15 Jan '06 08:49>
Originally posted by STANGI do not believe it to be ambiguous. I believe it to be clear.
Which one is right ?
As I've said before, if a loving god were to exist, why would his word be so ambiguous when there's a risk of us spending an eternity in hell ?
You yourself have demonstrated how one can manipulate the texts to promote an unfounded position (i.e. your one line quotes to sustain your question regarding Allahs instruction to kill infidels). It is no grand thing to take excerpts of a text and display them out of context to promote a position the text does not claim. As I have demonstrated before, I can do the same thing with other famous texts such as the delaration of independence or Walden. If I take but simple 'one liners' as the basis for my position, I could utilize Mein Kampf to assert that Hitler was a quiet, peace loving man full of acceptance of others and a desire to foster arts and entertainment.
Quite frankly, you hit the nail on the head. A loving God would not be ambiguous in his instructions. He would be very clear. It is the position of myself, and a fair number of other Christians upon this site, that he has been (and is) very clear about the matter.
In regards to "which one is right", I hate to declare that what I believe is the "universal truth" as it is arrogant to say such a thing in a public forum. However, since you have asked and expect a definitive answer direct to your question, I will tell you that I am of firm belief that baptism (in the physical sense, i.e. the ritual with water) is not required for salvation.
To expound, I am not of the belief that any action a person takes can either damn or save them in the eyes of God. It is my belief that God is the perfect examiner, and the criteria of his examination is the fiber of that persons being as they themselves have molded it, with the only item needing to be found a faith in his promise of salvation via the Christ. Again, this is my belief and I wish to reinerate that I do not state this to take issue with people of different beliefs, but only to explain my own.
Best Regards,
Omnislash