to not understand why Christians think Jesus died for our sins?

[switcheroooo]

If Jesus died for everyone's sins, does that mean people are not accountable for their actions? You can kill people, steal and lie but have a protected status because Jesus died for your sins.

How does this work? Why are people not responsible for their own sins? Where is the justice?

For now yes. Enjoy for a little while.

Sounds like a threat?

Forever - the day of judgement is a religious myth. It’s not fact.

So God didn’t do that. He created man & woman perfect and then there was the original sin : the apple in Eden. So they were not perfect anymore and casted out of his presence.

Do you never die then? You will enjoy life forever - have you found a way to eternal life?

Is everything a threat to you? We have laws and regulations wherever we live, do you find those a threat too?

Wasn't Eve blamed for this?

No - they are factual and sensible rather than a threat from a religion that if I don’t behave in a certain way, something bad will happen to me.
As an atheist, life is much more straightforward (and enjoyable). Nothing bad from a religious perspective is going to happen to me.

When I die, I die= the end. Like everyone else. Eternal life only exists in some people’s imagination.

You sound very confident that nothing will happen to you. Good luck!

You said you would enjoy life forever 😂

Yes - forever - as long as I live.

I can’t think of any ways life could be better - I’ve been very fortunate

Adam blamed her and God sent them both away.

Plenty of factual evidence of the existence of dinosaurs - why people wouldn’t believe hard facts I don’t know.

What if you are wrong, though?

Well, he did. As you say God casted them out of his presence. God is omnipotent so didn't have to do that.

Not wasting any time worrying about that. Enjoy life !

Did God not put the apple there though? Or was that Lucifer?

God was unhappy with the way things were going so sent Jesus. What if he got much more unhappy as time went on & created another world? Mk 2? Jesus had to tell him to forgive us as it was.

Also, arguably it was easier to believe if you lived then and witnessed the resurrection?

Why not send new commandments to clear a few things up/reboot & update?

You just said it. God is omnipotent so he didn’t really leave.

I believe you are arguing on free will. I am for it, if you are against...well we will have to agree to disagree.

I'm so sorry, @UndertheCedartree, that you didn't find the answers you needed on the Alpha course you attended. I suppose that, similar to a secular course, some Alpha courses are better than others. If you really want to find out the answers to your questions, do try Alpha at another church (or The Christianity Explored course is excellent). And do read Mark's gospel - or John's gospel -and sincerely ask God to speak to you before you do. But whatever, don't expect answers to everything. No professor of any subject under the sun would say that she / he has all the answers and explanations to every question on their subject. They, like Christians, are always questioning and learning more about the thing most important to them. For Christians, we are learning more all the time about God and His Son Jesus. And one more thing - Christianity is actually a relationship. A relationship with Jesus. And like any relationship, the longer you are in that relationship, the more you learn about the person you love. It's really worth the effort.

Very interesting so for example if someone run you over knowing it isn’t good...that is the fault of the auto maker because he created it.

Again, this is an argument on free will, if you are not wanting to endorse your own moral compass...we will have to agree to disagree.

I remember Philip Pullman being asked this and he said “God will forgive me, that’s his job.” Now while that is maybe a tad arrogant, I kind of agree - or at least, if God isn’t really all-merciful and endlessly loving, but would chuck you into hell (or just exclude you from heaven) for not believing in him, I don’t like the sound of him much anyway.

I’m an atheist but also of the view that anything could be true, as we don’t understand reality and existence at all when it comes down to it. But if I do ever think about a deity, I’d only want to believe in one who was genuinely full of love and was big enough not to demand obeisance.

That’s not to disrespect Christians who do believe- I think it’s personal for everyone but I can’t reconcile with the idea of a god who cares more about your belief than your behaviour.

Back in 2013 Pope Francis stated that God forgives those who follow their conscience, even if they don't believe in God.

As an atheist I’m not looking for someone I don’t believe exists to forgive me anything. His forgiveness isn’t worth anything to me.