Easter Is Coming in 8 Weeks

Quote: FrGamble

Of all the falsehoods and exaggerations you have written this might be the greatest.

There was no 'dilemma' until religion created
one. Why can't you see that? They created the
problem and the solution at the same time.
Sin did not exist until a myth was created to
'prove' it. If you don't tell a person he's a sinner
and breaking gods rules, he would never
guess it in a hundred years. He's NOT breaking
any rules, why would he think he was.

To the godless, religion is so transparent. Like
glass..

It's the height of blindness and downright offensive to look at the current situation of humanity and deny there is a problem.

Quote: FrGamble

It's the height of blindness and downright offensive to look at the current situation of humanity and deny there is a problem.

You can say that for every snapshot of time
throughout history. But we're advancing,
things will continue to get better. Go back
just 1000 years, you really want to live then
instead of now? Average lifespan was 40,
no medicine, no medical facilities, half of
the kids died before the age of 5. People
lived in unreal poverty, nobody bathed
because they were superstitious, the
Church ran Europe with an iron boot.

Today would look like paradise to them.

Quote: Evenbob

You can say that for every snapshot of time
throughout history.

Fine, there has always been a problem and still is today.

Quote: FrGamble

Fine, there has always been a problem and still is today.

It's just less and less severe. And always
will be. Your job is to cater to the
superstitious stragglers, they always
need help. Keep the myth alive as long
as possible for them.

We both realize that the problem with humanity is not a myth, whether it is less severe now or in what direction this problem is heading is up for debate, but let's stay clear that there is a problem and there always has been a problem. It is this problem I call original sin, you might have another name for it or explanation, but it is not a made up or invented problem.

Quote: FrGamble

It is this problem I call original sin, you might have another name for it or explanation, but it is not a made up or invented problem.

Yes it is.

Humanity is not fallen, broken, etc. Humanity has climbed upwards from a wild animal stage (literally) to civilization, improving themselves over time. The improvement is not steady, and there are setbacks from time to time.

This view is not just different from yours, it's the exact opposite. The views are mutually exclusive, too. They make us see things differently in almost every respect.

For example, I regard marriage equality as a very positive step, as the realization that recognizing the rights of other people does no harm to anyone and it's the right and moral thing to do. You haven't expressed a view on this, but other Catholic officials have. Some Protestants have, too. You'd think letting two women marry each other is a harbinger of the Apocalypse, or worse.

Why do we need to continue to climb upwards if we have not fallen?

Oh, your view on Original Sin also means there is a target point for humanity to reach. I don't believe there is one. The future is wide open. We will become what we wish to become.

I like to think current trends will continue, and we'll become more tolerant, more peaceful, less violent, more interested in leisure, more interested in learning, more interested in technology. Though some current trends, like doing away with privacy, are worrisome.

In this you might say "aren't you setting a target?" the answer is simple: Yes, I am. but it's a target I'm choosing, not one arbitrarily set in a myth thousands of years ago.

Quote: FrGamble

Why do we need to continue to climb upwards if we have not fallen?

As the scorpion told the turtle: it's our nature.