So what's the RIGHT answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost no scholar disputes that Jesus existed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus

+1. Plus, if this troll is going to argue that Jesus never existed, she needs a plausible counterfactual to explain the multiple Roman and Christian records that appeared within a few decades of his death and resurrection. There is no plausible counterfactual.

Multiple Roman and Christian records within "a few decades" of his death. Please - provide one, just one.

The gospels, Josephus.

Your turn. Who do you claim "made" up this fictional Jesus, the man/divine figure who you think never existed. And why did they bother? Provide one name of a person or group involved in fabricating Jesus out of the blue. Provide one, just one.

Also Tacitus.

Jesus had some popular following, but certainly was not big enough news at the time of his death to attract any of the then existing recorders of history. But as the movement grew and became a force to be reckoned with, one then gets mentions. But for the history writers of the time the life and death of a carpenter's son did not qualify as news, let alone history.

The reason almost no scholar disputes his existence is because over time Christians became a force the Romans had to deal with, and it was clear that their beginnings were in a group of followers of a man who once lived, not a man they made up out of whole cloth.

Again, if you want to argue Christ's divinity, feel free. But it is pretty pointless to argue his existence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The point if this thread is to question how one religion can be the "right answer" when EVERY religion claims to have truth. Of course, that doesn't necessary mean all of them are wrong but I see similarities in each especially when it comes to evidence (or lack thereof) and faith. Maybe that's a big clue??????

I think most people today who "believe" don't really care if the tenets of their faith make "sense" or is "right." They believe. That brings them tremendous psychic income and comfort. Thats the way things are going.

I think that applies to some people, but not most. As for the way things are going, as more people learn about academic (vs sunday school) religion, they are leaving it.

but I have met several people now who tell me they are "spiritual" thus trying to sidestep the whole "what's the right answer" dilemma. I respect them; they are seeking answers to the big questions and are settling on a belief system that works for them.

I've never understood this "religion that works for me" thing. So many people refuse to believe in the God of the Bible because He judges people for their sin, and so they perceive Him to be vengeful and angry, even though He also is holy and loving enough to provide His own sacrifice to redeem them. Yet they will then turn around and believe in an unimaginably schizophrenic God, one who has supposedly revealed Himself in so many different, and contradictory ways to so many people of different faiths. If you believe in God at all, then you believe He made the world, and the creation has an incredible order to it. Why would a God like that not have a knowable, consistent and unchanging nature? People find religion that's "right for me" because they want to feel comfortable and not confront their own wickedness. It's definitely not comfortable for me to believe in Hell, the depth of my own sinfulness, and my total inability to save myself by any means. It would be much more comfortable for me to think that God will reward me someday for "trying to be a good person," but I come to Christ because I know this isn't true. I need His forgiveness, and this is what He offers through Christ. Christianity is the only religion built on personal love of God toward His creation, in sending a savior to die for the sins of the world. Every other belief system out there requires us to do something to earn our salvation. Not only does that make more sense, but it's truly the only one that "works" for everyone.

Well, it sure sounds like Christianity is the right religion for you -- cleansing you of your wickedness. Congrats on finding it -- thought in this Christian-sturated culture, I bet it wasn't hard. For others, who don't feel so wicked, spirituality works better. And for some,who are comfortable in the natural universe, no religion at all works just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The name people pray to when the plane is crashing is the way, the truth and the light.

Bingo. I have to agree with you on this one. I've done it myself.

Me too.

[Anonymous]

6.5 million children under the age of 5 died around the globe last year. So, God saved you from the plane crash, but it was tough titties for them? You're special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The point if this thread is to question how one religion can be the "right answer" when EVERY religion claims to have truth. Of course, that doesn't necessary mean all of them are wrong but I see similarities in each especially when it comes to evidence (or lack thereof) and faith. Maybe that's a big clue??????

I think most people today who "believe" don't really care if the tenets of their faith make "sense" or is "right." They believe. That brings them tremendous psychic income and comfort. Thats the way things are going.

I think that applies to some people, but not most. As for the way things are going, as more people learn about academic (vs sunday school) religion, they are leaving it.

but I have met several people now who tell me they are "spiritual" thus trying to sidestep the whole "what's the right answer" dilemma. I respect them; they are seeking answers to the big questions and are settling on a belief system that works for them.

I've never understood this "religion that works for me" thing. So many people refuse to believe in the God of the Bible because He judges people for their sin, and so they perceive Him to be vengeful and angry, even though He also is holy and loving enough to provide His own sacrifice to redeem them. Yet they will then turn around and believe in an unimaginably schizophrenic God, one who has supposedly revealed Himself in so many different, and contradictory ways to so many people of different faiths. If you believe in God at all, then you believe He made the world, and the creation has an incredible order to it. Why would a God like that not have a knowable, consistent and unchanging nature? People find religion that's "right for me" because they want to feel comfortable and not confront their own wickedness. It's definitely not comfortable for me to believe in Hell, the depth of my own sinfulness, and my total inability to save myself by any means. It would be much more comfortable for me to think that God will reward me someday for "trying to be a good person," but I come to Christ because I know this isn't true. I need His forgiveness, and this is what He offers through Christ. Christianity is the only religion built on personal love of God toward His creation, in sending a savior to die for the sins of the world. Every other belief system out there requires us to do something to earn our salvation. Not only does that make more sense, but it's truly the only one that "works" for everyone.

Well, it sure sounds like Christianity is the right religion for you -- cleansing you of your wickedness. Congrats on finding it -- thought in this Christian-sturated culture, I bet it wasn't hard. For others, who don't feel so wicked, spirituality works better. And for some,who are comfortable in the natural universe, no religion at all works just fine.

