If we're talking strictly about the origins of all these religions, I'd argue that the difference is in sincerity. The older religions promised something and actually intended to live up to that promise. Scientology promises something enticing (it seems to change frequently), but never really intends to fullfill that. Instead they use lies, force, and intimidation to keep people from leaving. Those older religions all have ended up using the same tactics, but not when they first originated.
i wasn't speaking about any specific religion.
i suggest you read my post again. i never spoke as to which religion is correct or that any religion is correct. i said it's harder to instantly dismiss a religion that has been in existence since recorded history than to dismiss one that started 60 or 200 years ago.basically existed since the beginning of recorded history? I'm happy to hear you believe in Hinduism! that is about 1000 years older than christianity. Or even judiasm! that's clearly older! Although there was still history recorded about 10k years before jesus =\ 2k is almost 12k, right?!
i know what the flying spaghetti monster is and its purpose.
no it doesn't. that says nothing about free will. just because we don't know the exact data for everything doesn't mean that everything isn't already predetermined.
right. i said a religion. that could refer to any religion. if you'd been reading the thread, you would have seen me mention 4 religions by name that i said were much harder to dismiss than scientology or mormomism. for the purposes of this thread, it really isn't relevant that i single out one.
i don't think it should be too difficult to figure out why i would say that.What with the whole Jesus being a jew first...
The simplest solution is usually the right one. So a super powerful, all knowing being controls everything we don't understand? And santa claus brings me my christmas presents too!
I will admit that there could be some kind of god that kick started things, the one that winds the gears and let's it go. But I have yet to see evidence of an active god, that plays a role constantly.
they obviously aren't the same though judaism is part of christianity.
Ok but I'm assuming you come from a scientific bent is that true? If that assumption is correct (it may not be) then please point me to some scientific data that shows evidence of Free Will. To my knowledge all the science we have shows the opposite to be true, that is to say, that everything is predestined due to physical laws. This would include this internet conversation/dialogue about Free Will or the lack thereof.
Uh, I'm not sure most Jews would agree with this...if you mean the Old Testament is derived from the Hebrew Torah you are correct. If you are saying Jews are Christians I think a few Rabbi's would strongly disagree.
no, i'm not saying that jews are christians.
i'm not sure how either of those statements have to do with anything i said.
yes. you can have judaism without christianity but you can't have christianity without judaism. judaism is it's own thing and jews are not christians, but at the same time christianity(in very basic terms) is judaism plus jesus.
awesome. that is unrelated to my statements and isn't any sort of comparison at all.
