[GorbachevyChase]

I don’t know what personal religious experience you’re speaking from, but my church is a little more oriented toward helping people overcome addictions and personal failings. If you’re in Europe, then I think the messaging in the mosques about consuming alcohol are pretty strict. I can’t speak from firsthand knowledge.

[swiftcoder]

> personal failings

I'm sure your specific church is lovely, but depending on the church, "personal failings" may include such gems as "being gay", depression, autism, PTSD, poverty...

[wat10000]

Well sure, they don't want the competition. Churches have naturally evolved to use techniques that keep people coming back. The ones that don't do that die out.

[cess11]

Are you sure churches are a natural phenomenon rather than a cultural one?

[dragonwriter]

Culture is a natural phenomenon.

[cess11]

The distinction between culture and nature is quite old and very well established in occidental discourse.

Why are you refusing it?

[wat10000]

Where did I suggest anything of the sort?