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The Truth of Christianity vs. All Other Belief Systems

Mr Clingford said:
Respectfully, I strongly disagree that it is Xtianity light in the sense of 'not the full measure' as I see it as a perfectly valid form of Xtianity.

I try to get out of the problem of the OT with the idea of progressive revelation and that the Biblical writings are also products of particular cultures, times etc. This approach I think is more mainstream than the attempts to say that the Bible is perfect, without any error etc. Also Biblical Criticism sheds a lot of light on the types of writings that make up the Bible and their socio-historical context.
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"Progressive revelation"... what is there about the culture as we live it today that would be unacceptable for the times in the OT?
Or, is it that today's tolerance for religious and non-reiigious living was unacceptable to those writers of the book, if not completely incomprehensible, so they had any thoughts along these lines at all?
 
Mr Clingford said:
To me, what you write is contradictory as someone who lives believing in love and good, by my understanding, is already recognising and turning to the light.
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If I understand you correctly, I TOTALLY disagree. I believe in love. I believe I am good. I believe and have been told that others see me as genuine, respectful, helping, and caring of others. However, there is not one atom in my body that believes there is anything to look forward to after life except complete death. There will never be even a dimmer of light for me.
 
kurious_kathy said:
SC, God does not change, he is the same yesterday, today and always. It's far better to be a God pleaser than a people pleaser. Jesus himself is coming back to judge this world and I suggest you get right with him before it's too late! Christ followers believe the Bible and by sharing it's truth we hope others will come to repentance. God is the judge, not us!!
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Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You never change your tune and we're tired of listening to you.
 
kurious_kathy said:
God does not change, he is the same yesterday, today and always.
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For once, KK has made a true statement.

God does not change. He is fictitious, was fictitious yesterday, remains fictitious today, and will always be fictitious.

People who believe in God are deluded, were deluded yesterday, remain deluded today, and will always be deluded.
 
I Ratant said:
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"Progressive revelation"... what is there about the culture as we live it today that would be unacceptable for the times in the OT?
Or, is it that today's tolerance for religious and non-reiigious living was unacceptable to those writers of the book, if not completely incomprehensible, so they had any thoughts along these lines at all?
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One example: Revelation 21 states that there is no sea in the new Earth so the Jews saw the sea as a bad thing! They had no conception of the enormity of the cosmos, or of modern understandings of homosexuality. It was a violent Iron Age world with women as property. So your suggestion that these ancient writers might have found modern notions incomprehensible or or just plain batty holds water for me.

Still, just because someone lived back in those times doesn't mean that everything produced then is rubbish, but it is a difficult task to try to balance the biases and we end up with a number of differing interpretations.
 
Mr Clingford said:
Respectfully, I strongly disagree that it is Xtianity light in the sense of 'not the full measure' as I see it as a perfectly valid form of Xtianity.

I try to get out of the problem of the OT with the idea of progressive revelation and that the Biblical writings are also products of particular cultures, times etc. This approach I think is more mainstream than the attempts to say that the Bible is perfect, without any error etc. Also Biblical Criticism sheds a lot of light on the types of writings that make up the Bible and their socio-historical context.
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This is a sensible approach, much more appealing than all the fundie nonsense. Not that it would make me believe in invisible, supernatural entities,mind you, but I would find your religion more respectable.

I don't think you answered Sun Countess's question, though. If you take a person like myself, who has led a good, virtuous life, has done everything right, but they don't believe that god exists, what exactly do you believe their fate will be after death?
 
Profwag said:
If I understand you correctly, I TOTALLY disagree. I believe in love. I believe I am good. I believe and have been told that others see me as genuine, respectful, helping, and caring of others. However, there is not one atom in my body that believes there is anything to look forward to after life except complete death. There will never be even a dimmer of light for me.
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Then if there is life after death you should have a wonderful surprise; if there is a God I think he is more interested in honesty etc, how we relate to others etc than an intellectual assent to a set of ideas.

I think this post addresses your last one, Marcus. If not, ask away.
 
Mr Clingford said:
Then if there is life after death you should have a wonderful surprise; if there is a God I think he is more interested in honesty etc, how we relate to others etc than an intellectual assent to a set of ideas.

I think this post addresses your last one, Marcus. If not, ask away.
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I like that thinking Mr. Clingford. That means being a good person at heart is a win-win situation. If I'm wrong, I am still let into heaven because I did good on earth, and all is well. If I'm right and there is no heaven, then missing church to stay at home and watch football was the right thing to do after all, and all is still well.
So Christians and other religions take note. Just be a good person so the world will still be a better place and you would have saved yourself a lot of time, money, and dry cleaning bills.
 
Mr Clingford said:
Then if there is life after death you should have a wonderful surprise; if there is a God I think he is more interested in honesty etc, how we relate to others etc than an intellectual assent to a set of ideas.

I think this post addresses your last one, Marcus. If not, ask away.
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Yes it does, and the explanation works. Only one problem, you have just thrown away the stick. No one is required to follow your beliefs, or tithe to your church. I'm sorry, MC, it looks like you will be spending eternity in the Devil's Hothouse with the rest of us, just ask CD or KK. I'll bring the beer.
 
Mr Clingford said:
...So your suggestion that these ancient writers might have found modern notions incomprehensible or or just plain batty holds water for me.

Still, just because someone lived back in those times doesn't mean that everything produced then is rubbish, but it is a difficult task to try to balance the biases and we end up with a number of differing interpretations.
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I don't really have any quibbles with their science, or lack of.. It's the social attitudes, of genocide and intolerance and ignorance of basic human rights and dignity.
These conditions existed then, and should/could have been comprehended were in fact a divine guider to the Speakers of the Law, were not the leaders of the cultures just ordinary folk, determined to keep their positions by inventing their religions for that very purpose.
 
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