to guess, or truely recall, where book-burning came from?
Just look in the history of christianity.
Yeah. Peace and love? Not from this cult.
Yes, by your attitude, I see you aren't exactly the finest example of good moral standards either
sorry folks.. most christians, especially catholics are hypocrites.. we saw a mass of C/E folks flock to church.. and the pope is truly a hypocrite and a nazi.. he continues to protect thousands of priests who just happen to be criminals..CHILD MOLESTERS...
95+ % of all humans on this planet believe in religion in one form or another. To say that 95+ % of the human population are moral fools is not even remotely sane.
I am a non-believer myself but i do not trash believers in the process.
It's not 95%, it's more like 45%, and the other 50% just go along with what they are told, because questioning the non secular majority makes them an out cast at the best, another body at the worst. It's all myths, and people from all over the world believe in many myths. Can we give any less credit to Zeus and Apollo, Odin, Thorin or Gilgamesh. The Christians believe that all Hindus are going to go to Hell. How can saying something like that can even be justified. They is much more to say, but I leave that up to others.
Oh, I see. Being honest and making factual statements -- makes one less moral? What a weird world you live in.
PS: to shosyn ---- nice made-up statistic. LOL
The leader of the Child Raping Pedophile Catholic Cult is, once again, trying to represent his foul, filthy cult as some "moral standard".
Meanwhile, christian whack-jobs everywhere are celebrating the Zombie Risen Day as thousands of its followers are nailing themselves to crosses.
Now, I don't know about you, but I sense bias in those comments
Learn From God's Word
How Can You Recognize True Worship?
This article raises questions you may have asked and shows where you can read the answers in your Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses would be pleased to discuss these answers with you.
1. Is there only one true religion?
Jesus taught his followers only one religion, the true religion. It is like a road leading to life. Regarding that road, Jesus said: "Few are the ones finding it." (Matthew 7:14) God accepts only worship based on his Word of truth. All true worshippers are united in one faith.—Read John 4:23, 24; 14:6; Ephesians 4:4, 5.
2. Why do so many different religions claim to be Christian?
False prophets have corrupted Christianity and have used it to further their own interests. As Jesus foretold, they present themselves as his "sheep" but act like hungry wolves. (Matthew 7:13-15, 21, 23) False Christianity developed especially after Jesus' apostles died.—Read Acts 20:29, 30.
3. What are some features that distinguish true worship?
True worshippers respect the Bible as God's Word. They strive to live by its principles. So true religion differs from religion based on men's ideas. (Matthew 15:7-9) True worshippers do not preach one thing and practice another.—Read John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
The true religion honors God's name, Jehovah. Jesus made God's name known. He helped people to know God and taught them to pray that God's name be sanctified. (Matthew 6:9) Where you live, which religion promotes the use of God's name?—Read John 17:26; Romans 10:13, 14.
4. How can you recognize true worshippers?
True Christians preach about God's Kingdom. God sent Jesus to preach about the Kingdom. God's Kingdom is the only hope for mankind. Jesus continued speaking about it until his dying day. (Luke 4:43; 8:1; 23:42, 43) He told his followers to preach about God's Kingdom. If someone approaches you to speak about God's Kingdom, to which religion does he likely belong?—Read Matthew 10:7; 24:14.
Jesus' followers are no part of this wicked world. They take no part in political affairs or social conflicts. (John 17:16) Also, they do not imitate the world's harmful practices and attitudes.—Read James 1:27; 4:4.
5. What is the primary mark of true Christianity?
True Christians have outstanding love for one another. From God's Word, they learn to respect members of all ethnic groups. Although false religion has often strongly supported the wars of the nations, true worshippers refuse to do so. (Micah 4:1-4) Rather, members of the true religion unselfishly use their time and resources to help and encourage others.—Read John 13:34, 35; 1 John 4:20, 21.
Which group bases all its teachings on God's Word, honors God's name, and proclaims God's Kingdom as mankind's only hope? Which group practices love and does not support war? The facts point to Jehovah's Witnesses.—1 John 3:10-12.
Happy easter everyone!!
God Bless!
Happy Easter to you to omega1-3015173, David Powell, and everyone!! God Bless!!
In GOD WE TRUST !!! you don`t have too! Every knee shall.............. you know the rest!!!!!!!!!!
yeah, mudderfly -- even on easter, some of you have to try and rely on your little BuyBull threats to try and get people to buy-in.
how sad for your cult -- a cult based on Fear First, and everything else later...
