A big part of a lot of major religions is to control women in one way or another. In other words, the man is in charge. Muslims are particularly bad about this. Christians also do but its more subtle.
From my experience, this has lessened with time. I am not sure how USA, but Christianity in Australia is pretty modernised and adapts to technology and societal attitudes. The view of women being good for cooking, cleaning and giving birth are way outdated, in society and in many of the churches as well.
We all know that the spirt of a lot of major religions is to be anti homosexual
Fair point.
I don't find that Christianity has anything to "teach" that isn't common sense
True, but sometimes it is good to have a guiding hand towards good behaviour and loving thy neighbour.
I live my life better than most christians I know. I don't steal, don't cheat on my wife, don't hurt anyone. I donate to charity. I donate my time. I help people and ask for nothing in return. I'm generous with my money. I "honor" my parents and the rest of my family. I work and support myself and pay my taxes. The list goes on.
I do all these things as an atheist.
Thats a good post

. I am not religious and I adopt the same life mantra as what you mentioned
Many Christians I know are acting totally in their own self interest. Trying to get that ticket to heaven. I don't need religion to be a good person. I don't need a 2000 year old book full of silly stories to get by in life. I don't need Jesus to forgive me for my "sins".
Certainly some christians would have this mentality, but I can't help thinking D9 that you are tarring all christians will the same brush. I guess it is all about personal experience. The majority of christians I have met and are friends with, don't fall into the description of christians that you portray.
Whats funny is that all of the biggest scum bags I've ever met have been Christian. Apparently they didn't learn a whole lot from the "lessons" in the buybul. Or maybe they learned that jesus will forgive them for their sins. It's ok that some dude beats the crap out of his wife, he's a sinner. `God still loves him. Just believe in jesus and pray for forgiveness.
Generally life has taught me that there is good and bad in every race, religion, colour and creed. Certainly the idea that all christians are good and do good deeds is not true. You only have to look through the history of IAP to see this. But there are many many christians in this world who are wonderful people and who I trust implicitly in all facets of human behaviour. I just don't think it is accurate to try and tar all christians with the same brush.
As said before, I believe that there is good and bad in every religion or belief pattern. No one has yet to convince me otherwise.
Maybe thats why 90% of the men on death row are Christian or become Christian. Like I said, they're in it for their own self interest.
I tended to have similiar thoughts about prisoners who convert to religion just before being executed. I guess you can't blame them though.
The negatives of religion far outweigh any positive effects. Even if some of them are genuinely good people, they've still wasted a bunch of their life worshiping an imaginary friend. Our lives are too precious to waste on such silly things. I know all too well
Many people waste lives on silly things. Its why I don;t spend a great deal of time worrying about what other people believe in, and trying to convince them they are wrong.

BTW good coherent post D9. You argued your points well. Thanks for that.