re: I want to hear from the Agnostics. What will the secular world eventually evolve into?

quote:

---

And I’m asking you, if I supplement my Christian theology with things like; personal experiences, visions, dreams, prophecies, etc, would that make my case more valid?

---

That's what Joseph Smith did

quote:

---

Why doesn’t your Bible say don’t own people instead of laying out the rules for owning people.

---

The Bible doesn’t have direct commentary on many subjects, but we have to apply the whole to obtain its meaning.
Anyone who uses the Bible to justify slavery is just as wrong as those who used the Bible to ban interracial marriages.

quote:

---

Centuries/millennia of slavery, feudalism, 100 year wars, etc

---

We have people serving in Afghanistan who were born after the war started. There are more slaves in the world today than at any time in the past.

quote:

---

That’s called dodging the question It does have direct commentary on slavery, and there’s no way around it.

---

Even in the passage you cite, Exodus 21, this isn’t traditional slavery.
What slave is released after serving 7 years?

quote:

---

Why do you single out slavery as a special sin worse than all others? Why does it need its own category? Is it worse than child rape? Is it worse than murder? Is it worse than ungodly wars that kills millions? Is it worse than spreading biological weapons on citizens? Is it worse than jailing an innocent man?

---

I’m singling out slavery because the Bible doesn’t proclaim slavery is immoral, but endorsers it by laying out rules for it.
How did your God get this so wrong?
How did you come to the conclusion that slavery is immoral even though the Bible disagrees?

quote:

---

Like you implied, it’s all about balance. Religion means nothing to someone who already has sound morals and judgement. But it can be helpful to those who need a hyperbolic threat to scare them away from doing bad things.

It’s completely normal for religion to fade with each generation, because religion is based on rumors, trust, and indoctrination, and these things naturally get filtered out given enough time. I don’t know a single person in their 20’s who is religious, and when all of those people have children, the “non-belief” will only spread more.

---

I agree.

I grew up in a traditional southern household, sort of. My dad is a "godly" man, but he never went to church. We went with mom, who took us to the church where my dad's mom was totally invested. She loved that place, and I guess by association, I did too. I never really actually "believed" in an invisible supernatural being, though. Sundays were a lost day for a while. Breakfast. Sunday School. Church. Youth Group. Bell Choir. Etc. It was great at the time, but burn out was real.

The moment I had a choice in the matter, I quit going. I have been to church exactly zero times since I turned 16 or so, not counting weddings or funerals. My kids have NEVER been to church. My mom hasn't really ever made a big deal about it, because she also quit going decades ago. My mother-in-law still goes and worries about the kids not being baptized, etc, but my father in law quit going to church, too, so it all balances out.

We know right from wrong, I've never been in trouble with the law, have a strong marriage, great relationships with our entire family, and our kids are great students, friends, and citizens. I don't need someone telling phony stories (...just the other day I was at the market, and god spoke to me...), asking me for money while we sit in a multi-million dollar building (tax-free) to do it. If there is a need in the community, we contribute to it directly. My dollars and time are better spent literally feeding the hungry here, than trying to get some people in Africa to convert. That being said, I certainly don't tell people they are nuts for going to church or doing those things. It's their choice. We celebrate Christian holidays, because, well, because.

Not one family in our social circle attends church. I don't know their level of spirituality, because frankly, I don't care to talk about religion with people. We are in our early 40s, so it's not just a 20s thing. All 3 of our kids have activities that take place on Sunday at some time or another, and there is never a problem with people not being able to attend. Times have changed. I'd wager a full 70% of people that go are doing it out of habit or for socialization, and not for religious purposes.

Hey, if some voice from the clouds speaks and proves they exist, I'm all ears. Until then, I'll just assume that if there is a creator, he made us to question everything, so we are doing what they wanted anyway.

What are we supposed to evolve into? Religion tells people what happens when thy die, but it doesn't have a view on the long-term development of humans.

Many religions say that humanity will drive itself to ruin and be cleansed by some cataclysm, so you should be happy. We're right on schedule.

To me most people need sense of a higher purpose. I don’t care what religion that this comes from as long as the belief includes sound morals. When men warp this message to put down others and serve a selfish agenda you are in trouble.

Wasn’t trying to hold the Bible up, I was simply trying to make the point that our judgements have an origin. And yes I agree that we are guided by conscience on certain moral issues, but the question stands, what is the origin of those opinions? Other societies such as those in Africa apparently think slavery is okay. So what makes you more right than them?

quote:

---

I’m singling out slavery

---

You keep claiming it's "immoral". Why? You have nothing but your personal feelings to base that claim on.