What the recent gay marriage legalisation in the United States has brought about is the rekindling of the eternal faith vs the state debate.
Most religious people, especially those from the Abrahamic religions, love to say that they deserve a sort of special treatment because their worldview is what has shaped our societies. They like to tell us that without their bible and their religion we would have devoured each other to oblivion, and that religion is the only thing that has reined in man’s excesses.
Ignoring the inconvenient fact that a great deal of man’s worst wars and persecutions have been in the name of God, that worldview still remains factually incoherent. The bible is not some great book of moral teachings.
Whilst the Old Testament is possibly the most repugnant book ever written, Leviticus and Deuteronomy definitely are.
So whenever someone tells you our morality comes from Judeo-Christian values, they are selling you a load of bollocks. To demonstrate that, I am going to take the most often held up document of morality, the Ten Commandments, and prove that they scarcely guide our lives.
I would prove to you that they barely guide the lives of Christians themselves, so there is no way that we derive our morality and laws from them.
I present to you, the not so moral Ten Commandments.
Did you know…
Only three of the Ten Commandments are actually codified into laws by societies today… ‘thou shalt not steal’, ‘thou shalt not kill’, and ‘thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour’ (perjury)
The first three commandments just deal with God belligerently stating his supremacy and pettiness. “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me” He also said not to make any statues to worship, and not to take his name in vain.
So these are just God going “hey folks, I’m your God. I love you, but I’m also very jealous. You look at another God wrong, make a statue to worship, even say my name at the wrong time: and you’re so screwed”
That’s three of the Ten Commandments, 30%, spent telling us about God and his jealousy and pettiness. I am not seeing the moral lessons here that we have inculcated into our societies?
Let’s get to the rest. Keep the Sabbath, not a LAW.
Honour they father and mother, not a LAW. Basic commonsense, determined by how they treat you- of course.
Don’t commit adultery, not a LAW. How else do you explain the millions who get cuckolded every damn year?
And my favourite, the one commandment that managed to condense slavery, and male chauvinism, whilst grouping the women with the slaves and ‘thy neighbour’s A$$’: all in one ‘NOT A LAW’ commandment.
“Thou shall not covet thy neighbour’s house. Thou shall not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his a$$, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s”
In there is a tacit approval of slavery (don’t covet the man or maidservants), and the worst sort of male chauvinism. You’ll notice everything in that commandment refers to your neighbour’s properties, which includes his slaves, his a$$ (donkey), and his wife!
So it’s actually an insult to the human intellect and the progress we’ve made when anyone says this is the foundation of our morality and laws. It is so not.
As I often say, people are good not because of, but in spite of their religious beliefs. We are good people because we most times ignore what our holy books tell us.
If you think I’m lying, check out the punishments for breaking some of the commandments, as stated out in the bible, and see who follows those anymore.
‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord; whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death’. (Exodus 35:2) Nobody keeps the Sabbath law anymore except Jews, and nobody kills anybody for working on the Sabbath.
‘And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10), Yeah right. Staunch Christians, even pastors, commit adultery all the time. If you cannot keep to the general laws, at least respect the Ten Commandments. Nobody does, and nobody gets put to death for it.
Those first three commandments I mentioned, about not worshipping other gods and not taking the lord’s name in vain, what does God say about those?
“I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me”
Damn God, why so prickly. Still, the Muslims, Hindus, any other religion basically, and the Catholics break these all the time. Where’s the four generation punishments man?
And do not get me started on saying the name in vain thing…it’s pretty much fashionable at this point.
‘Honour thy father and mother’, I do not know the punishment to that. I do know however, many Christians who revel in not doing so. In some circumstances justified, in others not so much.
What am I saying here? Only three of these 10 are real laws. The rest are guidelines that Christians themselves do not particularly follow, as shown above. So if no one follows them, and the punishments prescribed for them are also not followed, where is the justification for saying they inform or guide society’s moralities?
If these were the most important list of ten laws ever given, why are there actually so few laws in them? If God is eternal, he should have known 2,000 years later; we would discover virtues like free speech and libertarianism and not spend his first three laws outlawing freedom of speech and association.
Also, there’s no space for some of the other basic human laws that if you asked a three year old today, they would tell you. There’s no space for don’t torture, or don’t hurt you children, or don’t oppress those who are different from you.
There can be no set of ten laws further from human society and morality than the Ten Commandments. They have as much to do with our current setup of laws and morality as ancient Greek paganism- probably even less.
True though!
No one really lives her life by the Bible because some of the stuff in there are appalling as you stated. But there are good parts of the Bible too which inform people’s morals
When will GC and its staff stop with their anti-Christian antics? We get it, you do not like nor believe in Christianity. But it’s awfully funny how you waste so much time paying attention to a religion in which you do not believe in. And please do not bring in ‘The Christian believers’ nonsense. They’re not forcing you to convert nor are they shoving the Bible down your throats!
