Religion as a tool of advertising, human history, government, and politics are in view, today. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “prayasmangurung” (Level 2 with 552 points, a member since September 18, 2014) posted the following:
Isnt religion/Christianity just a political tool?
Religion has always been used as a means of control and building Empire, which is obvious through History, but people think more of it. Right wing religious conservatives are using religion every day to influence politics in the United States & to take on a Christian visage in order to woo thep voters. Indeed they managed to get a right wing religious conservative into the White House for 8 terrible years, using religion to control the masses and of claiming a divine mandate for their actions
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Kingdom Now and One To Come? (09/05/2014); Comfort? (09/06/2014); Separation of Church and State (07/04/2014); The Point of Wisdom? (07/05/2014); Doing GOD’s Plan? (02/20/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Issues for Children’s Church? (04/06/2013); My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); Wanting To Have Our Way (03/09/2013)
“prayasmangurung”, here are a few points you should not overlook:
(1.) In the same way your family and friends are more to you than just personal property (we say, chattel, slaves), puppets or statistics that you manipulate and use for your own pleasure, spiritual relationships, values and understandings are to have place within a believer as their own life purpose, and standard to generate and recognize meaning.
(2.) In the same way we see advertisements on television that use images in our shared experience that come from family, football, and even sexual intimacy, there are those that use imagery and language associated with spiritual beliefs. That there are those who use familiar ideas and themes to exploit or take advantage of us should not condemn family, football, or sexual intimacy.
(3.) Christianity is a very rich and sophisticated belief system that requires acceptance of totally new definitions and orientations to life experience that go beyond ones carnal, material and social reality. Concepts and principles that exist as “spirit” must be internalized, relied upon, and continually given expression. Inseparable aspects of divine makeup must be realized as they appear within oneself and others. Included are faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, truthfulness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) As surely as we routinely dismiss out-and-out lies, insults, and extraneous ideas that are irrelevant when we are seeking to learn and acquire correct information whereby we gain and have spiritual benefit, most critics of religion and spiritual truth should be ignored, because they are “outsiders” and non-believers lacking mature spiritual experience and insight.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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