‘Eternal suffering’ is nonsensical

Originally posted by @fmf
No, I am not. I am presenting him with the implications of his words which, by the way, come across as rote-learned bits of dogma being trotted out, which means he may not have spent much time thinking about their implications.

It seems you (and other atheists) resort to insults when you’ve been busted on substance. Not interested in responding to trolling insults. If you’ve got nothing substantive to say in response to something I said, maybe you ought to spend some time in reflection and contemplation instead of assuaging your wounded pride by lashing out with insults.

Originally posted by @thinkofone
You have a think on it.

No amount of thinking will make me imagine the words you are putting in there.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. You have a think about that.

Originally posted by @thinkofone
John 8
4Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
31 ...If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.

, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Romans 10:17
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Originally posted by @romans1009
I said being the sole caretaker for my elderly mother and contributing money to Christian-based charities were examples of my “good works.” I never ssid they made me righteous, because good works don’t make someone righteous.

So 'good works' done by a Christian are not examples of righteousness?

Originally posted by @romans1009
It seems you (and other atheists) resort to insults when you’ve been busted on substance. Not interested in responding to trolling insults. If you’ve got nothing substantive to say in response to something I said, maybe you ought to spend some time in reflection and contemplation instead of assuaging your wounded pride by lashing out with insults.

What insults?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Romans 10:17
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

The gospel preached by Jesus during His ministry or the gospel of Paul?

Choices. Choices.

Originally posted by @romans1009
The “filthy rags” reference was to the idea that a human being’s “good works” could make him righteous (in right standing with God.)

So an atheist being the sole caretaker for his or her elderly mother and contributing money to charities is doing things that are akin to "filthy rags"? And you being the sole caretaker for your elderly mother and contributing money to charities are not akin to "filthy rags" because of your religious beliefs?

Originally posted by @thinkofone
That may be how you see it, but God saw things differently:

Ezekiel 18
21“But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22“All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because ...[text shortened]...

But then, perhaps they were unfamiliar with the "Biblical definition of righteous"

First of all, the book of Ezekiel is from the Old Testament, which is before Jesus Christ arrived on earth.

You should have quoted the 1 John chapter 3 verses that preceded the two verses you quoted to provide the context:

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.“

Originally posted by @romans1009
First of all, the book of Ezekiel is from the Old Testament, which is before Jesus Christ arrived on earth.

You should have quoted the 1 John chapter 3 verses that preceded the two verses you quoted to provide the context:

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world kn ...[text shortened]... devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.“

"sons of God" are defined here:
"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God."

Originally posted by @thinkofone
The gospel preached by Jesus during His ministry or the gospel of Paul?

Choices. Choices.

Jesus said repent and believe the gospel. You are saying we don't have to believe?

Originally posted by @divegeester
What I asked I asked for was how you reconcile eternal torture in hell by your (and others) version of Jesus with scriptures such as John 3:16.

What I did not ask you for was a list of scriptures you have chosen to prop up your horrendous dogma an reinforce your mindset of religious vindictiveness.

What, in your view, would be the proper dispensation for a human being who died in his or her sins, whose sins had not been forgiven?

It seems you do not agree with the concept of justice and a just God and are also ignoring the mercy that accompanies it,

If a man who committed a series of crimes appeared before a judge, should the judge not declare him guilty if he is guilty?

But what if the judge pronounced him guilty but then offered not only to suspend his sentence but to give him a home filled with peace and love?

And instead of accepting that offer, the criminal said, “No! I want the punishment. I reject the suspended sentence and offer of a home filled with peace and love.”

Would you blame the judge for the man’s imprisonment?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Jesus said repent and believe the gospel. You are saying we don't have to believe?

That would be believe the gospel preached by Jesus during His ministry

Originally posted by @fmf
So an atheist being the sole caretaker for his or her elderly mother and contributing money to charities is doing things that are akin to "filthy rags"? And you being the sole caretaker for your elderly mother and contributing money to charities are not akin to "filthy rags" because of your religious beliefs?

We already went over this. I’m not going to answer the same questions over and over. Just look back a few pages at what I posted when you asked the same question before.

Originally posted by @romans1009
We already went over this. I’m not going to answer the same questions over and over. Just look back a few pages at what I posted when you asked the same question before.

The reason I am asking you again is specifically because you now appear to be trying to obfuscate your use of the self-aggrandizing word "righteous" and the dehumanizing words "filthy rags".

So an atheist being the sole caretaker for his or her elderly mother and contributing money to charities is doing things that are akin to "filthy rags"? Yes or No?

You being the sole caretaker for your elderly mother and contributing money to charities are not akin to "filthy rags" because of your religious beliefs? Yes or No?

If I felt you'd already answered this in a clear way, I wouldn't be asking you again.

If I have pushed you to the limit of your ability to properly explain the doctrine that you have internalized, and which you may well believe simply makes sense every time you recite it for people, then so be it.

Originally posted by @fmf
So 'good works' done by a Christian are not examples of righteousness?

Finally! I think you got it!

Good works do not make one righteous (in right standing with God) regardless of who does them!