Never mentioned by the Western Press, is the fact that there was no religious freedom allowed in Jerusalem prior to Israel re-taking their capitol in 1967. Prior to 1967, even a priest needed written approval before he could even gain access to each, and any of the Christian churches located within that small city. Today we see religious freedom for all within Israel's borders. Yet people are still persecuted for following their religious beliefs, and denied religious and social freedoms in other eastern countries. Some of these countries pretend to be our friends, and others would happily do us harm. We are truly fortunate to live in a country that allows us to enjoy such freedoms and justice for all. We may never change the world. But we should all remember to Bless our Country. And those that allow us Freedom, Democracy, Liberty and Justice for All.
BS
garbage on the "justice for all". In this country you buy your justice and/or suffer the consequences if you can't pay for it.
For all those who wish to blast us for being silly. Believing in a myth. Putting faith in something not real. Please, be kind. Let us have this one day to celebrate that which we believe in. If you do not believe as we do, then celebrate the holiday as you see fit. Hunt eggs, BBQ in the back yard, dine with the family. Whatever you do. You don't even have to celebrate it at all if you do not wish. It can be just another day. Please, save the venom for another day. Let us all have a day of peace and enjoy our families, friends, and loved ones, a good beer on the back porch, duck hunting, boggin in a mud covered field, or walking the streets of The City enjoying a hot dog. Its a beautiful day, happy Easter. It is my hope that all people enjoy peace today.
I am a non believer, but I could not have said it better myself. Follow what your heart believes. As long as it does not bring harm to humanity, we should all live in peace. I hope everyone has a great day. For what it is worth, Happy Easter.
Your right Bupea Giddlefrizz. Enjoy your day.
Peace is a difficult reality as long as justice is not allowed, victims rights are diluted, and cover ups persist. Wonder how people hurting from injustice are feeling today, hoping that somehow they can find some relief in forgiving their trespassers.
That'd be fine, if you all would simply STFU every other day. But you don't. It's not "just this one day". you people collectively have the lowest self-esteem of any group of people I've ever seen or known. And you simply won't STFU up about your silly cultism, your chanting, your hand-mumbling, and the other nonsense rituals. You bury every thread on the Newsvine with cultism and praying and jesus-this and jesus-that, always searching for people who agree with you so your self-esteem can get a boost and you can have some confidence in your mythology. christianity discriminates against millions of other Americans at every opportunity. The hatred that christianity spreads and celebrates is hideous!
If it was JUST THIS ONE DAY, as you said, then it would be different.
Fortunately, freedom of expression does not belong only to those who agree with Bernitch (or me, either)
Me bless you all.
@bernitch; be kind there`s room for all! above and below!!!! tell Sadam and Osama i said HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAGD!!!! (have a good day)
yeah, ok. like i said earlier -- i've heard all your BuyBull threats before -- all he hellfire and damnation nonsense.
cheers!
A day meant for renewal for all. Even the church can practice this renewal and surprise the flock.
What a blessed day this is...our yearly reminder that brings the celebration of rebirth and renewal..a day that brings the recognition that we are so loved that the son of God gave his life for us. Blessing to all on this and peace be with you. Happy Easter.
Syria will probably not listen to the pope. However, neither will China or India where half the world's people live. But the pope will still get the blame for over population. You just can't win. Happy Easter, world! You could use a little hope.
Isn't it strange? Professed "christ"ians using symbols and practices stolen from pagans to celebrate the re-birth of Christ who was 180 degrees removed from pagans and only commanded that his DEATH be commemorated.
Hypocrites!
Please don't blatantly label all Christians as hypocrites. Hypocrisy is common to all mankind, not just Christians - we're ALL fallible...
The majority of Christians simply are not aware of the mistranslations from the early manuscripts into the King James (which does not necessarily negate the King James, if studied with understanding). The Strong's Concordance indicates that the one reference to Easter [Acts 12:4] is actually Passover and was taken from Ishtar, a pagan holiday. However, the manuscripts reference Passat, which is Passover. Christ is the lamb slain; and, our church celebrates Passover because it is truly biblical. Too many Christians follow whatever their preacher says and never really study the bible themselves.
Not all Christians are uneducated or out-to-lunch. And "Be nice" applies to everyone, even folks that aren't your cup of tea. I used to be an atheist; and, I'm shocked how nasty that crowd has become... Even old hippies would acknowledge a more "live and let live" approach. At this point, you're still free to think whatever suits you and tolerate others you don't necessarily like.
