Reply to Faith and the Reward of Heaven

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]That is the attitude of most religions with belief in an afterlife.

What seems disturbing to me about the most prevalent belief in Christianity, is that you accept Jesus as your lord and savior and all your prior sins are cleared. You could have murdered children and raped women, and stolen from the destitute, abused the helpless... and you're clear because you repent? That is not a God I could ever, ever believe in.

I was raised Muslim, and was taught that it's more about tipping the scales. Whether or not you get to heaven is about the actions overall. You don't repent, and then the slate is wiped clean - the scale is always calculating. You have to be conscientious, always. Everything matters every minute of every day, and all your deeds will be weighed when you die.

That said, I no longer believe in religion or any Gods, but the latter seemed like a much more palatable, just and fair pill to swallow.   [/quote]

I think it is beautiful that God gives the opportunity of redemption to even a hardened sinner.

Think of Jesus on the cross. The sinner at His side who repented and believed was told by Christ that today he woukd be with Jesus in paradise.

That hopefulness that even the most worthless soul can be redeemed by good and through God's love and mercy is a wonderful and beautiful thing and far better than a god who is al about vengeance, punishment and an eye for an eye.[/quote]

I don't find it beautiful. I think it tends to attract a corrupt person who isn't really conscientious of their actions, and doesn't care about others, because they'll be "saved." I think it appeals to certain people who are more selfishly minded, and I understand the appeal. But I don't understand it from perspective of respect for your fellow humanity.

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The goal of God is salvation of humanity. All people. All races. God doesn’t discriminate. If that’s selfish then what is fairness?[/quote]

Fairness, as I was taught, is the sum of the actions in your lifetime. Not a button you can reset all the time by repenting. Generally I still believe this, but without a belief in an afterlife. We can be better, we can know better with regards to our fellow humans, we can do better... but it doesn't negate our past behaviors.

But as mentioned, I no longer believe in religion. A God creating a game for his entertainment (with a goal of salvation, or what not) is absurd to me.

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Again, how does your former religion teach that you can tip the scales back if you commit serious crimes? If you kill someone, how can you repent of that? If you are a rapist, how can you repent of that to put yourself back in the good column. Honestly curious.[/quote]

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