Originally posted by knightmeisterYou are talking about your understanding of Christianity with is probably less than 10% equivalent to most other people claiming to be Christian. Just because you dont know very many Christians doesnt mean they dont exist.
Most of the time in this forum I find myself observing false assumptions about Christianity.
I find that 90% of the time most of the things that Atheists don't believe about God , I don't believe and most Christians I know don't either.
What I dont believe about God: Everything except that he dosnt exist. I dont see how we can be agreeing up to 90% here.
Whether it's notions of God punishing people in hell for wrong doing or the idea that God thinks of humans as perverted and sinful , it's often the same.
This is a central message of much Christian preaching. Whether they are right or wrong you cant be claiming that people who preach this are few and far between.
There seems to be little understanding that Christianity has been grossly missrepresented over the years or that it has been used by ugly, manipulative power bases for their own ends.
So either most Chrisitains are actually ugly manipulative power bases or the are simply wrong. But dont blame the athiests for this, blame your fellow Christians.
My father was an Anglican priest and I was brought up Anglican so yes I think I can claim to know what at least one Anglican Christian believed or did not believe and quite a lot of what the Anglican Church says Christians should believe.
Either our assumptions are not false, or there are lots of Christains telling lies out there, or you dont consider them Christians.
You should also consider selling us your version of the secret decoder ring so that we can see how the Bible can be reinterpreted to avoid that whole Hell is punishment concept.
You may also need to convince some of your fellow Christians on this site.
"The God I believe in is not the god you don't believe in" CS LEWIS
I like CS Lewis but since I dont believe in any God, his (and yours) are neccesarily included.
Originally posted by knightmeisterOf course it does. Unless you wish to argue that Christianity is entirely subjective, in which case you are in the minority. Especially in this forum.
The journey from Atheist to Christian does not consist in having to believe all the tosh that you find unpalatable.
The simple truth is most Atheists think that Christians have to believe something which they don't actually have to.
Test #1: You must, as a matter of fact, believe that "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Correct?
Originally posted by David CThe problem with us athiests is that we ask:
Of course it does. Unless you wish to argue that Christianity is entirely subjective, in which case you are in the minority. Especially in this forum.
[b]The simple truth is most Atheists think that Christians have to believe something which they don't actually have to.
Test #1: You must, as a matter of fact, believe that "For God so ...[text shortened]... Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Correct?[/b]
If God really loved the world why didnt he find a more effective way of helping us?
What does begotten mean?
Why do we have to believe in him to get saved?
What do you mean by perish?
What is everlasting life? Everybody dies you know.
Is it neccessary to know any answers to those to be a Christian or do you just state that you believe? Can you believe without actually knowing what it is you believe?
Originally posted by David CI think this bit is fine , it's some of the other parts that can be missinterpreted. For example , God does not send anyone to hell as a 'punishment' . People choose to turn down the gift of heaven. There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to go to hell if they don't want to , if they are 'sent' by anyone then it is themselves. You can't go to hell by 'accident', you have to freely reject God ...and it's got nothing to do with good or bad deeds either. This is just one example.
Of course it does. Unless you wish to argue that Christianity is entirely subjective, in which case you are in the minority. Especially in this forum.
[b]The simple truth is most Atheists think that Christians have to believe something which they don't actually have to.
Test #1: You must, as a matter of fact, believe that "For God so ...[text shortened]... Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Correct?[/b]