Is religion the "opiate of the masses", -  or what?

 

Sacrilege!  Y’all all going to hell.

 

Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do

As you know, there are people who would react this way. I often wonder why some people are like that and others are not. I’m sure genetics has a lot to do with it but the environment and how you are reared obviously plays a role too.

5 hours ago, Troy said:

Sacrilege!  Y’all all going to hell.

As you know, there are people who would react this way.

Many of those people have reservations to the same destination. 🤣

 

The good news is that such a place (heaven and h8ll) doesn't exist and they are constructs of the human mind. 

 

I hope the opiate being fed to the masses and fear of eternal damnation and desire for eternal life teaches and motivates humans to love and take better care of each other.😎

If Jesus did exist, I believe he would've had an appreciation for irony. After all, his Daddy offers free will as an option. But exercising it can get you in a hell of a lot of trouble. 😏

 

That's Jesus!?

 

If we are said to be 'Born in Sin' then he came, he lived, he died, and etc. and we sin... 

 

On 4/26/2025 at 7:45 AM, ProfD said:

The good news is that such a place (heaven and h8ll) doesn't exist and they are constructs of the human mind. 

 

Speak for yourself.

It's a choice, to some extent. For those who want to go to Heaven, they might make it, but for those who don't, well, that will be a wish that will be easy to grant. 

 

Heaven is a reality for many living at large today, but for some of us, who have been born into a oppressive existence, heaven is hope.

The word 'Heaven' is so misunderstood thanks to the great opposer. 

'Heaven' in the term and concept of 'New Land' or 'New World' was what Columbus was after when he and other Europeans came to America, their new world. 

 

 

I would also suppose that if a person has spent most of his/her life in Chattel Slavery, being raped, etc. that would be a partial definition of Hell and damnation.

If a person went from being born in poverty and then given a life's sentence in prison, that would also be a partial definition of Hell and damnation.

It's a concept, IMO, to some extent. 

Many take life for granted and do not realize how some humans are literally 'born in sin' due to someone else causing them to be born in such a lot. 

 

On 4/26/2025 at 7:45 AM, ProfD said:

I hope the opiate being fed to the masses and fear of eternal damnation and desire for eternal life teaches and motivates humans to love and take better care of each other.😎

 

True, but no matter what, there has to be a higher power to help all humanity and offer relief for those that are born in a bad lot. 

I think having fear of eternal damnation is a healthy fear when you think about how some humans are born in a terrible predicament and encouraged to stay in that low estate. 

 

 

18 hours ago, Chevdove said:

Heaven is a reality for many living at large today, but for some of us, who have been born into a oppressive existence, heaven is hope.

 

True, but no matter what, there has to be a higher power to help all humanity and offer relief for those that are born in a bad lot. 

 

I think having fear of eternal damnation is a healthy fear when you think about how some humans are born in a terrible predicament and encouraged to stay in that low estate. 

Humans are born into conditions created by their fellow beings. That goes for everything good and bad in the world.

 

It only takes human benevolence to change a bad condition(s). Greed and hatred prevents it. 

 

Otherwise, people can be lifted out of poverty and despair and every other condition in the blink of an eye.

 

Doing so would be the work of a higher power.😎

It is said the kingdom of god resides within the individual. According to the Bible, Jesus said: "whatever I do, you can do."    

All religions promote the Golden Rule. 

Heavenly bliss is out there  just waiting for what is preached to be practiced .