You are so right. If you do not believe in God that is fine by me but there is no reason to negate the feelings of people that do.
Exactly!
Are you smart at all? Do you know how much time is spent to pump sense into fools head before they realize? What GC is doing is the best ever to happen to this site. Pure education and it is only fools who don’t like education or their positions challenged.
Your reply to this article says it all.
When you don’t like something, you have to spend time educating people on it and the dangers.
But you are far loSt in the darkness to read and make sense.
This is brilliant piece from GC; far better than those stupid nadia Buari and others articles people like you love
Some of us come here to read the real long articles like this one. Not the shallow Sandra Ankobiah things that may make you happy.
You don’t like it, go hug the transformer
So GC should stop writing some articles because you and a bunch of losers don’t like it or have no arguments against their intelligent pieces?
That is so smart; can I ask you question? What is so special about your religion that they should stop writing about it.
Mad person never see danger coming,GC continue everything is ok for you this is why you’re talking trash to God,but one day this life will remind you of your status as a simple human being.I pity you alot
These people are just delusional.The last time I checked no one has forced anyone into Christianity or to believe in the Almighty God.So what’s this fruitless campaign really about?U preach to us to leave gays alone and mind our own business but u can’t seem to follow your own rules by leaving Christians alone. Very hypocritical.
I find ghanaian Christians uneducated and ignorant. Leave us alone is answer to this thought provoking article? Fools.
Nii, bring more and show them their stupidity. The white slave master bring his religion and today you peoole have ignorantly made it the most important thing in life.
If you could not read let me break it down for you. That article just made an a33 out of your so called ten commandment. It is useless in our world today and even in the life of you the christians.
Instead of these people mounting good talks against this or leave that thing called christianity, they are begging to be left alone to be kept enslaved.
Clement if you have a problem with christianity and God in general this is your problem we don’t care,so we should,keep quiet while,this atheist insults our belief? we are asked do not judge gay people or others people beliefs and people don’t want to leave us with our beliefs? do you think you’re smart?:
Christianity was present in Africa well before the white persons presence in Africa,christianity have been in Africa since the 10 century in Ethiopia,and Ethiopia have been the only country in Africa western people have been able to colonized,the only one in the entire,so shut up your mouth if christianity could make enslavement easier so Ethiopia would have been very easy to colonize and not the only countrie to stand against the white domination.
Plus in the bible you can find many African’s heros,queen of Shebah,Moshe born and raised in Africa,Marc one of Jesus disciple was also African,Simone of Cyrène the guy who help Jesus carry is cross and many more.Moreover christianity is not an european thing,christianity was born in Orient not in Europe,european were pagans before converting to christianity ,have ever of the gods of patheons? you think you’re smart and yet you know nothing just an empty barrel making noise.You do you think you are? can you give eternal life to someone?just a mere human being a clueless person.
Leave people alone if they want to be christians this is their choice you don’t have anything to say about that,our souls are not yours ok mind your own business,you’re a simple human being what kind of salvation can you give to a human soul? you’re talking as if you had power are you God??leave people alone Jare.After all who is forcing you to go to church or read the bible?? some people just like to make uneccessary noise,how does people faith in Christ offends you? is your feet they use to go to church or you eyes they use to read bible?is your mouth they use to worship God?mind your own soul my friend,you’re not better than us .
I am educated enough probably more than yourself.If believing in God is stupid or ignorant I would like to remain in that state forever.At least I’m “stupid” enough to know that the world didn’t just appear from space.Keep your so called knowledge to yourself.No one has forced u to become a Christian or believe in God and stop disturbing us with your insecurities.As to why u these atheists still believe you’re the wisest and most knowledgeable people in the world still baffles me.
There is obviously a reason why many of us has stopped commenting on this site even though we really enjoyed coming to this site at some point in time….and i’ve also realize the rate of commenting has declined over time….now you can’t come for God almighty and his people like that…YOU WILL LOOSE…#FACT…why has the devil sent you to corrupt the mind of christians? u have your opinion, and those who believe in Christ also have their opinion…we’re all entitled to our opinion, as they say opinions are like noses….is it by force that one must take ur education seriously…u can’t come out and call people names simply because they share different ideology…why have u chosen to attack the christian religion only on your site, and not the other religions…this shows that u have deep issues with christians…because the christian religion is not the only religion….let me ask you, have u ever had a personal closeness relationship with God? Please search deep within…Christians haven’t ask u to educate us, so stop educating us with ur ideologies…some of us are equally very educated, and its offensive to attack us on what we choose to believe…and lastly, when Jesus Christ The Messiah came, he took away the law (which is the 10 commandments) and gave us grace…For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes (Roman 10:4). So we live under his love, mercy and grace…you are talking of things of the old testament…though he came to fulfill the law, he gave us grace, which means we are not subjected to the law under Christ…For the law was giving to Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John1:17)…REPENT and leave Christians to believe in their God…talk abt other religion…..thanks….
