Converting to Islam

Originally posted by FMF
Hypothetical scenario.

If I were a Catholic who had, thus far led a good life, and done all the things I was supposed to do, outwardly as well as in my heart. And here I was, at the midpoint of my adult life, converting to Islam (not superficially but after study and instruction) so that I could marry the love of my life, a Muslim woman. If I continued to liv ...[text shortened]... Muslim tradition... at the end of my life, would I still have a good chance of going to heaven?

You have very little, almost negligable, chance of going to heaven.

Originally posted by FMF
Hypothetical scenario.

If I were a Catholic who had, thus far led a good life, and done all the things I was supposed to do, outwardly as well as in my heart. And here I was, at the midpoint of my adult life, converting to Islam (not superficially but after study and instruction) so that I could marry the love of my life, a Muslim woman. If I continued to liv ...[text shortened]... Muslim tradition... at the end of my life, would I still have a good chance of going to heaven?

Any faithful Muslim can go to heaven.

Originally posted by scherzo
Any faithful Muslim can go to heaven.

It is highly unlikely that anyone goes to heaven.

Originally posted by znsho
It is highly unlikely that anyone goes to heaven.

Au contraire. You have nothing to back that up.

Originally posted by scherzo
Au contraire. You have nothing to back that up.

Actually he probably does have a lot of things to back that up. I know I do. I am sure you can also back up your claim but whether or not we could convince each other is a totally different matter.

Originally posted by scherzo
Au contraire. You have nothing to back that up.

The only evidence that there might be a heaven are several ancient books almost certainly written by humans who had no contact at all with a so-called god.

Originally posted by znsho
The only evidence that there might be a heaven are several ancient books almost certainly written by humans who had no contact at all with a so-called god.

Actually I would say the thousands of people who believe in it constitute at least as strong evidence as the ancient books do, after all ancient books are little more than a reflection of the beliefs of their writers.
Other possible evidence to consider is all purported miracles which if verified would provide evidence that the beliefs are genuine.
Personally though I am not convinced by the evidence but I do not deny that it exists.

Originally posted by znsho
The only evidence that there might be a heaven are several ancient books almost certainly written by humans who had no contact at all with a so-called god.

So rather than convincing people that heaven does not exist, you just unconvincingly try to trash our argument without providing any evidence to support you or show a contrary position.

Originally posted by scherzo
So rather than convincing people that heaven does not exist, you just unconvincingly try to trash our argument without providing any evidence to support you or show a contrary position.

I don't quite follow you. Are you saying that I should provide evidence that heaven does not exist?

Originally posted by znsho
I don't quite follow you. Are you saying that I should provide evidence that heaven does not exist?

I am. Astound us all.

Originally posted by scherzo
I am. Astound us all.

I'll make a deal with you. You prove to me that more than one God does not exist, and I'll prove to you that Heaven does not exist.

Originally posted by znsho
I'll make a deal with you. You prove to me that more than one God does not exist, and I'll prove to you that Heaven does not exist.

Is polytheism an issue here? More than one God cannot exist because God is in everything.

Originally posted by scherzo
Is polytheism an issue here? More than one God cannot exist because God is in everything.

No! Polyethism is not the issue. The issue is your challenge for me to prove Heaven does not exist. I am trying to show you that it is impossible to prove the non-existence of something. That is, just as I can't prove the non-existence of Heaven, you can not prove the non-existence of more than one God. Your challenge is therefore meaningless.

Originally posted by znsho
No! Polyethism is not the issue. The issue is your challenge for me to prove Heaven does not exist. I am trying to show you that it is impossible to prove the non-existence of something. That is, just as I can't prove the non-existence of Heaven, you can not prove the non-existence of more than one God. Your challenge is therefore meaningless.

You're going about it the wrong way. Don't prove that heaven does not exist; rather, disprove that it does.

Originally posted by znsho
I am trying to show you that it is impossible to prove the non-existence of something.

That is a false assertion. I feel perfectly capable of proving that there are no pink unicorns hiding in my fridge. Especially the variety that emits flashes of very bright light.
If something is defined sufficiently it is frequently possible to prove its non-existence - or at least provide sufficient evidence to convince the average person.