‘Eternal suffering’ is nonsensical

Originally posted by @romans1009

FMF: Would your giving-to-charity be more righteous than my giving-to-charity, assuming that our goals were the same, the chosen charity were the same, and the amounts were the same?

Originally posted by @romans1009
I would say the Christian giving to charity would be more righteous (in right standing with God) if the amounts and charities were identical. The reason is because God looks on the heart and not the outward appearance or outward act.

What if my giving-to-charity is done in secret?

Originally posted by @dj2becker
From my understanding of scripture everyone's best works are like filthy rags before God when those works are done in the flesh.

So you believe there is a supernatural dimension to you helping your mother that sets you apart from a non-Christian helping his or her mother?

Originally posted by @fmf
I thought one is an example of righteousness and the other one is "dirty rags". What do all the things you mention have to do with it?

I thought you were trying to make an apples-to-apples comparison (like you did with the charitable giving) and was pointing out there are too many variables for an apples-to-apples comparison to be valid.

Originally posted by @thinkofone
That would be believe the gospel preached by Jesus during His ministry

And you are saying the gospel preached by Jesus does not require us to have any faith at all?

Originally posted by @fmf
FMF: [b]Would your giving-to-charity be more righteous than my giving-to-charity, assuming that our goals were the same, the chosen charity were the same, and the amounts were the same?

Originally posted by @romans1009
I would say the Christian giving to charity would be more righteous (in right standing with God) if the amounts and charities ...[text shortened]... ot the outward appearance or outward act.

What if my giving-to-charity is done in secret?[/b]

You really want to belabor this, don’t you?

You, or any atheist, could give $5,000 to charity and it wouldn’t make you righteous (in right standing with God) because that or other “good works” is not what makes you righteous.

Originally posted by @romans1009
I thought you were trying to make an apples-to-apples comparison (like you did with the charitable giving) and was pointing out there are too many variables for an apples-to-apples comparison to be valid.

I am asking you about your distorted, highly ideological use of the word "righteousness" ~ vis a vis a Christian caring for his mother ~ and comparing it to the conventional meaning of the word as it applies to a person caring for his mother [would he even think of such an obviously humane thing to do as being "righteousness", probably not] whilst not trying to please a supernatural being, because he doesn't believe in one. It's your superstitious use of the word "righteousness" that makes the apples-to-apples thing difficult, but not impossible.

Originally posted by @romans1009
You really want to belabor this, don’t you?

Well, to my way of thinking, your moral framework is not withstanding the scrutiny.

Originally posted by @fmf
So you believe there is a supernatural dimension to you helping your mother that sets you apart from a non-Christian helping his or her mother?

You seem a little slow today. Which part of neither me or an atheist helping our mothers makes us righteous before God don't you get?

Originally posted by @fmf
I am asking you about your distorted, highly ideological use of the word "righteousness" ~ vis a vis a Christian caring for his mother ~ and comparing it to the conventional meaning of the word as it applies to a person caring for his mother [would he even think of such an obviously humane thing to do as being "righteousness", probably not] whilst not trying to ...[text shortened]... of the word "righteousness" that makes the apples-to-apples thing difficult, but not impossible.

He believes what the Bible says and you don't. That is where the fundamental difference lies.

Originally posted by @romans1009
You, or any atheist, could give $5,000 to charity and it wouldn’t make you righteous (in right standing with God) because that or other “good works” is not what makes you righteous.

When I said "What if my giving-to-charity is done in secret?" I was referencing this:

"I would say the Christian giving to charity would be more righteous (in right standing with God) if the amounts and charities were identical. The reason is because God looks on the heart and not the outward appearance or outward act."

You said God looks on the heart and not the outward appearance or outward act.

So I am asking you What if my giving-to-charity is done in secret? Meaning the charity is done with the heart and there is no outward appearance or outward act.

Originally posted by @fmf
When I said "What if my giving-to-charity is done in secret?" I was referencing this:

"I would say the Christian giving to charity would be more righteous (in right standing with God) if the amounts and charities were identical. The reason is because God looks on the heart and not the outward appearance or outward act."

You said [i]God looks on the heart ...[text shortened]... t? Meaning the charity is done with the heart and there is no outward appearance or outward act.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Ponder upon that for a while and all your silly arguments will dissipate.

Originally posted by @fmf
I am asking you about your distorted, highly ideological use of the word "righteousness" ~ vis a vis a Christian caring for his mother ~ and comparing it to the conventional meaning of the word as it applies to a person caring for his mother [would he even think of such an obviously humane thing to do as being "righteousness", probably not] whilst not trying to ...[text shortened]... of the word "righteousness" that makes the apples-to-apples thing difficult, but not impossible.

Well give me your definition (or the non-Biblical definition) of righteousness.

And I never claimed - as you falsely said I did - that being the sole caretaker of my elderly mother made me righteous or was an example of my righteousness. You had asked me for an example of my “good works” and I cited that and contributing money to Christian-based charities as two examples.

Good works don’t make anyone righteous (in right standing with God.) That’s the false “works-based” salvation that atheists seem to be enamored with.

Originally posted by @dj2becker
Without faith it is impossible to please God.

It sounds like a rather ludicrous manmade notion. It doesn't sound like a 'divinely inspired' concept at all. But if it appeals to you and gives you what you need psychologically as your finite existence looms over you, then good for you.

Originally posted by @fmf
Well, to my way of thinking, your moral framework is not withstanding the scrutiny.

Gee, there’s a shocker.

Ponder this for an explanation of why:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.“

(1 Corinthians 2:14)

Originally posted by @romans1009
I never claimed - as you falsely said I did - that being the sole caretaker of my elderly mother made me righteous or was an example of my righteousness. You had asked me for an example of my “good works” and I cited that and contributing money to Christian-based charities as two examples.

Are your 'good works' the opposite of righteousness then? Please explain.