Guilty?

                        

Every time I come to this blog, I am intrigued. I learn new things, and in the process, I am amazed of how finite my mind really is. And how truly different human beings are. Which is why I can truly say that if all this can be attributed to chance and the bing bang...then to hell with it.
At times I wonder why Mr. Controversy asked me to participate in this blog. it is definitely not because I agree with him, nor because I am so knowledgeable about theology. It might have something to do with the fact that I have argued with him at every point, (even though he has a point in some of his blogs). Anyways, as I pointed out earlier, my expertise is not really in Theology. I am a christian, Yes, I did a lot of reading and study of world religions...yes...but this is not where I would debate to have any expertise. As I describe in my own blog "I am a self-prescribed boring person who loves to talk and dance.If I was a man, I imagine I would take a liking to the Pipe. Mainly because I would rather seat and have "discussions"on politics, History, and Football, rather than be out on the dance floor or buckling on who is most righteous. I am a contradiction at best." and I might add, as a self-prescribed rebel, I am no respecter of persons.

So at best, I am guilty of a lot of things- and mostly, guilty by association.
In this blog, I am going to look at religion from the standpoint I understand best- History. (later,it might be politics.)

You want the truth...YES RELIGION IS GUILTY. I mean really guilty of a lot of malicious and unspeakable acts. Guilty of a lot of persecutions and mass killings. Ask me, and I will probably be the first one to tell you that I am not proud of Christianity as "religion" now as a faith...thats a whole different matter. For centuries, people of all different religions have been killing mostly each other, over who has the monopoly on God. The crusades, the Holocaust, witch hunting, the inquisition,...just to name a few. Yes, we are guilty. The Christians went for the Muslims, and the Muslims went for the Christians, and the struggle goes on (Exhibit, the middle east- although now, they fight for ideals) So while that is going on, everyone is going after the Jews. So yes, I belong to an old tradition that is guilty of a lot of persecution.
That was a fast forward, so let us rewind and fast ward to history, back to Paul. Who was a persecutor of Christians before he became one. ( I am aware that, this is a bit contradictory, but I am specifically focused on Christians and not the Jews) In truth, Jews became the first persecutors of Christians. It was not until Nero that we have full accounts of this persecution. Some might recall this incident as the Great Fire of Rome. After that, there were records of persecutions in Lyon, and here there under all the different emperors. But only two of the emperors are worth noting, Maximinus, and Diocletian. We can attribute Diocletian and his friends Galerius, Maximian and Constanius, for the great stories we hear about the Christians being eaten by lions. Outside of Rome we have Shapur in Persia and of course the Germanic tribes. all in all to say, Christians had a couple of hundred years where they were the hottest meat on the market. And that saga continues to present. Communist China, USSR, Islamic Countries...lets just say its not cool to be a Christian. I can imagine that sooner than later, these persecutions will spread, and some of our close friends will be the ones driving the dagger through our hearts.
This is not to say that the Church is not guilty of its own demise so to speak. To this day, the Church, specifically, the catholic church remain the most influential and wealthy institution in the world. (you don't believe me, visit the Vatican city). They remain if not true to themselves, true to their history. Their influence is undeniable, their atrocities over the centuries, so being the case undeniable.
Religion and God have been used as a clutch by the worst of murderers, and the same, has been used to do a lot of good. So it is quiet understandable that a lot of people would doubt its credibility. It makes matters worse when we have those adherents who push people away by being "religious". It is a historical fact religion and especially Christianity has not been perfect.
However, this does not discredit its credibility. Because to prove the credibility of something by using philosophical arguments, or by pointing to science, or by talking about the common wisdom that exists due to observing people - all of which has a place and are valid to a point, they are not sufficient. To discredit religion for its atrocities can be justified, to discredit faith, because it doesn't make sense to the human mind, is not sufficient. Or maybe for some that is all they need.