It isn't strange. Symbols and practices can and do change over time. Some of the distractions from the truth however are Satan at work. Christians living in these modern times are especially vulnerable.
Let he who is without sin, JJGarner cast the first stone.
JJGarner...it is not strange at all...there are many instances throughout history and even into ancient culture that a higher power is observed. The Pagans believed in deities that evolved from wonders of nature as do Hindu's and well ancients in China...not at all surprising or in any way degrading for Christians now or our Pagan ancestors....I do hope you have a blessed day and well enjoy the symbolism that gives us all hope for an enriched spring.
It's just the system of the world keeping all that going. Not Christian's. It's a way of NOT addressing who Jesus Christ is to history and Christians and the world. The world is at enmity with God.
As a pagan I don't care that Christians have done this. Growing up Catholic I was told God is in everything so everything is holy. As a pagan I believe the earth is the system and everything is part of the system therefore everything is holy-seems a lot more the same than different to me.
it's ok, koali. Neither you, nor anyone else, has ever been able to prove a god exists.
Your comment is like saying "the world is at enmity with leprechauns."
Grow up.
Cheers!
Bernitch...and you imperical evidence that God does not exist is?
Seems that Bernitch is unable to offer "scientific proof" that God does not exist. Perhaps that is because physical science is still in it's infancy and as knowledge grows so will the indications that order was instilled by a greater being and we are only able to identify those patterns that were set in motion by a greater conscientiousness.
that's a cop out. the whole "oh i don't know how this works so some mystical deity must have done it" argument isn't just invalid, it's also childish.
also, your *empirical* evidence that god does exist is?
Sorry believers, but I have to ask (and it is tongue in cheek): Why would a religion try to glamorize cannibalism? 'WTF?' you ask. Think about it. Those churches that have communion say 'Eat this, it is the body of Christ' - 'Drink this, it is the blood of Christ'. Doesn't that sound like cannibalism to you? :)
Almost every protestant would agree with you. There are denominations other than catholic you know.
Anything can be made to sound like something else; and many stories are either taken out of context or twisted these days for the sake of sensationalism. Today on MSN on Easter the most holy of days the bunny got the headline and "Christians Mark Easter" is below in small print. Remember MSN is not in the business to spread the word of Jesus' resurection so you will not get the full story here.
A few passages from the Holy Bible:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Happy Easter Day everyone.
All religions that support war are not Christian. Jesus was a true Pacifist. But it is strange that he would destroy those that do not come to recognize God and him. (the Four Horseman).
It's because it's an old Bronze Age ritual. They did a lot of silly @!$%# back in those days.
In an answer to 'Computer Geek'... you asked why a 'religion would glamorize cannibalism?' Here goes:
Catholics and Episcopalians believe that Our Lord, at the Last Supper (celebrating the Jewish feast of Passover) gave us His Body and Blood as our food for two reasons: 1. to be with us in a most intimate way throughout our lives and 2. to stay with us throught all of time until He comes again (the Second coming). Jesus accomplished what He came to do: teach us to Love One Another (this is alot harder than it sounds... its a life long journey) and to take onto Himself what should have been our fate (in His Passion and death - remember, Scripture says that the 'wages of sin is death' and since He does not lie, someone had to pay the price... He did it because of His love for all of us - not just believers but non-belivers as well).
Since He is God, and we are the creation, I am guessing that 1. He can do anything He wants with/for us and 2. who knows the mind of God? (I for one am thankful that He is a loving and merciful God who allows U-turns!).
I wish everyone reading this a Wonderful and Blessed Easter! If you are not Christian, or anything in particular, I wish you a wonderful day. God Bless!
I guess computer geeks don't understand sacrifice. Christ was the paschal lamb sacrificed for all mankind. Your criticism is obtuse. The romans said it was canibalism and you are just to the intellectual capacity of a first century roman. So much for computer science.
Spoken like someone who cannot comprehend symbolism, simile and metaphor. Back to school with you, Computer Geek!
Christ knew he was doomed to die for bringing the people hope (and bread and wine). The pagan Romans were going to crucify him as the "King of the Jews," as they did criminals. He was symbolically offering himself up with that meal. THIS self-sacrifice is what is commemorated in the mass.
It was somewhat dumbed down for the masses. But apparently not far enough.
