You know what? I think we're having trouble here because terms weren't defined. Clearly, we don't use words in the same way. Here's how I use the terms being used:
Religion = a set of practices + a mythology (often, though not always, taken to be literal history) to explain and/or illustrate the practices + a specific way of viewing the world and humanity.
Theism = belief in a God-concept, distinct from atheism, which is non-belief in a God-concept.
Therefore, theistic religions contain God-concepts of some sort.
Any time a prefix is added to the definition of the word theism, it cannot negate the word "theism." Therefore "pantheism" is not a negation of "theism", but an addition to it.
Deism = a concept wherein there was a Creator of some sort, which can be theistic or not, which no longer interferes. Therefore, if a deist believes the Creator was a God, that person is a theist. On the other hand, if a deist believes the Creator was aliens, that person is not a theist.
Christianity = a religion based around the worship of Jesus Christ, containing many denominations (some of which are almost individual religions separate from mainstream Christianity, such as Mormonism), each containing their own interpretations on the teachings of Jesus.
When I use these words, this is what I think of. These are primarily based on my own studies and insights.
Now, when we apply this definition of religion, it turns out that religion in general cannot be called good or bad. Specific religions can be called good or bad depending on their results. Christianity, based on this definition, is too broad to be called good or bad, but specific forms of it can be, depending on their harm vs. help.
Plus, Christianity is based on the worship of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it cannot be used as a microcosm for all religions, because in this, it differs from other religions.
Therefore, the argument that religion is a bad thing to base life on based on some of the more traditional Christian teachings, which not all denominations follow, let alone other religions, is false.
Religion = a set of practices + a mythology (often, though not always, taken to be literal history) to explain and/or illustrate the practices + a specific way of viewing the world and humanity.
Theism = belief in a God-concept, distinct from atheism, which is non-belief in a God-concept.
Therefore, theistic religions contain God-concepts of some sort.
Any time a prefix is added to the definition of the word theism, it cannot negate the word "theism." Therefore "pantheism" is not a negation of "theism", but an addition to it.
Deism = a concept wherein there was a Creator of some sort, which can be theistic or not, which no longer interferes. Therefore, if a deist believes the Creator was a God, that person is a theist. On the other hand, if a deist believes the Creator was aliens, that person is not a theist.
Christianity = a religion based around the worship of Jesus Christ, containing many denominations (some of which are almost individual religions separate from mainstream Christianity, such as Mormonism), each containing their own interpretations on the teachings of Jesus.
When I use these words, this is what I think of. These are primarily based on my own studies and insights.
Now, when we apply this definition of religion, it turns out that religion in general cannot be called good or bad. Specific religions can be called good or bad depending on their results. Christianity, based on this definition, is too broad to be called good or bad, but specific forms of it can be, depending on their harm vs. help.
Plus, Christianity is based on the worship of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it cannot be used as a microcosm for all religions, because in this, it differs from other religions.
Therefore, the argument that religion is a bad thing to base life on based on some of the more traditional Christian teachings, which not all denominations follow, let alone other religions, is false.
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