Ways that religion is similar to government.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

It's funny how people say that church and state are separate, when in ideology and the way they're executed are very similar. I was thinking of listing sayings and terminologies that people use that convey a similar meaning of thought. Add onto that if you will.

"The government will take care of it." Compared to "God will take care of it."

This is a quote and a thought of learned helplessness and that people should rely on some large entity to "take care of them". Of course what really happens is that other people with resources end up footing the expense. It takes away individuality and personal responsibility and gives it to the collective.

"You didn't build that, the government made it possible." Compared to "You didn't accomplish anything on your own, God made it all possible."

This is another vicious one. It pretty much takes away individual accomplishment and merit and makes it about the collective doing it with a combination of "luck". This also gives them the ammunition to justify taking money.

"You became successful, so pay your fair share" compared to "You're successful so give something back."

This is yet another one. Not only is it blatant theft based on envy, but it assumes that people who become successful just take from society. Of course those who are receiving the "aid" aren't giving anything back; they are simply taking. Yet this is never a problem.


There are many more, but those are just a few to get the ball rolling.

[JACK-2]

So, I'm guessing you're not religious?

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Well I grew up and went to church and my grandfather is a pastor. I have no problem with others believing in spiritual things but I find that many of the religious "teachings" revolve around the same concept of thought the government uses. And it makes sense since religion was basically government for a long time in human history. I have no problem with basic concepts, but I believe religion falls back on the concept of "altruism" as good (sacrifice for the whole, you didn't accomplish that a higher power did "etc.) That with the lack of solid evidence allowed me to open my mind more.

One thing that bothered me the most was people using religion as a way to be "taken care of" of to cover for their own irresponsibility. I often hear people saying "God will take care of it", or "God will see me through" something when they put themselves in bad situations over and over again. I dislike when people do things like that to mask their own behavior.

I just believe in hard work, logic, and self responsibility if that makes sense. Just basic and pragmatic.

[JACK-2]

I can't blame you for your decision. Religion as an institution has ultimately failed in the west and many other parts of the world. Regardless of the good it has supposedly done, it's pointless if it fails to inspire people and lead them in the right direction. It's a broken institution, another similarity it has with government. Go figure.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Dec 18, 2013 22:09:54 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

I can't blame you for your decision. Religion as an institution has ultimately failed in the west and many other parts of the world. Regardless of the good it has supposedly done, it's pointless if it fails to inspire people and lead them in the right direction. It's a broken institution, another similarity it has with government. Go figure.

I think people have their own morals and beliefs and some believe in a spiritual thing to believe in themselves more. I've looked into it, but like I said I just believe in the golden rule and my privacy.

I think people use religion like a Chinese menu, they pick and choose what's good for them, just like the laws in this country are twisted for someone else's purposes.

[JACK-2]

Dec 18, 2013 22:16:43 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

I think people have their own morals and beliefs and some believe in a spiritual thing to believe in themselves more. I've looked into it, but like I said I just believe in the golden rule and my privacy.

I think people use religion like a Chinese menu, they pick and choose what's good for them, just like the laws in this country are twisted for someone else's purposes.

Well, that's one way of putting it. Religion gets a bad rap, but then again it sorta deserves it.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Dec 18, 2013 22:19:17 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

Dec 18, 2013 22:16:43 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

I think people have their own morals and beliefs and some believe in a spiritual thing to believe in themselves more. I've looked into it, but like I said I just believe in the golden rule and my privacy.

I think people use religion like a Chinese menu, they pick and choose what's good for them, just like the laws in this country are twisted for someone else's purposes.

Well, that's one way of putting it. Religion gets a bad rap, but then again it sorta deserves it.

Well people can believe in things but these organized institutions tend to be another beast entirely. I'm sure you have spiritual thoughts, but would you need to always be around a church for your journey?

[JACK-2]

Dec 18, 2013 22:24:56 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

Well people can believe in things but these organized institutions tend to be another beast entirely. I'm sure you have spiritual thoughts, but would you need to always be around a church for your journey?

One of the benefits of a religious institution is the body of knowledge it's developed from generations of experience. I don't believe my personal spiritual experience can rival that. However, corruption makes that body of wisdom worthless. So, yeah.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Dec 18, 2013 22:28:07 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

Dec 18, 2013 22:24:56 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

Well people can believe in things but these organized institutions tend to be another beast entirely. I'm sure you have spiritual thoughts, but would you need to always be around a church for your journey?

One of the benefits of a religious institution is the body of knowledge it's developed from generations of experience. I don't believe my personal spiritual experience can rival that. However, corruption makes that body of wisdom worthless. So, yeah.

I think humans learn and pass on knowledge by nature even outside of religion. It's how we have advanced. As they say knowledge doubles every 18 months or so. That means we learn at an incredible rate.

[JACK-2]

Dec 19, 2013 3:11:34 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

think humans learn and pass on knowledge by nature even outside of religion.

It most certainly does.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Dec 19, 2013 3:20:50 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

Dec 19, 2013 3:11:34 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

think humans learn and pass on knowledge by nature even outside of religion.

It most certainly does.

One of the reasons we've become so dominant.