Computer Geek... I think you fail to understand that Jesus and God are the same entity. This also includes the Holy Spirit. This is known as the Trinity. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one in the same. The main differences are in how they are presented. God is the creator of all things. Jesus was simply God making an appearance in the flesh form. The Holy Spirit is God after he arose and ascended into Heaven. Therefore, when Jesus commanded the disciples to partake of his blood and his flesh, he was indirectly telling them to take God into their bodies. It's actually pretty easy to understand.
Sacrifice, as in a proposed "immortal" god or son of god, depending on who you ask, give up a life that he knew was just a shell and that his existence would continue in a much better place. That's like giving away all your losing lottery tickets to charity because you have the winning numbers in your pocket.
if your such a computer geek, please go back on the computer and study the bible. then comment, thanks.
Some more choice words from that foul, filthy BuyBull:
"Whosoever hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any
thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. ... Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries." -- Leviticus 21:17-23
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. -- Proverbs 30:17
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. -- Psalm 137:9
What filth.
Bernitch - you are one angry child. I have not been to any church in a long time, but if I were ever in trouble I would count on the average Christian for help far before I would count on someone like you./
Bernitch
We as Christians do not live under the Old testament laws, we now live by grace, which is a free gift to believers from God.
In Luke 14:26 Jesus was talking about us not having anything above God, He was talking in parable., not literal.
As long as there are Christians and Muslims there wil be no peace.
No. As long as there are lovers of hate (I see the word in your username) there will be no peace. Jesus resurrection is celebrated today. When he returns there will be peace.
Forreztt; Only after he destroys those that hate him will there be peace. Ironic isn't it.
When Jesus comes back again, there will be total peace. And that day may be very soon. He is Risen!
revit ray, if God really wanted to destroy, He would've destroyed the devil and his angels at the moment of the rebellion which would have prevented evil from taking root in the first place. it's obvious that He didn't. this means that there is a greater plan involved here.
in righteouness and justice, God wanted to show those principalities and powers (the devil and his angels) that LOVE, not domination power, triumphs! this love is seen in His gift to this world (john 3:16) and in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
presently, we are in a time of grace. a time where God wants people to accept this love and forgiveness that is already there through His Son Jesus.
time, however, is fast running out and there is coming a day where God will judge the world. in that judgment, justice will be meted out.
God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Jesus is the only way. salvation is found in no one else.
none of you have ever been able to prove that your cult creatures even exist.
grow up and chill out.
you sound like people arguing over "the tooth fairy" and "harry potter" -- trying to convince each other which one is For Real.
your jesus creature is no more provable as the son of a god than gandalf, leprechauns, or the easter bunny.
All religions were aoutlawed in USSR. Boy was the place peaceful!
If you want to see how nice it was, just move to North Korea.
better yet -- move to the middle east, like Iran -- and see how wonderful life is under Theocratic rule!
Yes, dictatorship is just as bad when it enforces a religion, aw when it enforces lack of religion.
So far allowing people to pray if they want to and not pray if they don't want to has been the best way to go.
Computer geek, you probably left this page, however, I am unable to answer your question, or matter of fact other questions that you and other atheist may have since your heart has been harden by God, you will never understand. I will say this to you, if you sincerely seek God, you will find Him. Jesus will be part of your life and you will and others will see a big change in your life, your attitude. Only then will you be able to understand the answer to your questions. Faith, Hope and eternal life.
It's amazes me how some say those those that believe in God are fools. That there is no proof of his existence. That we believe only on faith. These are the same people that believe in aliens. That there is life on other planets, but where is their proof. It seems that it is only their belief or faith that they have to believe in. After all of the sightings over the years there is not one piece of evidence to prove that there is any life other than that on our own planet earth. Aliens seem to be like Big Foot. All of these sightings, but yet there is no evidence. Who believes in Big Foot? It's seems we all have faith just in different forms. One side disagrees with the other, while others are ridiculed for their faith. We believe what we believe. Just because we don't all believe the same does not mean that that we have to show hate or contempt for each other.
TexasZ; Very good comment about Faith, Hebrews 11:1 says it all. Everybody has faith in something.
TexasZ - THAT might be the silliest bit of non-reasoning I've read this year. What leads you to conclude those who think you foolish are "the same people that believe in aliens?" Many of us who think religion is nonsense don't believe in UFO's any more than we believe in the Easter Bunny; groundhog weather prognosticators; or Jesus. You should probably think before you blurt out these deep thoughts that bubble to the surface of your consciousness. Rationalizing and justifying religious superstition ("faith") by referencing other unprovable nonsense makes your supernatural "faith" sound that much goofier.
