? FROM THE ' WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ' THREAD

[pstrjp]

It has always been my personal belief that all religions were developed for only one reason and that was control over the masses... Without the Gatekeeper concept (God(s)) in place there was no control of who would move to the afterlife...

Almost the same as the concept of Santa Claus "Checks his list twice, because...Only good little boys and girls get presents"

Sounds pretty close to "Only true believers get into Heaven"

Just some more thoughts

Sorry, but need to chime in here, this is a basic misunderstanding of Christian faith "Santa Claus giving presents to good kids" or "good deeds vs. bad deeds" concept. Followers of Jesus Christ believe that God has given the gift to all and the choice to enter the "gate" is in our hands. The gift (God's Son-Jesus Christ) was given to all, God should NOT be portrayed as a "gate-keeper".

Really the attempt to "control the masses" comes via man-made religion which can be separated from the Christian faith. Christ did not start a "religion" but opened the door to a relationship with God through his death and ressurrection. It was Constantine in the 4th Century that nationalized the Christian faith creating an 'official' clergy and driving the church into 'official' buildings that led the "controlling of the masses".