I was shocked and may have been a bit rude

[TigressDem]

72. Funny thing is I have the best convos with Atheists, Pagans et al about Christianity

As long as I am open minded and not trying to convert anyone, I get to learn about things I didn't know and have even been educated about the Church itself... and been forced to dig and research as well.

My core belief is that the example set by the actions of Christ, even if they are mythical, are ideals to aspire to in the way we treat each other, take care of our own issues and cut others some slack for theirs.

His words make sense to me and inspire me.

The other claptrap that people put up around that doesn't seem genuine to me if it conflicts with the words or deeds of Christ.

AND a lot of other faiths move in the same patterns, treat others well, take care of yourself and your loved ones, don't sweat the small stuff, make changes when you need to be a better person.

Any moral based philosophy gets you into that same zone.

The world is a better place when people behave in a civilized fashion.

For better or worse, the Church and various forms of belief in something more than our travel from dust to dust have given people reason to work together. When humans were barely civilized (and in some places we see signs of devolving - MTG, Orange MOT) the Church held a kinder authority than some. And at times the Church went off the rails.

Power corrupts and when an institution is huge, it can become corrupt.