Whatevs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost no scholar disputes that Jesus existed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus

+1. Plus, if this troll is going to argue that Jesus never existed, she needs a plausible counterfactual to explain the multiple Roman and Christian records that appeared within a few decades of his death and resurrection. There is no plausible counterfactual.

Multiple Roman and Christian records within "a few decades" of his death. Please - provide one, just one.

The gospels, Josephus.

Your turn. Who do you claim "made" up this fictional Jesus, the man/divine figure who you think never existed. And why did they bother? Provide one name of a person or group involved in fabricating Jesus out of the blue. Provide one, just one.

Also Tacitus.

Jesus had some popular following, but certainly was not big enough news at the time of his death to attract any of the then existing recorders of history. But as the movement grew and became a force to be reckoned with, one then gets mentions. But for the history writers of the time the life and death of a carpenter's son did not qualify as news, let alone history.

The reason almost no scholar disputes his existence is because over time Christians became a force the Romans had to deal with, and it was clear that their beginnings were in a group of followers of a man who once lived, not a man they made up out of whole cloth.

Again, if you want to argue Christ's divinity, feel free. But it is pretty pointless to argue his existence.

I don't know - rising from the dead seems like pretty big news, even in those days. And there are Scholars who dispute his existence -- Richard Carrier, for instance, and Robert Price.

about the only thing that was "clear" was that Paul wrote about him and traveled around, spreading the word. And we know that the supernatural parts -- born of a virgin, rising from the dead - were derived from earlier mythical gods. Those mythical, supernatural aspects are also central to the Christian faith.

[Anonymous]

we need to send all of you people to alabama

[Anonymous]

^ oops, i meant to post that in the 'god vengeful thread'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost no scholar disputes that Jesus existed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus

+1. Plus, if this troll is going to argue that Jesus never existed, she needs a plausible counterfactual to explain the multiple Roman and Christian records that appeared within a few decades of his death and resurrection. There is no plausible counterfactual.

Multiple Roman and Christian records within "a few decades" of his death. Please - provide one, just one.

The gospels, Josephus.

Your turn. Who do you claim "made" up this fictional Jesus, the man/divine figure who you think never existed. And why did they bother? Provide one name of a person or group involved in fabricating Jesus out of the blue. Provide one, just one.

Also Tacitus.

Jesus had some popular following, but certainly was not big enough news at the time of his death to attract any of the then existing recorders of history. But as the movement grew and became a force to be reckoned with, one then gets mentions. But for the history writers of the time the life and death of a carpenter's son did not qualify as news, let alone history.

The reason almost no scholar disputes his existence is because over time Christians became a force the Romans had to deal with, and it was clear that their beginnings were in a group of followers of a man who once lived, not a man they made up out of whole cloth.

Again, if you want to argue Christ's divinity, feel free. But it is pretty pointless to argue his existence.

I don't know - rising from the dead seems like pretty big news, even in those days. And there are Scholars who dispute his existence -- Richard Carrier, for instance, and Robert Price.

about the only thing that was "clear" was that Paul wrote about him and traveled around, spreading the word. And we know that the supernatural parts -- born of a virgin, rising from the dead - were derived from earlier mythical gods. Those mythical, supernatural aspects are also central to the Christian faith.

So a scruffy band of disciples believe their crucified leader rose from the dead. Maybe today that would make a small box on page 17 of the National Enquirer, but that's hardly big news, not to mention there wasn't anything like the National Enquirer in those days. It definitely would not have been seen as history n the making at the time. I've already said so what if the Jesus story evokes primal messages of early human consciousness and you have not yet responded with the what.

[Anonymous]

^^^ PP, nobody is asking you to believe it. You're free not to believe it. Just let go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ PP, nobody is asking you to believe it. You're free not to believe it. Just let go.

"Just let it go," as it don't mention it in a discussion about religion because it upsets believers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ PP, nobody is asking you to believe it. You're free not to believe it. Just let go.

"Just let it go," as it don't mention it in a discussion about religion because it upsets believers?

Whatevs. You keep flattering yourself that you've upset people, which you haven't, and the point was obviously about how you're wasting your time with childish questions that are so far below the radar that they don't upset anybody. But again, whatevs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6.5 million children under the age of 5 died around the globe last year. So, God saved you from the plane crash, but it was tough titties for them? You're special.

I half prayed to be saved and half prayed so that if I died I would want my judgement trial to go like this...


Prosecuting attorney Satan presents God with a running video of all my sins , after the 2 years of abject failure on video for all to see , my attorney gets up... Walks up to God and says " DAD... I was crucified and died for my friend sitting there." God says "forgiven and forgotten"!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6.5 million children under the age of 5 died around the globe last year. So, God saved you from the plane crash, but it was tough titties for them? You're special.

I half prayed to be saved and half prayed so that if I died I would want my judgement trial to go like this...


Prosecuting attorney Satan presents God with a running video of all my sins , after the 2 years of abject failure on video for all to see , my attorney gets up... Walks up to God and says " DAD... I was crucified and died for my friend sitting there." God says "forgiven and forgotten"!!

or God says, "To hell with this sinner!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ PP, nobody is asking you to believe it. You're free not to believe it. Just let go.

"Just let it go," as it don't mention it in a discussion about religion because it upsets believers?

Whatevs. You keep flattering yourself that you've upset people, which you haven't, and the point was obviously about how you're wasting your time with childish questions that are so far below the radar that they don't upset anybody. But again, whatevs.

Feeling upset, eh?