Re: In Jesus' name

as a christian myself, i am horrified to see what my religion has become. although using jesus' name for personal gain is hardly a new concept(see papacy and crusades) it still bothers me when i hear stories like that. i can honestly say i've never preached my personal beliefs to anyone. most people who know me don't even know i'm a christian.
i would most certainly fall under the "non-entertaining" category, having never done drugs or committed any crime (i was caught speeding once...). having lived in the south for 12 years, i'm also not proud to admit that when a friend would recommend a mechanic or realtor or accountant whom they knew to be "a good christian fella'", my first instinct was always to run the other way. seems too many times i came across people who, under the ruse of being "a good christian", were living their lives by the doctrine that one could go ahead and lie, cheat, steal, and so on - jesus had died for your sins. my intention is far from preaching to anyone, but merely to point out that religion means nothing these days. and even though i am a christian, i do believe that religion is the opiate of the masses, whether you're jewish, moslim, buddhist, hindu...