The wrong religions

Originally posted by Agerg
If you are a theist then I would assume that from your point of view, your religion is the correct choice and that you're very very lucky to have not been raised to follow one of those other *wrong* religions.

My questions are:

1) "Why is your religion correct whilst all others are wrong"
2) "What happens to all those infidels that worship false deitie ...[text shortened]... nd only true deity (or in some cases set and only set of true deities) when they die?

"Why is your religion correct whilst all others are wrong?"

This is a characteristic of monotheistic religions like Christianity and Islam. Polytheistic religions, like Heathenism, are not quite so insecure and don't require other types of theists to be wrong in order to be right.

Originally posted by Agerg
[b]God demands worship. Thou shall love the Lord thy God...
Loving God is the root of worship.
An excerpt from some religious book you hold to be true, whilst simultaneously having no religion? 😉[/b]

I think you're missing my point. "religion" is man made. I worship a living God who defines the terms.

Originally posted by scottishinnz
I'm not saying for a second that Jesus didn't exist. BUT, son of God literally or philosophically, or just a nice, enigmatic guy?

Likewise, on the existence of God, well, the universe exists - so what? The Universe is ordered - so what? We exist - and we're narcissistic to believe that that requires a higher power.

Come on LH, don't be shy - what are your thoughts?

The evidence shows that he wasn't just a nice, enigmatic guy (c.f. Redford above).

It's not narcissistic to think of necessary beings, first causes, etc. That's just reason.

Originally posted by Agerg
[b]1. It's not "my religion's evidence"; it's evidence available to any reasonable person.

But phraseology issues aside, this evidence which (luckily for you 😉 ) acts as vindication for your own particular faith does refute any and all assertions made by those who follow a different religion that their belief system is correct whilst all othe ...[text shortened]... ndemned for his un-swaying dedication to a different belief system? (including atheism)[/b]

1a. It's not a matter of luck. But yes.
1b. Yes.

2a. Broadly, yes.
2b. No.

Originally posted by lucifershammer
1a. It's not a matter of luck. But yes.
1b. Yes.

2a. Broadly, yes.
2b. No.

hmm...😉 very curious!

1a. It's not a matter of luck. But yes.
I disagree, I'd say you are extremely lucky for if you had been born into a society such that you followed Islam as opposed to the particular sub-set of Christian doctrine that you espouse then you'd be practicing a wrong religion! Either that or for any societies YOU are born into, the religion forced upon you is always correct whilst all others are wrong! No, I'd say you are extremely lucky LH!

1b. Yes.
Man, we're on the verge of world-peace here!!! Quick...assemble and show us this evidence of yours in it's complete form such that all may at once discern the falsity of their own evidence and beliefs (that might often seem to resemble yours).

Originally posted by Agerg
hmm...😉 very curious!

[b]1a. It's not a matter of luck. But yes.
I disagree, I'd say you are extremely lucky for if you had been born into a society such that you followed Islam as opposed to the particular sub-set of Christian doctrine that you espouse then you'd be practicing a wrong religion! Either that or for any societies YOU are born into, the ...[text shortened]... n the falsity of their own evidence and beliefs (that might often seem to resemble yours).[/b]

1a. You don't know anything about my personal spiritual journey, Agerg.

1b. I've already provided some references earlier in the thread.

Originally posted by lucifershammer
1a. You don't know anything about my personal spiritual journey, Agerg.

1b. I've already provided some references earlier in the thread.

1a. You don't know anything about my personal spiritual journey, Agerg.
But I do know that your faith must be true whilst all other are wrong (apparantly)... from your own admission!...this makes you very lucky indeed.

1b. I've already provided some references earlier in the thread.
But clearly I, and others are not nearly as reasonable as you...please distill this evidence into a form such that we may all profit from your enlightenment...Surely this legacy you will leave for the rest of the world is worth some small effort on your part!!!

Originally posted by josephw
I think you're missing my point. "religion" is man made. I worship a living God who defines the terms.

I think you're missing my point. "religion" is man made. I worship a living God who defines the terms.

But apparantly he is not consistent in his definitions of these terms; hence we have different *books of truth* etc... Logically, If book X is handed down to us from God then all other books that contradict book X should be not true, and as such I would argue that they are man made. Any beliefs and practices that are founded upon the premises of these dodgy books would be considered a religion...Are your beliefs and practices derived from that Book X Josephw?...If so, why is this book correct whilst others are less correct?

