It doesn't seem right that in the case of both Christianity and Islam eternal torment awaits the nonbeliever
How messed-up is that?
shareBut if there is no penalty for non-belief how do you force people to toe the line ?
PS: Have you named yourself after Angular Merkin ?
Excellent point. But it seems highly disingenuous on the part of Muslims to call Allah merciful and Jesus loving on the part of Christians when eternal torment is neither. But, as you observe, how do control the masses with Gods who aren't coercive?
shareWEll the Judeo-Christian-Muslim religions were established a long time ago when most people were even more unsophisticated than they are now. I imagine that intelligent people (who were in the minority of course) back then had the problem of how to control their barbarian brothers and sisters and create order out of chaos. I think religion was the means they struck upon to do that, and the rest is history.
Mind you I am not saying that religion has no utility, in fact I think it provides society with an ethical framework for living. Take it away and what do you have ?
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For the record Jesus is a decent chunk of Islam too. Not the son of god but he's got a grave waiting for him next to Muhammad's (PBUH) upon his return.
shareHow do you establish a new religion and convert followers if you ignore what they already believe? Hence such similarities or continuations in the monotheistic religions.
shareI get the mechanics of it Ssl, I'm just making sure AngularTurnip is aware of Jesus' place in Islam.
shareDon't ignore,you just have to change the story a bit
share