I think Chris has said he doesn’t really care about the many silly comments, and he has even contemplated on closing the comment boxes. He would prefer intelligent discussions to shallow comments when it comes to such important issues, so actually the comments are not important to this site.
The comment boxes is for the readers to share their opinions; it does not dictate the direction of the site and it doesn’t impact the readership. We care more about readers than millions of insulting and non contributory comment which has become a hallmark of the gossip pieces.
Of course we encourage conversation on this site but what we encourage most is the the difficult conversations such as these ones. It is not of Ghanaian nature to hold conversations on difficult subjects, many things remain a taboo and GC stands for the total opposite.
We encourage discussions and God is not exempted. So if you are well educated as you say and won’t want your religion challenged, subjected to vigorous evaluation or critically trashed; then where you got your education may have failed to teach you that. Every ideology ought to be challenged and trashed and defended by the believers, in fact, we have a duty to promote that exchange.
It’s a big lost to anyone who doesn’t encourage free discussion and run away.
We understand some (perhaps you) want all day gossip but we have millions of people who come here for the various ideas and to read such things. So we are not ready to serve one group of persons.
Personally, I wish some of the people we call celebrities are never mentioned because they are a disgrace to me, but you think Chris and GC will stop that to serve just me or a few others?
We have a pastor who actually preaches via videos on here each week, promoting Christianity. So it is not that GC accepts only one view and if you have know GC well, it is that platform which says it all and uncensored.
If you care to know, we will continue to share all ideas and criticize those necessary; from religion to entertainment and from politics to philosophy. You can either join the discussion or just keep quiet and watch (which will be your lost and not those having the conversations or sharing their opinions).
For the conversation, we won’t stop it. Some years ago, it was a taboo to challenge slavery and many of the well established but diabolical ideas.
All around the world, religion is discussed with vigor from the NY Times to Salon, this is the case. But in Ghana, as usual, it is becoming a taboo and GC won’t be part of that.
So it’s up to you to engage in healthy discussions, share ideas, criticize and evaluate everything including God or just stay in your corner. But don’t think we will stop the conversation because of a group’s disdain of it.
Similarly, we won’t stop fighting for the rights of women, children, homosexuals, the disabled and others because you or someone hates that, especially when it comes to homosexuals.
Good luck, the world is a world full of ideas and we discuss all of them from intelligent perspectives. You can intelligently challenge ideas or just stop to engage with them and mostly, those who do the latter become the losers.
Ironically, you want us to talk about other religions and not yours? That is a dishonest ending to your piece. If we find relevance to other religion or a writer well knowledgeable in Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and realize that a lot of our readers share in such ideas, we will love to discuss those too.
Have a good day and don’t become like most Ghanaians who hate their views intellectually challenged or discussed. We live in a world of ideas!
Thank you GC staff. you are making me smile. Come for a hug. Ghanaians are hypocrites and truely unintellgent and not opened to discussions. That is why our country is not moving forward.
Look at germany, usa, uk and the many countries that is opened to ideas with less religious people and see the progress. Compare to africa where people worship God day and night and see their progress and even their behaviour.
It is understandable to have discussions, however, for me, that has not been the case on this site…sometimes, the articles are almost plain insults to Christians/ghanaian Christians for believing or following their God. And that is where i disagree…ideologies can always be challenged without insults…Christianity is not being shoved under anyone’s throat, and your ideology shouldn’t be shoved down other’s throat (and these are based on other posts on this particular religion)…and yes you have every right to discuss any topic you deem fit…i was just reminding you of other religions to talk abt because its one sided at this point…it makes sense for an unbeliever to not defend or chastise God, but its heart breaking when Christians/believers are not also defending Him…plus, this article is being one-sided. Again, the law died with Jesus The Messiah, and he brought to us Grace…Through Christ, Christians do not suffer the punishments of the Law, because of His grace…it is those who leave under the law, that will go through that punishment (The Jews)….Good Luck to you as well…Thanks..
Here is the problem, what you find offensive may not be offensive to the writer or others. To some people, questioning their beliefs in itself is offensive to them; does that mean we should not question their beliefs? No.
So when it comes to insults and offensiveness, that is allowed in every discussion. I am sure what you wrote may offend someone else. It doesn’t mean you should not say it.
And the one sided article, why don’t you write your own for publication defending God or beliefs? Because, those writing for GC against religion will not stop because you are not defending it.
I don’t know if I have to tell you this but to be frank, these articles on religion are the most read on GC. It’s is very interesting to majority of the readers and if you are not writing in to defend your beliefs or your God, then surely those writing the opposite side are winning by the number of people reading them.
