[gore3000]

Those who think it's peachy scaring people into morality or compassion by threatening them with hell if they don't--and holding out the carrot of heaven if they do--follow the written rules, are engaged in wishful thinking of mind-boggling dimension, in my humble opinion. That's not morality--that's an invitation to have a culture based on hypocrisy.

Seems to me that if those preaching religion and salvation do believe in what they say it is not hypocrisy.

[donh]

Those who think it's peachy scaring people into morality or compassion by threatening them with hell if they don't--and holding out the carrot of heaven if they do--follow the written rules, are engaged in wishful thinking of mind-boggling dimension, in my humble opinion. That's not morality--that's an invitation to have a culture based on hypocrisy.

Seems to me that if those preaching religion and salvation do believe in what they say it is not hypocrisy.

I didn't suggest that, although, from subsequent acts and long observation, I think it markedly true in many cases. Jim Baker comes to mind apropos my example. What I suggested is that the audience for this stuff has a preponderant population that considers it dispensible drivel that's good for camoflaging and aiding one's selfish intentions. How many people attend your church mostly because it's a good place to make business contacts or get dates, or because it's the only game in town on a quiet sunday? The count is uncomfortably high at every church I ever attended.