Nevertheless, you do anyway. This cult called christianity -- it is supposed to be about brotherhood and love. Yet, it spreads more hatred, discrimination, intolerance, warring and killing than any other group in history. So, maybe you wonder why over 70% of the people on the planet dismiss it and the BuyBull. And maybe that's also why more and more people in America realize that, as far as cults go, it really is a foul, filthy, hypocritical POS that people can easily and happily live without.
I read a saying once: christians are the worst advertisement for christianity
Truer words were never spoken. Still, the BuyBull is an unprovable, mythical cult book. When studied objectively, you see what a foul, loathsome piece of crap it actually is. Whomever would follow such a hideous, vengeful, hateful, mass-murdering god is truly vacant.
Cheers!
Bernitch
I keep hearing all this mass-murdering killing intolerance stuff from atheists. I am familiar with the Crusades etc. But, what recent Christian driven "mass murder" are you addressing?
Yes, by your attitude, I see you aren't exactly the finest example of good moral standards either
I'm Christian and I believe in Aliens haha.. Jesus himself said he was not of this Earth, not saying that he was a alien though. Other then that, I am a firm believer in Science as well. Bout to get my degree in Mechanical Engineering and I owe the lord for changing my life around and allowing me to progress with this great knowledge of the Universe. I've known plenty of Atheists in my life that finally came around to understanding the words in red in the bible that have changed their life around.
The cruel new atheists of today hate and fear what they do not understand. As for people that give a bad name for christians, no one is perfect. I've known plenty of idiots that said they believed in Jesus Christ but have never read the words in red or even remotely tried to come to an understanding of Jesus's parables in the king james version of the bible.
As for criticisms of the Bible, The bible is not a RATED G book. It is a very RATED R poetic book. It is to give you Wisdom and to teach you how the world is, how it can be, and the way it is, and how you can be saved from the demise it offers. Unfortunately a lot of things are taken out of context in the Bible. This be reason Jesus Christ taught and spoke in Parables so that no one in the future can use his words for bad.
Were those the words in red about endorsing slavery or the ones endorsing genocide? I can never remember...
A troll is always too hungry to remember much of anything but its hunger
OMG: The picture of that Latin Patriarch looks just like Sheriff Joe Arpio from our fair state of Arizona. I did not know he had a secret life.
Believe me, if the Church wanted him, they can TOTALLY have him, no questions asked.
catholics are a cult,,not christains!!!that old poacher called a pope is hiding child abusrs,,and they teach they can pray sinners out of hell ,
WW2 Vet;
It's kind of strange that they supported Hitler in WW2. You could consider them the first Christian Cult Religion. Weird just plan Weird.
WW2 VET....personally I think you remarks are absurd....saying the Catholic Faith is a cult and the pope hides child abusers is like saying Atheists are a cult and criminal just becasue Madeline Murray O Hare was a crook and misguided.
txmom32:
In a way you can say that Atheism is a cult in a broad sense. Not that they believe in God. It is anti God, which have their own beliefs. But they are not the anti Christ which many evangelical Christians believe they are. Strange the the Evangelicals would believe that since the Anti Christ starts out as being Christians than turns against them.
Revit Ray...aside from some fringe churches....which Evangelials believe that Atheists are the anti-Christ? How do you justify that a whole interest group is to evolve into the one anti-Christ? Atheists do not believe in God so they conversely not believe in Satin not believing that good and evil are quantitative as Christians believe.
It would be very doubtful that the anti-christ would be classified as an Atheist...as you say if he begins as a Christian and believes himself to be as powerful as God to rise to a post of diety himself then he could not possibly be an Atheist...perhaps a believer in Satanic lore not a non-believer though.
No, you really cannot say that. A disbelief in a god is no more anti-god, than a disbelief in leprechauns is anti-leprechaun with their own set of beliefs. I love how you try to portray people, just because they disblieve in some mythological thing which has NEVER been proven to exist. It's amazing what your low self-esteem compels you to do...
About The Nazis:
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me -
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
-Martin Niemöller
Every Group has their undesirables, no group is exempt, pointing out the flaws in one will only cause them to bring out the flaws in yours.
OH MY!!!
Jesus is truly the Christ. Risen from the dead and He sits on the right hand of the Father, interceding for you and me.
