This might be another of those Galileo moments for the Church where science has to drag religion towards reality once again. I am hopefully optimistic this development will help in stemming the AIDS tide in Africa. That being said the proof is in the pudding so we have to wait and see how the Church puts into practice what looks like a big change in theological (i.e. make believe) perspectives.

In reason:
-FA

I think the crux of the problem is the idea that beliefs do not need to be justified if they are religious in nature (Exodus 22:18). That is the dangerous mindset that leads from religious moderation to fundamentalism.

Sam Harris said it best:

While moderation in religion may seem a reasonable position to stake out, in light of all that we have (and have not) learned about the universe, it offers no bulwark against religious extremism and religious violence. The problem that religious moderation poses for all of us is that it does not permit anything very critical to be said about religious literalism. We cannot say that fundamentalists are crazy, because they are merely practicing their freedom of belief; we cannot even say that they are mistaken in religious terms, because their knowledge of scripture is generally unrivaled. All we can say, as religious moderates, is that we don’t like the personal and social costs that a full embrace of scripture imposes on us. This is not a new form of faith, or even a new species of scriptural exegesis; it is simply a capitulation to a variety of all-too-human interests that have nothing, in principle, to do with God.

Unless the core dogmas of faith are called into question-i.e., that we know there is a God, and that we know what he wants from us-religious moderation will do nothing to lead us out of the wilderness.

Until religion is hold up to the scrutiny it so desperately needs, we will continue to see such displays of inhumanity because of belief in gods.

(If you want to read the context of this answer go here first.) 

It is true that I did expect a cliche full (of unfounded assertions that do not answer anything) response. Sadly I was not disappointed. I was a christian for over 20 years before I came to know reason, so I’m not surprised. Still, thanks for responding (as opposed to answering). It has been demonstrated time and time again that truth is not always comforting, that is why delusion is so popular. Sadly that is just how it is.

That being said, remember:

26,000 children died of hunger today. What makes you think god will listen to your prayers? Either he doesn’t care or he doesn’t exist. That is why belief is a crutch, one that meets no real needs at all.

This is not about thrashing you, it is about truth and reality. It is about taking responsibility for ourselves and others considering the obvious FACT that no supernatural being will do it for us.

To finish I will say that just as you will be praying for me I will continue to think for both, I mean, that’s the least I could do.

Take care but above all take action. That is what really matters.

-FA

Here is the link to your post.

You said:
“As human beings we all have real needs. We have known guilt, loneliness and fear, and have experienced emptiness, sorrow and depression…To reject a cure because it is a cure seems silly. The exciting news is that Jesus Christ meets us in the midst of our very real needs.”

Here is my comment:
”Africa has real hurts too. Jesus just doesn’t care in the same way other imaginary beings don’t care either.”

Here is what I mean:

1. 39,000,000 + of Africans have died of AIDS with 58,000,000 slated to die of AIDS.
2. 6,000,000 die of malnutrition before the age of 5.
3. More than 50 percent of Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea.
4. 200,000 child slaves are sold every year in Africa. There are an estimated 8,000 girl-slaves in West Africa alone.
5. About 120,000 African children are participating in armed conflicts. Some are as young as 7 years old.
6. One in six African children dies before the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented.
7. Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those does not complete school.

Fact is Jesus meets no needs at all (see Africa statistics again). At the end of the day it is only you that can make a change, be it in your own life or in Africa.

How conceited can believers be that they go around claiming god takes supreme interest in their mental “issues” when the world is full of actual problems that need solving? Especially when their supposedly all-powerful god does not care enough to address them?

26,000 children died of hunger today. What makes you think god will listen to your prayers? Either he doesn’t care or he doesn’t exist. That is why belief is a crutch, one that meets no real needs at all.

Hopefully my small comment is clear now.
Take care.