Christians are better people?

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Shell - I'm not sure if that was directed at Tomas J., since there was only the pronoun with no name attached. If it is, well, that is another very deep and varied topic on Jefferson's character. I will say that he was suspicious of organized religion, much the same way that Ben Franklin was. They felt that organized religion tended to divide people rather than unite them. This notion, of the "us and against them mentality" has been fairly well exploited on this thread already. Jefferson and Franklin would both agree with this.

But I think for Jefferson it goes even deeper. Here are some quotes directed at the clergy and organized religion:

This is one of his most famous (or notorious) quotes and it even graces his memorial walls in Washington D.C. But I think you may have crafted a new topic, which is "do true believers need organized religion? Or can they do just fine without it?"

 

"…And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

Perhaps you have heard the story of the parishioner who received recognition for being the humblest man in the church? They gave him a pin to wear. The following Sunday he wore it and they took it away from him for being proud. One wonders sometimes if humility is like this. As soon as we think we are humble, we are not! So to think you are a better person than someone else is wrong.

 

is this true? bec. I believe in most of the doctrines but I hate going to mass. I mean, I believe (for the most part) in the "Christian way" but I'm too disillusioned by organized religion to want to attend mass and such. As to the original question, being "Are Christians better people?", I'm sure that many have already brought it up during the course of this thread but here are my 2 cents: nope. Some key words: The Inquisition, The Crusades, the list goes on. I believe in the "live ant let live" system. Let this guy worship Allah, another worship Yahweh and another a cat or a snake or a tree or whatever. Organized Religion is the enemy of the world :/

 

What good is faith if there's nobody to share it with?
I think it's wonderful to meet people who believe the same things as I do. That's one of the reasons I like to go to church.
Religion is a different thing. IMHO, religion has too much to do with laws and tradition. I'd rather not speak of religion, but of (shared) faith.

 

Just look at priests not being able to marry. The church is a useless value nowadays. They should end it. I am very spiritual, but church is just silly.

 

There are many types of churches. I, for example do not have anything to do with a priest. I even don't understand why priests are not allowed to mary. My preacher/vicar/whatsitcalledinenglish is happily married and has 3 kids. Nothing wrong with that, I think.
But again, this is a matter of tradition and laws, and as far I know, nothing biblical. Religion vs. Faith.

I'm not the only christian here on earth. That's why I go to church. I'll not be the only one in heaven either. God gave me fellow christians to live with, to learn from and to share experiences with.

It's just my opinion. Not forcing anyone to go to church.

 

I think the term you are looking for MoN is 'reverend'. My last school (which was a presbyterian) had a 3 rev’s and all were married and had kids. They were great, respectable people – one I think is now on a mission in Africa – who didn’t force religion on anyone, if you didn’t believe, they were cool with it and they accepted it, never saying “you’ll burn in hell” or the like.