We discontinued unpopular columns on this site and the fact that religion is popular on the global scale means it is popular among Ghanaians too. The problem is, Ghanaians are scared to discuss this but since GC opened the gate, millions are reading these articles.
So for the site, it is the readership that wins. In total on GC and on every website, only about 0.5 percent of the readers comment; so the fact that people are scared to comment or not commenting does not mean they are not reading.
People are surely enjoying these articles and learning a lot. which is, what we want to achieve. The discussion/comment box is for the readers, it’s up to them to make use of it or not. For us the writers employed here, we will continue to do our jobs.
I am a catholic and to be frank I am not that knowledgeable in the Bible so I can’t debate any of these guys on these issues, I mean Chris and Nii and others. The arguments these guys go for are deep. They have read almost every book so if you feel you have some good counter points, nothing stops you from sending in readers’ mail once a while. We will all learn something.
This is what the platform is for.
Did you actually read the article before commenting sister? It is not even about grace or whatever. I was religious like you but the day my eyes opened was when I snapped out of this BS.
The article is about the argument that we get our morals or laws from the Bible. So it argues that the ten commandments are not really anything extra ordinary and shows with the law the evidence.
Now here you are ranting being educated and couldn’t read to understand. GC has a lot of professors behind their computers who dont read or cant read.
No offense intend before you come and kill me. Going for the school run.
Huh? u clearly didn’t get my comment…and YES i did read the article…”The article is about the argument that we get our morals or laws from the Bible.” Who are the “WE”, Christians, or? And i’m stating that, christians don’t live under the law but grace through Christ Jesus…if Christians were to live under the law, then there wouldn’t be the need for Jesus Christ (who saved us from the punishment of the law)…so i don’t understand your confusion…thanks for commenting though…
This seems like the biggest joke I have heard in a century. So if Christians do not live under the laws, and grace is in charge meaning, the laws are not really relevant today; why is homosexualism a sin? Can you explain that part to me or there is exception to this grace?
We don’t have to necessary follow the laws because of the grace so I think you are saying, but how come when it comes to homosexuals, we have to all of a sudden follow the law or the bible?
Can you explain this
I’m not going to keep arguing about this…but I leave you with this 1 Cor 6:9-11…homosexuality was a sin then and its a sin now just like any other sin described in the new testament…my point is the punishment of the law was death, but Christ came to fulfill the law and through Him comes grace…remember, we are all sinners and have fallen short of His glory…true repentance and accepting Christ, brings us into that grace…i am sorry if you still don’t get my point…thank you….
Really? So we don’t have to be worried about the dos and don’ts of the Bible? party time for me lol
Listen guys, don’t sweat it…let just pray for all these non believers. Please let not ridicule them. I ask those who will want to take a stand for God to rather pray that God will reveal himself to all these people. To Chris and the other non believer out there, God does not need you to like him but He so wishes that you will come to know the joy that He has for each and every one of us. My question is what will take you guys to believe that the God we serve is the only true God. Just reply to my comment with your request and I know my God will do it because it is His desire that all may know him.
It will take EVIDENCE and not some cooked concept called FAITH. So present a reasonable evidence for the existence of this God and I will actually join you to recruit more members for your God. Until then, there is no God anywhere, not your God or anyone’s God.
If I tell you that there is this woman called Lumlum who has 22 breats and 500 eyes who watches over her followers each day and night. Until I am able to provide you with a reasonable evidnece, you will be a cat to believe me.
Same applies here
Why should he present you an evidence if he believes in God what your business about that?my friend go and mind your own problems if people want to believe in God how does it affects you?if you have a problem with God go and solve with him and stop harassing people is our lifes your life??nonsense.
I just asked what do u want go to do so that you will know he does exist…Paul never believed in God. He prosecuted his follower and I see you becoming the next Paul. If you want to see Him…just say so and you will see him. If not I will still pray for you.
People people listen yeah,GC delibrately put up these articles as , it get the most comments. Because people are so sensitive about issues concerning religion. I bet on my one penny coin Chris and his crew all say a pray to a God (? )in times on needs. Being a non Christian is the new trend to come across as enlighten and intelligent. And I believe as chris and his mates grow old and fragile they will be playing a different tune to the drums with regards religion.
One thing about GC is even though they can be annoying sometimes, they always have it covered in all places so when I am upset, I catch myself back here within an hour to see what they are saying.
Yesterday or so I saw Kanawu comment on an article and I said so old soldier is still here. I think she is the oldest commenter I have seen here. Oh BB I think.
I didn’t know you are even still here, hiding behind the keyboard lol.
I visted some of the blogs and I said wth is this, back to GC lol
Hehe am still here my dear . I read my bible , daily mail and GC . (Thus in the morning and just before I go to bed)