You are confusing religion with organized religion, as do many people. There is a difference. For example, the organized Roman Catholic Church, the Pope, and the cardinals, etc. are wrong, and always have been. They stole Christianity away from the original Church of Jerusalem. Other organized religions are no more than cults. Most Protestant denominations are incorrect in many of their basic beliefs, mostly because they were inherited from the Catholics.
I read the Bible and believe exactly what it says, even though that goes against what many of the organized Christian religions preach.
Everyone has access to the Bible in their own languages. They no longer need a Pope or other person to tell them what it says, while lying a large part of the time.
Read the Bible cover to cover and study what it says as a whole.
The Crusades were wrong. Jihad is wrong. There's a lot in the world that's wrong, but the Bible is right.
The Pope lucked his way into power. At first, he was just "the Bishop of Rome" and had no authority over the other bishops. Because the city of Rome was revered, and rather built up, it become the meeting places of many bishops throughout Europe. They then began to defer the Bishop of Rome for his decision-making.
Then an interesting thing happened: the Roman Senate (yes, from the Empire) was formally dissolved in the 10th century. There was no more Roman authority. The whole of Italy was dependent on the Senate and no longer had a leader. It then deferred to the Bishop of Rome. He become the de fact leader of the country - raising taxes, armies, and passing laws.
As he grew in power and wealth, political leaders in Europe sought his approval. So they also elevated his status beyond anything ever imagined.
You are confusing religion with organized religion, as do many people. There is a difference. For example, the organized Roman Catholic Church, the Pope, and the cardinals, etc. are wrong, and always have been. They stole Christianity away from the original Church of Jerusalem. Other organized religions are no more than cults. Most Protestant denominations are incorrect in many of their basic beliefs, mostly because they were inherited from the Catholics.
I read the Bible and believe exactly what it says, even though that goes against what many of the organized Christian religions preach.
Everyone has access to the Bible in their own languages. They no longer need a Pope or other person to tell them what it says, while lying a large part of the time.
Read the Bible cover to cover and study what it says as a whole.
The Crusades were wrong. Jihad is wrong. There's a lot in the world that's wrong, but the Bible is right.
True jihad is the fight to overcome the self..the ego..to grow up in other words.
We need only remember we are here in this school to learn to love one another..nothing else is important.
If we did this the earth would be a paradise
If this is what you are finding in the Bible then we agree
Okay, fake jihad, as the term has been compromised.
Yes, we should love one another, even Hillary. But we should hate her actions intensely.
There is more in the Bible that everyone should do.
The Pope lucked his way into power. At first, he was just "the Bishop of Rome" and had no authority over the other bishops. Because the city of Rome was revered, and rather built up, it become the meeting places of many bishops throughout Europe. They then began to defer the Bishop of Rome for his decision-making.
Then an interesting thing happened: the Roman Senate (yes, from the Empire) was formally dissolved in the 10th century. There was no more Roman authority. The whole of Italy was dependent on the Senate and no longer had a leader. It then deferred to the Bishop of Rome. He become the de fact leader of the country - raising taxes, armies, and passing laws.
As he grew in power and wealth, political leaders in Europe sought his approval. So they also elevated his status beyond anything ever imagined.
So, the Pope as it exists today, was an accident.
It is a fascinating study if you have a chance.
It wasn't luck.