Can’t have your cake and eat it, too!
Do not feel compelled to click on my ad above. – BUM
I want you to really think about what you said here. And also, if Christians are in error of what they believe, then what truth are you measuring it by….science, research? Wonderful things…but by themselves, do nothing to satisfy my life, soul, and heart.
[Serenitys Peace]
Good note.
Several things I’d like to say. First of all, while I do think that Christianity is not supported in any way by science, that is not what I’m using to measure it. Most of my arguments (or the ones I think are the best) argue that Christians are completely inconsistent with the way they think about things. So I’m using their own inconsistent thoughts to point out inconsistencies; the bar I’m measuring them against is themselves.
Second, let’s say that science and research don’t satisfy your life, soul and heart. All right. Let’s also assume that Christianity does satisfy your life, soul, and heart. All right.
My response to that would be, fine. Take Christianity (or religion in general) as some kind of mental paradigm that makes life easier and more fulfilling, but then call it that. Say, "I believe in Christianity because it gives me comfort." And stop worrying about whether it’s "true" or whether Jesus actually resurrected. It doesn’t matter; it’s the nice story that you tell to yourself that makes life fun for you.
Once you start insisting on having it both ways, is where you’re going to run into the most trouble with me.
RYN: “I picked up Homeric Epic and Gospel of Mark from the library today” Nice! Maybe you can bring it down on Wed.
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Of course, BUM, the problem with what you suggest is that there is no comfort that can be taken from a belief which is either untrue or possibly untrue. Only through verification can anything ultimately be comforting. Delusions avail us of nothing, nor do they provide any substantive advantages in everyday life. As such, the truth claims and validity of the stories is paramount.
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Anonymous question: If Christianity was proven (with real unbiased evidence, proof, etc) as fact (not theory), would you then become a Christian?
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That’s kind of how I see it, but I would also say that a person could be an Agnostic and Atheist and still read and follow The Bible. Whether the stories in The Bible are true or not some people may take comfort in them in that, they find good advice and guidance from these stories. And even though they think of them as myths they still hold valuable lessons for them. I’m Agnostic, but find…
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value in The Bible. I agree with some of the messages it presents. And that’s the tricky thing about religion. It’s very easy to deceive people into following a religion, believing in events that can’t logically or even historically be proven to have happened. But, I believe that miraculous things are definitely possible. By the way, I never got that saying, “can’t have your cake and eat it…
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too.” I mean, what else would you do with cake?
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RYN: Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
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I just now came back to ur diary and saw this entry. I go back and see that actually what i was gettin’ at is what you had said. “convince Christians of their error through dialogue”…funny, cuz isn’t that what u see Christians as doing..trying to convince people of their error through dialogue? but really christians don’t convince anyone of anything…ever…
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b/c it’s a personal choice…Christians simply deliver the message…true, some do it in ways i don’t agree with..some are pushy…some are hypocritical, etc..the list goes on…but, just b/c their are counterfiet bills doesn’t mean there’s no such thing as real money…discernment, study, finding the truth..going on faith…I don’t need Christianity..it’s not about that..it’s about Jesus Christ
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