Originally posted by BigDoggProblemNo one wants to be the victum of a con game. If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. But once in a while, one can miss out on a real good deal, if one always goes by that rule. One should do their homework and test the waters before jumping in with both feet.
What do I get if I accept your offer?
The best conceivable thing.
What consequences obtain if I refuse your offer?
The worst conceivable thing.
What must I do to go from this one staggering result to the other?
Just pray a little prayer. It will take you about a minute.
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemWouldn't it be make sense to first identify the reality of an actual need? If there is one, whose "offer" will fulfill it?
What do I get if I accept your offer?
The best conceivable thing.
What consequences obtain if I refuse your offer?
The worst conceivable thing.
What must I do to go from this one staggering result to the other?
Just pray a little prayer. It will take you about a minute.
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyYou have had literally years here to establish the "reality" of your claims about there being an "afterlife" and yet you have as yet been unable to make the case. Indeed, you usually end up wittering on about "the original Greek", about a pastor that you happen to like, and numerous threads started to discuss the psychological flaws of people who have different beliefs from you.
Wouldn't it be make sense to first identify the reality of an actual need? If there is one, whose "offer" will fulfill it?
Originally posted by FMFWhat good does it do to criticize Grampy Bobby for you not wanting to do your homework?
You have had literally years here to establish the "reality" of your claims about there being an "afterlife" and yet you have as yet been unable to make the case. Indeed, you usually end up wittering on about "the original Greek", about a pastor that you happen to like, and numerous threads started to discuss the psychological flaws of people who have different beliefs from you.
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyFootnote: If no actual need is identified, why waste discretionary recreational time trafficking speculations or subjective opinions without basis of authority in an online spirituality forum [as if waltzing around a dance floor without a partner]?
Wouldn't it be make sense to first identify the reality of an actual need? If there is one, whose "offer" will fulfill it?
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyBecause, in the course of you (and others) making peculiar claims about reality ~ yours, mine and everyone else's ~ your behaviour is interesting.
Footnote: If no actual need is identified, why waste discretionary recreational time trafficking speculations or subjective opinions without basis of authority in an online spirituality forum [as if waltzing around a dance floor without a partner]?
Originally posted by DeepThoughtAgree, DT. Sometimes our words weigh more than our substantive thought; at other times, the truth content of our thought is too much to bear by those whose intellectual comfort zones have already accepted and adapted to falsehood and truth mixed with error as the normative standard. Patience, perseverance and grace under fire are also virtues worth acquiring.
Silence is a virtue?
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-Removed-Most things I evaluate from real life (people, situations, etc) are a mixed bag. Very rarely do I encounter a case that is entirely positive or negative. So, when someone proposes something that they claim is 100% positive, it tends to set off the BS detector. Add a threat of a 100% negative result, with only minimal effort to change from one result to another, and the siren sounds.
Even the Nigerian that wants me to pretend to be a relative of a deceased guy with millions of $$ in the bank does not threaten me with a bad result, should I refuse to cooperate.
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Even the Nigerian that wants me to pretend to be a relative of a deceased guy with millions of $$ in the bank does not threaten me with a bad result, should I refuse to cooperate.
There is no "Con Game" when we Christians seek to tell others of the good news of Christ's salvation.
I think reading the New Testament for one's self gives a way for Jesus, the Source of the Good News, to speak to you directly.
I am not saying that charlatans of religion do not exist. They existed in the gospels. I don't see why they would not continue to exist afterwards.
But after reading the words of Jesus in, say, the Gospel of Luke or John , do you feel like a "Con Game" is being put over on you by Jesus?
Do you think the Father He speaks of is running a "Con Game" on you when you read Mark or the book of Matthew ?
I don't. I look back not on people who spoke to me about Jesus, and most of them were not perfect people, and I am thankful they took the time. Is it possible that out of good heart someone wants you to be saved?
Some know that they too were once scoffers and skeptical. And God had mercy on them to give them the ability to believe the gospel. So they cannot stand the thought that others could not be recipients of that same underserved mercy.
Faulty as our delivery may be at times, we feel others simply must at least be given the opportunity to hear.
Originally posted by sonshipI am a former Christian who has read the Bible thoroughly.Even the Nigerian that wants me to pretend to be a relative of a deceased guy with millions of $$ in the bank does not threaten me with a bad result, should I refuse to cooperate.
There is no "Con Game" when we Christians seek to tell others of the good news of Christ's salvation.
I think reading the New Testament for one's self g ...[text shortened]... hey cannot stand the thought that others could not be recipients of that same underserved mercy.
When I was in the faith, I didn't think of it as a con game. As I gradually left, I begin to see Christianity from the outside. The main 'selling point' just struck me as a con game. It seemed more and more obvious the more I considered it.
I believe you when you say you don't consider offering salvation a Con Game. I'm simply suggesting that the similarities with other cons are cause for disconcertion, once you've spent some time considering the situation from that angle.