Why (or why not) be Christian?

[Mustardseed86]

Continuing the "Will you make it to heaven?" threads started by @VincitVeritas which have become a more wide-ranging discussion about matters of faith, Christian belief.

Hope to see you on here when the last thread runs out of space! And new posters welcome too.

We've recently been discussing the evidence for God, the soul and life after death, and debating what constitutes reliable evidence in this context.

Also some talk about whether it's accurate to say humans are 'sinful' and why/why not, some discussion of Paul and the validity of his writings and status as an apostle, how the Bible was formed (and why other writings didn't make the canon) the basis of morality/ethics, whether Jesus's message was intended for an excusively Jewish audience, the meaning of Christ (or Messiah), church tradition and different denominations, end times and probably more I've forgotten!

@fleurneige, the title asks Christians why they are Christian. Which Christians have answered. The Christians on this thread are the only representatives of Christianity we have on this thread and we can only respond to people's posts in terms of our own personally held Christian beliefs. It is pointless to ask us to defend beliefs which are different from our own.

Excuse me?

And that they do try, and often succeed, in influencing laws and society.

@fleurneige, which 'they' do you have a problem with influencing laws and society? Like it or not, society contains people of various beliefs and none and as such there are many influences upon society. Would you not allow some people representation based upon their category of religious beliefs?

@fleurneige and exactly how as a living member of society are we expected not to have any influence upon said society?

Is this some Christian thing to deliberately misread what has been put, to try and close down debate?

@HannibalHeyes, I'm at a loss. Please explain what has been misread and how.

@Mustardseed86
all the various texts are all written by humans for humans, therefore there may be beings like eg Q from star trek, but anything human written then i dont trust

Yes. I think what is commonly referred to as “the big bang” has much merit (although I note there are quite a few in the scientific world that have alternative theories which are quite convincing-I especially like the black hole theory).

it’s amazing really how it reflects the Kabbalistic creation story regarding the shattering of the vessels. It’s like they were onto something, the contraction and explosion of light!

its interesting, I’ve never come across a scientific theory which excludes the possibility of a Divine force. The only thing it contradicts are some of the varying stories humans have created to try and define and talk about the ineffable, and then only if you take them literally.

All down to your beliefs - I don’t believe in imaginary gods of any type or version. Heaven or hell don’t exist and how I live my life doesn’t determine what happens to me when I die.

its interesting, I’ve never come across a scientific theory which excludes the possibility of a Divine force.

That's because we don't understand everything yet. So ANYTHING is a possibility, including a divine force or a goblin force or any other not yet to be discovered physical force.

That doesn't make a divine force any more likely imo.

Exactly. All belief is subjective. Just because some men wrote somethings down, during and in the following centuries after the Iron Age, doesn’t mean it’s god word - because no one has ever met this god, therefore it doesn’t make it true.

Exactly - and doesn’t make it any less likely either.

Science and the divine are perfectly capable of Co-existing and imo that is the most likely scenario

i believe imagination is god. Subtle differences though😀

You can't speak for everyone though. Many, many people have met God and had spiritual experiences. That may be subjective, but I believe it's a valid way to come to know something. Through revelation.

@Kdtym10

i believe imagination is god.

Hope not. My imagination hasn't always been constructive! 🥴Let's just say I am very thankful for forgiveness and new starts.🙂

Gods been destructive at times and restarted 😀

Just because some men wrote somethings down, during and in the following centuries after the Iron Age

@NotSoBetty, I'm always amazed by ancient technology when people discover buildings and constructions that are thousands of years old.

@Kdtym10 indeed.

Science yes but not an imaginary god

Forgiveness and new starts aren’t anything to do with religion or faith otherwise how would atheists be included?

What is this revelation? What form does it take?

Forgiveness and new starts aren’t anything to do with religion or faith otherwise how would atheists be included?

@Parker231, forgiveness and new starts is a large part of the subject matter of Christianity. And atheists can be included in that if they want to be. An atheist can do or think the same things as a Christian- no Christian would prevent them. The difference is that atheists do not purposely do or think things in unity with God because they don't believe in Him.

Why? How do you know God is imaginary? (I agree God is very linked to the imagination- but I suspect not in the way you do😃)

Where is he then?

Most people when they do something wrong will apologise and move on. It’s something you positively do regardless of faith