Quite a gift for your Easter basket.
sorry, but those are only more unprovable, mythical cult claims.
each cult states that its claims are real. not a single cult on the planet, throughout history, has ever proven its rubbish to stand as factual.
so, chill out.
I have better things to do with my time, than watch pedophiles in dresses do weird sh*t.
so why did you take the time to read this article??? thats what we call hypocrites.
well - no doubt, followers of the BuyBull know hypocrisy better than anyone! they practice it all the time.
Who said I read the article? I seen the pics of the men in dresses, know the dark past history....enough said. No hypocrisy about it.
Silly native superstitions!
If ever there was a reason to intervene in another country it should be a big signpost when the ruling party slaughters its own people on a holy day, Assad should be taken out and shot! it seems to me to be evidence of godlessness on a day like Easter Sunday. I am appalled
there are fossil records to prove that the earth has gone through several cyclew or freezing and thawing and people are stupid enough to fall for the us govt telling them that man is causing global warming, but religious sects put together a book from stories written all over, leaving out stories they do not like and people follow like sheep and belive that crap..... alot of weak people in this world, and they hide and justify thier wrong doing using the name of christianity. no proof at all of a god with no name... but a whole lot of proof showing evolution is the viable answer
so were did you come from, a fish. you sound like one.
and -- you think your utterly ridiculous story of Dirt-Man and Rib-Woman seems to make so much more sense?
LMFAO!
the irony...
Happy Easter everyone. We are all the children of God, i pray for peace and love on Earth for all of us.
I celebrate Easter because I believe in the Easter Bunny. I haven't heard of anyone being murdered in the name of Easter Bunny. He's sort of like Santa Claus. Anyway, the christians on the other hand seem to have a lot of hate in their hearts. Throughout history right up to today, they want a lot of people dead. However, many of them seem to fear their own death. If heaven is the place to be then why don't they want to go there. Personally I think the world might be a better place without a few of them. For instances we could do with a few less breeders. They tend to need so much financial help cause they have too many kids. Oh, and the ones who hate others who don't believe exactly as they do. Ya gotta love how they try to force their beliefs down everyone else's throats and if you don't accept their ways they say you're damned to hell - not too judgemental, right? Well, I never heard any of those knds of things about the Easter Bunny. The Bunny spreads love and kindess to everyone, isn't a hater and doesn't want anyone dead. Yep, I'm sticking with the Easter Bunny - Celebrate the Bunny and May Peace Prevail On Earth!
Actually, you seem to be the hateful person, lol.
Happy Easter Everyone..
Nope not a hater, just a tad cautious to be around the ones who are. I'm really happy they have this special day to gather together in joyfully celebration. I like to see them in a good mood -
wow sounds like you were following a cult, my god isnt like that at all, may god bless all of us and forgive us of all our stupidity.
christianity IS a cult, john. wake up!
In your opinion it's a cult, so don't go parading around with a bullhorn yelling it to everyone, because no one honestly gives a damn.
It's not an opinion. It's called Proper Use of the English Language.
Since there are mindless cultists here who need assistance and can't do proper reasearch, I'll defer to a couple of language experts: Merriam and Webster, at www.m-w.com
Definition of CULT
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work
For the usage to be proper, the word must be applicable in at least One of the above usages. In the case of xianity, it fits all of them -- even #4, given the number of xian whack-jobs who think that their silly prayer/hand-mumbling causes people to be healed. #3 is also fitting -- given that tens of thousands of children have been repeatedly raped in many of our American BuyBull-based churches, most would consider that kind of crap unorthodox. Especially since we all know about it, and it's still going on...
So, yeah...wrong again. It is a cult. In every sense of the word.
Cheers!
No, pagans mark Easter on Sunday at various proclaimed holy sites. REAL Christians kept the Passover Thursday evening at sunset and are looking forward to the Days of Unleavened Bread.
more of the ole "this unprovable, mythical cult does it right... but this unprovable, mythical cult doesn't"
LOL. Whatever...
May Jesus bless everyone with his compassion for all of us . Overt denial of him is what causes pain in the world. Those who claim to believe should not overtly curse those who deny or mock Him because that is what true compassion is, as difficult as it may be to comprehend and put in to practice. An open door always exists to all, even to those who do not yet appreciate it. "Lord forgive them, they know not what they do."
A simple generous gift from a simple man who did not come to condemn but to offer His compassion.
amen
we need to stay out of ppl religion.
Excellent engrish skills, now try again and make it into a sentence we can read
we need to stay out of ppl religion.