Is this just part of the age old strategy by religion to control people and keep them ignorant?

[Anonymous]

[Lliam]

Going back to the earliest religions, it was about control and social cohesion. Gods justified punishment for stepping out of line and also killing enemies.

[Lliam]

Thank you for the MHO. ✌️

[beefcakebradybatson]

And was used to justify enslaving and later Jim Crowing us.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Which is why so many religious fanatics are dumbs**ts !!!

[Asker]

Excellent question!

[Anonymous]

The Tree was a Test of Trust, Not a Pursuit of Knowledge: The tree represented the necessary limits of human freedom. It was a "line in the sand" to see if humans would trust God as the ultimate source of good and evil rather than deciding for themselves. The Knowledge was Intended for God Alone: The knowledge forbidden was not mere information, but the "legal authority" or capability to define what is good and evil. Only God is the unconditioned good, so the knowledge of good and evil belongs only to Him. A "Spiritual Infancy" State: Many Church Fathers, such as Theophilus of Antioch, interpreted that Adam and Eve were in a state of "spiritual infancy". They were not prepared for the knowledge of evil, which brought misery and severed their communion with God. Purpose of the Tree: The tree was placed in the garden as a test of obedience, which allowed for true love and free will, rather than an instinctive, animal-like existence. Misconception of "Knowledge": The fruit did not literally "give" them knowledge; rather, the act of eating it was a sinful act of disobedience that resulted in them experiencing the evil they had previously been shielded from. In essence, Catholic teaching holds that God desired for humans to know good through obedience and to avoid evil, not to know evil by experiencing it.

[Levin]

Yeah, I mean, nuanced thinking is important.

For example, the inverted commas around the 'educated' is the salient part in the first sign. In a certain sense, the more educated you become, the more stupid you become.

We have to recognise that we're in a certain paradigm, namely scientific materialism, and the more you fall into it, the more stupid you become. Covid and the 'expert class' were the most obvious manifestation of that. That's not to say that I'm advocating uncritical free rein for organisation religion. But as I say, nuance...

If you want to be free, then you have to think outside of the box outside of all paradigms.

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Those signs are what's wrong with Christianity.

Get a Bible and turn to Proverbs 4:7. It says, "Wisdom in the Principal thing, therefore, get Wisdom and with all your getting, get Understanding."

In fact, the book of Proverbs along with Psalms and Ecclesiastes promotes education and wisdom hundreds of times in the text.

Christians get this "dumber is better" doctrine from PAUL in the New Testament, who literally called Wisdom "foolishness". Paul is a false prophet, as was Jesus himself.

[captain_voidwalker]

Nice collection of photoshoped signs. most Christians aren't like that, sure they're probably some crazy fanatics but thats true of any group. Religion has done a lot of good for society also. It helped form a moral core around which our modern laws evolved. It helped make communities and promoted helping your fellow man. And I acknowledge that it's dome some bad things as well such as the inquisition. But for every 1 crazed inquisition type there were thousands that helped the poor and the sick and the down trodden in the name of god.
Just saying dont use a one size fits all glove here it's a far more nuanced subject.

[Asker]

The argument that religion is required for morality is a weak one. We have too many examples of child abusers and thieves who were the clothes of religious leaders. They have caused untold suffering and have gotten away with it because they hide behind religion! It makes me sick to my stomach! On top of that, these assholes don't even pay taxes!

[captain_voidwalker]

Its not required but it helps, also there's just as many shitty people outside of religion

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

It's also a weak argument because moral philosophy predates monotheism.

[Zack-Bann]

It’s always funny when you consider the fact that God has allowed eduction to exist in the mortal plane.
If God is all powerful he would have taken it away


But the hyper religious types always pick and chose what’s the work of God and what’s the work of the devil.
As thought they have a clue.


And somehow the “work of god” is always in their own personal favor

[Jessica405]

That was the whole idea of religion and marriage. To control people and to punish them for transgressions.

[loveslongnails]

As Marx said, Karl not Groucho, "religion is the opiate of the masses". How much blood has been shed in the name of "free thinkers" vs in the name of God by whichever religion you choose? Not even close.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I think those signs are made up, I also hope they are made up.

There's a chance they aren't, and even if they are, the notions stated on those signs are certainly taught to some people.

So it's saddening in both cases lol

[Dargil]

Some religions do that. The Catholic preserved civilization through the dark ages in scholarly monasteries. This is likely coming again in the future when Western Culture collapses. We should be ready.

[Asker]

The Catholic church also came up with the Inquisition and created horrible tortures that are still used to this day around the world! They have also been doing a wonderful job protecting sick child abusers for several centuries now!

[Dargil]

Your rant does not negate what I said.

[Asker]

Your ignorance doesn't negate what I said.

[Dargil]

Feel the hate.

[Asker]

Feel the ignorance.

[katiesmuff]

I do not believe those signs actually existed on true church sign boards.

[Asker]

Well, sometimes reality sucks!

[Snakeyes7]

I can understand that argument with the Catholic church during the reformation era but any religion that allows the common people access to their holy scriptures I would hardly say is trying to control people.

[Pohjolan]

Educated people might not believe at face value that they have to obey someones invisible sky friend.

Funny thing is that the same people who have sky friends mock those who collect chakra crystals.

[SmokinAces2000]

Religion is the biggest and most normalized cult that has ever existed

[Anonymous]

Yes, religions (especially Abrahamic) keep people ignorant.

[LiamJHayden]

Cults, yes. Religions one can freely leave, no.

[Asker]

The stain of religious indoctrination permeates people's lives on a deep unconscious level. For most people, it starts in childhood. It makes no difference if you think you "freely leave." You can see the signs everywhere (especially in politics and education). It's carried from one generation to the next. Even atheists aren't totally free of the contamination.

[slatyb]

Yes, it is.

[spartan55]

Yes, let us pray.