Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why?

The mythos and logos of Christianity is perverted and turned into dogma by zealots who refuse to accept the living faith as a real organism that needs dissent to grow and expand. A faith turned inward to crush doubts puts the sunlight of the spirit in shadow and does evil exactly the way Jung postulated. It is a threat only recognized by thinking, living, breathing minds capable of expansion.

Disagree.

Religions, like Christianity, tend to have a range of believers, from the fanatic to the casual. The reason there are fanatics is because there is a larger avid group that supports them. The reason avid groups are as large as they are is because there's an even larger group of moderate believers that support them. As they say, there's strength in numbers, and fanatics derive strength and drive from the whole body of believers around them, whether avid or casual.

Now, if the zealots actually had substance to back up their views, there would be more of them and there would be less moderates. For example, the idea that the world is round is strongly held by almost all people in the world. There are few moderates or even disbelievers in a round Earth. Of course, they have lots of evidence to support that belief.

Christianity, like other religions, is baseless. It only uses emotional hooks and indoctrination to get and keep converts. This is one reason why the fanatic believers are so emotionally driven, unlike the round Earth believers.

Therefore, the most damage being done to Christianity is the fact that there really are no gods. This causes fanatics to be so emotionally driven. This causes a lot to reconsider their association with the religion and perhaps look at its basis. The fact that today, people can discuss religious issues in forums like this really breaks open religious dogma on all levels, and that causes the greatest damage to any religion.

Yes, its a very good point. Also Christians, Jews and Moslem's who insist that the totally unsubstantiated God is a fact.

I say this because some say the bible is the infallible work of an all knowing, all wise, all whatever, god. That says the world is the shape of an oblong box, and the sky is a solid barrier with holes in, to allow the light of the sun, moon and stars. All bibles still have that in and is the reason why the Church used to murder people for saying the world is not flat.

Going by the infallible work of a God and by his own words, he's a complete moron. :)

Practicing Shaman... quantum physics rocks.

Absolutely!!!

Look at all of Paul's letters -- many times the Church isn't harmed by outside forces (we'll always have that) but from inside fighting. Fanaticism pushes and supports fighting among Christians.

It further harms Christianity because it does make religion into a crutch. Instead of using Christianity as a foundation for their lives, often the fanatical use their religion as a wall in an effort to keep from living their lives.

Unfortunately I do agree with this statement. It is SO sad isn't it? Some Christians of course do not live like this, and for them I am thankful, I pray I don't fit into this quote either. But I have been hurt more by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, then by those who are not Christians. Our greatest enemy can come from within. So as Christians let us realize that it begins with us, not the other person, to be the people that God has created us to be.

Maybe it is one of the threat o Christianity that should not be overlooked. I believe though that the greatest threat to Christianity is a false Christian doctrine in contrast to the true gospel.

I also believe that the most dangerous lie is a lie closest to the truth. It is dangerous because Christians will think it's truth when it is not.

In my opinion fanaticism is an outcome of low self worth. It is but a medium to differentiate oneself from the vast populace when all other forms of positive differentiation such as a good income, education etc is lacking.

The largest contributors to the current state of affairs are perhaps the religious leaders and religion itself. Every religion lays down a set of rules by which its followers must abide. Religious leaders do not encourage people to think or use their judgment in deciding on the path to righteousness.

Unless the very fundamental basis for religion changes I see a inverse proportionality between development and religion. As our planet continues to develop sooner or later religion might be confined to the history books.

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.

True believers are not a threat to each other & a distinction should be made between true & hypocritical.

The apostles and disciples gave their very life for the gospel of Christ. In Acts the apostles were beat and told not to preach any longer in the Name of Jesus but they went out rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to have suffered for Christ and prayed for more boldness and continued preaching the gospel boldly.

Jude warned that: "...certain men crept in unawares...turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." Jude 1:4. (wolves in sheep's clothing, etc.)

agree....there are some Christians like me that go in peace, will share the word with people and if they refuse will just pray for them and move on...not forceful....more like Mark says. There are others that if they havent protested 100000000 times against non Christians with expressing symbols and sign or yelling out in the street, they havent achieved their great commission. ...this others are mostly fanatics...they tend to claim perfection in which they are probably worse off than others in their behavior

Some Christians go through persecution for the right reason like living in a country that is predominantly of other religions which is fine since you are fulfilling the great commission to preach the gospel

True. But I should clarify - there is a fine line between a fanatic and person who is actually living totally in sync with their beliefs (such that their entire life revolves around their ideas)

There is no problem with living your beliefs, in fact, that is the GOAL for any genuine "christian" but I would say the line is crossed when one tries to force their idea of discipline on others who are not asking them to share it.....