One thing we’ve come to realize here at Survey Magnet is that we have a strong audience of believers (people of religious faith) and non-believers (those who could care less about religion).  We like to think that we are all friends here but sometimes, things do not work out that way.

According to the Bible, 2 John 1: 10-11, states that “If anyone comes to you and does not bring his teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”

Many interpret this to mean that you should not socialize or affiliate yourself with anyone that does not share your religious belief.  I’ve heard birds of a feather flock together, but is this the understood meaning?

1 John 5: 10 – 13

¹⁰He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

¹¹And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

¹²He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

¹³These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

As stated above, you must adhere to this word, and believe in the Son of God for eternal life.  Based upon the current state of the world, I think few care to have eternal life.  Many discredit God and his works.  Many shun Jesus and his miracles.  Many turn their backs on years of religious upbringings and Holy teachings.  So you tell us…

By definition Religion is “a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs”.

Irrational is described as “without or deprived of normal mental clarity or sound judgement”.

Take for instance the creation of the world.  Those of the christian sector attribute creation to the almighty God and his six days of hard work.  Many of the scientific realm like to say science created the universe.  British scientist Stephen Hawking has been on both sides of the coin.  Hawking  was once a firm believer in the Godly creation  but he changed his mind in his book The Grand Design.  Ironically this was a 180 degree turn from his previous book A Brief History of Time.

Simply put Hawkins said, “One can’t prove that God doesn’t exist, but science makes God unnecessary.”

Many non-believers think that the religious folk accept what their good book says and do not attempt to understand the findings or theories of scientist like Stephen.  So let’s hear it from the masses.

Religion, like many other pieces to this puzzle we call life, is filled with various slices.  The four largest religious sectors in the world are: Christianity, Islamic, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

• Christianity is based upon the life and teachings of Jesus who is the Christ, Son of God, and Savior for all.
• The Islamic nation is a built upon the religion as taught by the Islamic prophet Muhammad.  Muhammad was a great political and religious figure of the 7th century.
• Buddhism was founded by Siddhattha Gotama in the 6th century.  Followers believe that Gotama sought to help people end suffering by understanding the “nature of phenomena” and escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth.
• Hinduism is the least popular of the four, but notable for modern concepts such as “karma”, “reincarnation”, and “mantras”.

These four religions stand supported by almost 6 billion followers.  Hopefully, they all get along when in one another’s presence but there’s a chance they do not.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we at survey magnet welcome opinions everyday.  So let’s hear yours.

People of religion live by their teachings or belief in their “word”.  It is their driving force and outline for the goodness they spread throughout the world.  Many say these teachings and belief lead people of religion to be narrow minded.  In essence, they have blinders on to the world around them.

This way of thinking could be as simple as not eating pork, not believing in the universe, or thinking that your life is determined by your pleasing of a deity.  Either way, we all have opinions and they are all welcomed here.

The Bible is pretty explicit when it comes to giving direction in life.  There are clear texts that go against homosexuality, jealousy, and even eating shell fish.  One of the more hotly debated topics in the bible is the idea that a wife must submit to her husband.  Here are a few excerpts from the good book that mention a woman’s submission to her man.

Colossians 3:18

Wives, Submit to your husbands, as it is fitting to the Lord.

1 Peter 3:5-6

For this is the way the Holy women of the past put their faith in God used to make themselves beautiful.   They were submissive to their own husbands, Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.

Ephesians 5:22-24

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

I don’t see many women abiding by these rules.  Are they outdated?  Were they never meant to be?  What do you think?

Sexual deviants that prey on young people are spineless monsters.  It doesn’t matter what their profession is.  It doesn’t matter how much money they make.  It doesn’t matter how charitable they are.

It is gut wrenching when you hear that a child has been sexually abused by an adult.  It is ten times worse when the child looks to that person for leadership.  Churches are rapidly becoming a place where sexual predators (disguised as religious leaders) are victimizing children.

Here are 4 notable examples of preacher pedophilia:

1. Eddie Long, 2010, New Birth Ministries – Accused of engaging in sexual relations with several young boys.  Long used gifts, cars, and trips to woo the young men into a relationship.
2. Rev. Richard Castillo, 1998, Diocese of Pensacola Florida – Oversaw the intoxication of a 16 year old boy before sodomizing him.
3. Father Vincent Gerard Ryan, 1975, Catholic Church of Australia – Admitted to indecent assault on several young boys.
4. Larry Neathery , 2006,River Oaks Baptist Church – Convicted on 25 charges of sexually abusing 5 young boys (including 3 relatives and 2 neighbors).

So what’s with these guys?  Is there something about preaching that attracts a pedophile?  What do you think?

Through history there have been a great many religions and leaders.  Islam has the prophet Muhammad.  Buddhism has Buddha.  Christianity has Jesus Christ.  Ancient Egyptians had Horus.

Horus was the god of the Sky, War, and Protection in ancient Egypt.  The myth of Horus predates the life of Jesus Christ by several hundred years (25 BC) and the similarities between the 2 are striking.

• Horus was born from a virgin.  Jesus was born from a virgin.
• Horus was foster fathered by Seph.  Jesus was foster fathered by Joseph.
• Herut tried to murder the infant Horus.  Herod killed every first born in an attempt to wipe out Jesus.
• Horus was baptized at age 30 in a river.  Jesus was baptized at age 30 in a river.
• Horus had 12 followers. Jesus had 12 disciples.
• Horus raised his father Osiris from the grave.  Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave.

Crazy huh?  So what do you think?  Is the story of Jesus plagiarized from the story of Horus.

There are several different variations of Christianity in the world.  Off the top of my mighty brain I can think of the following:

• African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
• Baptist
• Non-denominational
• Mormon
• Catholic
• Presbyterian
• Latter-Day Saints
• Jehovah’s Witness

They all work from basically the same book, but they place different spins on rituals and service.  Jehovah’s Witness are viewed as 2nd class citizens in the Christian world.  Let’s look at how Jehovah’s Witnesses are different than other Christians.

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in the eternal burning fire known as hell for the wicked.
2. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only 144,000 people will enter the gates of heaven.
3. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Holy Trinity (father, son, and the holy ghost).
4. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate holidays.
5. Jehovah’s Witnesses knock on your door to evangelize.
6. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take blood transfusions (even if it means death).

So now we know what separates Jehovah’s Witnesses from other branches.. Why do you think they are frowned upon so heavily?

Forced public prayer in school is always a hot topic.  In ye olden days it was commonplace to force kids to participate in Christian prayers at school.  In more progressive times schools have begun to remove prayer for a myriad of reasons:

• Separation of Church and State
• Embarrassment
• Impropriety
• Debate from other religious groups

Do you think forced prayer has a place in school?