Originally posted by lucifershammer
The evidence shows that he wasn't just a nice, enigmatic guy (c.f. Redford above).

It's not narcissistic to think of necessary beings, first causes, etc. That's just reason.

What evidence regarding Jesus? What records do we have other than the bible? You can't use the bible to verify the bible - that's not logically valid.

I never said it was narcissistic to explore our origins, it's just narcissistic to think that humans are oh so special as to require an intelligent designer or whatever, based upon a complete lack of evidence for that designer.

Originally posted by josephw
I should really wait and think about how I should answer your questions, but I'm impulsive so I won't.

The easy answer to your 1st question is, because he deserves it. After all he made me.

This next question requires a good deal more explanation, but, again, the easy answer is no. But there would be trouble, but not the way you might think.

God dem ...[text shortened]... t now my 16 year old daughter is begging me to take her on a drive. She's got her temps now!

As an agnostic I don't deny the possibility that there may be a God. I'm even prepared to accept the logical possibility of a God that cares for us. What I find really difficult to believe in is that an infinitely wise being, capable of creating a universe, would get particularly upset over his creation not believing in him. Wanting to be noticed and worshipped strikes me as a human weakness and not something a divine entity would be prey to.

Originally posted by DeepThought
As an agnostic I don't deny the possibility that there may be a God. I'm even prepared to accept the logical possibility of a God that cares for us. What I find really difficult to believe in is that an infinitely wise being, capable of creating a universe, would get particularly upset over his creation not believing in him. Wanting to be noticed and worshipped strikes me as a human weakness and not something a divine entity would be prey to.

Consider this; If life comes from God, and that life chooses to reject the life giver, what happens to that life? Answer; It dies.

Please forgive the apparent smugness. It may sound that way because I'm trying to be direct, and uncomplicated.

I think God is very sad precisely because he is loving and cares for us more than we can comprehend, and that is why he sent his son to suffer on our behalf.

Originally posted by Agerg
[b]I think you're missing my point. "religion" is man made. I worship a living God who defines the terms.

But apparantly he is not consistent in his definitions of these terms; hence we have different *books of truth* etc... Logically, If book X is handed down to us from God then all other books that contradict book X should be not true, and as such I w ...[text shortened]... d from that Book X Josephw?...If so, why is this book correct whilst others are less correct?[/b]

I can't prove that the bible is God's word. At least not here. But if in fact God did inspire some 40 men to write his message to mankind, would it not stand to reason that he would also preserve it?
Of course his communications to us can and is corrupted.

Originally posted by josephw
I can't prove that the bible is God's word. At least not here. But if in fact God did inspire some 40 men to write his message to mankind, would it not stand to reason that he would also preserve it?
Of course his communications to us can and is corrupted.

But you do hold that the Bible is more correct than say...the Qu-ran or any other books yes? Therefore the majority of people that do not hold to this belief must be wrong!

Now then, why is this book correct and other less correct?

Originally posted by Agerg
But you do hold that the Bible is more correct than say...the Qu-ran or any other books yes? Therefore the majority of people that do not hold to this belief must be wrong!

Now then, why is this book correct and other less correct?

Consider the prophetic record. No other religious writing predicts the future, as far as I know, with complete accuracy.

And one other very important thing, imo, is the the offer of the gift of eternal life for free. ALL other religious systems require works for admission to heaven. But the bible tells us that Jesus paid or sins debt, the work of the cross. Now all we do, without doing anything, is believe it, and God will give us this free gift.

And concerning your last statement. It is as abhorrent to me as it is to you the fate of all who fail to believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

Broad is the way....

The bible doesn't always paint a pretty picture. And this world is in deep trouble.

Originally posted by josephw
Consider the prophetic record. No other religious writing predicts the future, as far as I know, with complete accuracy.

And one other very important thing, imo, is the the offer of the gift of eternal life for free. ALL other religious systems require works for admission to heaven. But the bible tells us that Jesus paid or sins debt, the work of the cros ...[text shortened]... way....

The bible doesn't always paint a pretty picture. And this world is in deep trouble.

Consider the prophetic record. No other religious writing predicts the future, as far as I know, with complete accuracy.

Do these prophesies specify exact events, at exact times, by exact agents, for exact durations? or are they vague enough such that one can retroactively fulfill those prophesies by engineering it's words in a certain way?