Christianity

[_MsJack]

Do you believe that you have to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior to go to heaven?

Absolutely.

I'm also a soteriological inclusivist though. I don't know for certain that a person who is not a Christian or died without the chance to hear the Christian gospel is going to hell.

You can hardly fault atheists for assuming that Christians believe what is written in their own bibles.

One, where is it written that rival groups of believers are going to hell? Mark 9:38-40 would indicate otherwise, as would the highly pluralistic nature of early Christianity and ancient Israel.

Two, it isn't the Bible that governs Christian life and belief. It's interpretation of the Bible. An atheist who wishes to critique Christianity needs to be aware not only of what the Bible says, but how Christians are interpreting the Bible and applying it to their theologies and their lives. For example, critiquing Christians and Christianity for forcing women to wear head coverings in their church assemblies would be pretty silly because, even though that's written in the Bible (1 Cor. 11:2-16), very few Christians today interpret those verses in a way that calls for women to continue that practice.

In any case, under normal circumstances I don't fault atheists for being ignorant of Christianity. But when they take it upon themselves to ridicule Christianity, I think it's only appropriate that they do their homework on the matter and learn what it is they think they're ridiculing. Ignorance can be innocent enough, but an ignoramus who is contemptuous over the subject s/he's ignorant of is just farcical.

[_Buffalo]

Regarding #8: What is up with people's aversion to many gods? I mean, sure it might be false but why the aversion and disgust with such an idea as if it is dirty?

Must be those Old Testament genocides. It'd have to be pretty dirty if God wanted thousands of babies slaughtered over it.

[_Buffalo]

You can hardly fault atheists for assuming that Christians believe what is written in their own bibles.

One, where is it written that rival groups of believers are going to hell? Mark 9:38-40 would indicate otherwise, as would the highly pluralistic nature of early Christianity and ancient Israel.

Two, it isn't the Bible that governs Christian life and belief. It's interpretation of the Bible. An atheist who wishes to critique Christianity needs to be aware not only of what the Bible says, but how Christians are interpreting the Bible and applying it to their theologies and their lives. For example, critiquing Christians and Christianity for forcing women to wear head coverings in their church assemblies would be pretty silly because, even though that's written in the Bible (1 Cor. 11:2-16), very few Christians today interpret those verses in a way that calls for women to continue that practice.

In any case, under normal circumstances I don't fault atheists for being ignorant of Christianity. But when they take it upon themselves to ridicule Christianity, I think it's only appropriate that they do their homework on the matter and learn what it is they think they're ridiculing. Ignorance can be innocent enough, but an ignoramus who is contemptuous over the subject s/he's ignorant of is just farcical.

That's a minor point. The majority of people in the world don't believe in Jesus, and according to the Bible, are going to hell.

Christians may interpret the Bible any which way they choose, but "interpret" is really just another way of saying "ignoring the things that make us uncomfortable."

Atheists tend to know a lot more about the Bible than Christians, by the way. Even Mormons know more about it than most Christians.

[_MsJack]

That's a minor point. The majority of people in the world don't believe in Jesus, and according to the Bible, are going to hell.

No, it does not. In fact, the Bible says that representatives of every tribe, language, people and nation will be in heaven (Rev. 5:9). Since entire societies have risen and died without ever having heard the Christian gospel, it's safe to assume some of those people will make it to heaven somehow--which is why inclusivism is useful to me.

Or at least, that's my interpretation of what the Bible says, and I would argue that it's just as valid as exclusivism.

Also, you didn't answer my question.

Christians may interpret the Bible any which way they choose, but "interpret" is really just another way of saying "ignoring the things that make us uncomfortable."

You're free to interpret things that way if you want. It's just your way of ignoring the points I've made that make you uncomfortable.

Atheists tend to know a lot more about the Bible than Christians, by the way.

Pity that the author of the graphic in your OP wasn't one of them.

[_Rambo]

I pass, baby. Not a one of those apply to me. I'm so happy.

I did find a few pretty funnythough.. pep pep.

love ya tons,
stem

That is because you are Mormon so this makes sense :)

[_Buffalo]

That's a minor point. The majority of people in the world don't believe in Jesus, and according to the Bible, are going to hell.

No, it does not. In fact, the Bible says that representatives of every tribe, language, people and nation will be in heaven (Rev. 5:9). Since entire societies have risen and died without ever having heard the Christian gospel, it's safe to assume some of those people will make it to heaven somehow--which is why inclusivism is useful to me.

Or at least, that's my interpretation of what the Bible says, and I would argue that it's just as valid as exclusivism.

Also, you didn't answer my question.

Christians may interpret the Bible any which way they choose, but "interpret" is really just another way of saying "ignoring the things that make us uncomfortable."

You're free to interpret things that way if you want. It's just your way of ignoring the points I've made that make you uncomfortable.

Atheists tend to know a lot more about the Bible than Christians, by the way.

Pity that the author of the graphic in your OP wasn't one of them.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I'm not sure how you would interpret that away, but I'm sure you'll find some way to do it. :)

[_stemelbow]

That is because you are Mormon so this makes sense :)

pep pep...we Mormons can be a jovial bunch ready to joke around.

love ya tons,
stem

[_zeezrom]

pep pep...

What is that? Do you talk like this in real life?

I think it would be pretty cool if you did. Seriously. It is different and that's great. If I was sitting in my office and some guy said, "Pep pep Zee. You have a great idea for increasing sales. Well, I gotta go. Love ya tons! bye."

That would make me smile.

[_MrStakhanovite]

Honestly Buffalo…

Jack has been studying the Bible since she was a teen, and has been around the apologetics scene long enough to see all this before. She’s been trained in the languages that the scriptures were preserved in, and I’m pretty sure she knows how to do a decent exegesis of a passage. She has enough intellectual honesty to point out bad evangelical arguments, so I give her a serious listen if she says the same about atheist side of things.

Your picture is just a caricature, and any Christian who actually took their faith seriously could demonstrate that.

[_Quasimodo]

Regarding #8: What is up with people's aversion to many gods? I mean, sure it might be false but why the aversion and disgust with such an idea as if it is dirty?

Insecurity about their own beliefs?