My Friend:
Mike, I apologize if I insulted you with my post. I was attempting to comment on how these cults had one unmistakable similarity.
The series I was watching was about cults. They attempted to diversify but the one common string was that they target people of faith all Faith's really but mainly Christians. Or what some call Christianity now a days. It hasn't anything to do with politics but these Mega Church Billionaire preachers have turned it into a political fiasco. People are desperate and lost and searching and are easily duped. Unfortunately, Christian's seem to be their targets. They sucker these folks into these cults. Seriously, doing despicable things in the name of Jesus or so they say and sadly these folks fall for it.
I as you may know am agnostic with leanings toward atheism... it's just where my life experience had led me thus far. I don't have answers as to a afterlife nor do I claim to know what comes next. Its comforting for many to believe in something and I respect that.
I do not respect those who dupe good people and sadly I don't much have any sympathy for those who get duped.
I hope you understand but more importantly, I hope you accept my apology for making a blanket statement.
You should watch this series. It's a little graphic due to some actual crime photos and reenactments but extremely informative.
Me:
I do accept your apology, Paul. It's water under the bridge. However, I do find it very interesting when I watch shows about cults and how people want so much to believe something that they fall for it and some of them get so burned that they leave religion for good. You are right about being informed in safeguarding against fraud and scam artists that milk many dry to turn them off from the wisdom well that religion can be and is. Though, for many, it has become a cesspool of useless jargon that does not seem relevant in our modern times. where the advancement of technology seems to have replaced the former social setting into a latter isolated societal crisis situation that has encroached upon us in such invasive ways and by light years speed that we have fallen behind and there is great concern for our younger generations and what that future will look like. Which could take the shape and the form of a new religiosity but not an actual religion. It's more like a moral code or the mores of society. But the culture is changing so fast, and it appears not for the better. Those changes that we are seeing today paint a dark picture for the days ahead. Yes, there are deceptive and manipulative forces at work in the modern culture within the religious and within the secular divide of our society. Jesus warned of a whitewash tomb kind of religiosity (like the pharisees of his day), yet today it seems more of the "pharisaical christian" rares its ugly head in public hindering the hope of the gospel. Bringing more attention to themselves and their cause instead of Jesus himself. Jesus spoke more towards hypocrisy within the believer than those who are not sure or those who do not believe, it seems. Anyway, I think I've said too much. But Paul, after 40 plus years, we are still friends. That's something to be happy about.
My Friend:
Since Kindergarten my friend.
Agreeing to disagree is on of the things that makes this country great. People seem to have forgotten that.
Thank you for accepting my apology.
Me:
Of course, Paul. Friends do disagree. It's part of friendship. Both people have their own thoughts, minds, beliefs, etc.
Good night, Paul.
Peace.