Christianity

[_Calculus Crusader]

Calculus is obviously a legend in his own mind, and such an internet badass!

I don't suffer fools gladly.

[_Buffalo]

Calculus is obviously a legend in his own mind, and such an internet badass!

I don't suffer fools gladly.

You're an inspiration to us all. Or at least yourself.

[_Molok]

Calculus is obviously a legend in his own mind, and such an internet badass!

I don't suffer fools gladly.

Nor should you! Just who the hell do these chumps think they are, questioning your knowledge? You're Calculus-mother-fucking-Crusader!

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

[_Calculus Crusader]

Molok and Doctor CAMNC4Me:

Damn straight.

[_MsJack]

I wasn't disputing your comments on denominationalism and inclusivism

I'm glad you've conceded that the author of the graphic you endorsed in your OP was embarrassingly ignorant of Christianity. Better late than never.

but that is completely irrelevant.

Um, your OP is the subject of this thread. The fact that the author was laughably ignorant of modern-day Christianity is completely relevant.

The fact remains that, according the Bible, your supposedly loving God will torture the vast majority of humanity for all eternity simply for not worshiping him

I'm sorry, where have you shown this? I already responded to the one verse you cited. You never explained how Revelation 5:9 fits into your interpretation of what the Bible teaches. You certainly haven't demonstrated why your interpretation of what the Bible teaches is more valid than mine.

But you do so at the expense of your Bible. I'm just pointing that out.

Again, you haven't show this. Furthermore, your OP wasn't a critique of the Bible, it was a critique of Christians and Christianity, which is what I've responded to.

And on that note, Barna found in a 2009 survey that 65% of American Christians believe members of other religions can go to heaven. That included 47% of evangelical Christians, so I don't think your "liberals" theory is very strong.

Wait, wait, let me guess: atheists just can't be bothered to find out what the majority of Christians actually say on a given subject, right?

[_Calculus Crusader]

Then by your own admission, what you wrote previously was incorrect. Jews had a concept of hell, even if it came "later."

It evolved later, like all religious beliefs, but it's not found in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 66:24

24 And they shall go out and look at the dead bodies of the people who have rebelled against me; for their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.


Dan 12:2

2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

[_huckelberry]

Do not be an unquestioning Christian.

huck,

I take that for granted. However, as Buffalo's responses indicate, he/she appears to see questioning and Christian as mutually exclusive categories. At least, that's the read I take from Buffalo's need to see fundamentalism as the gold standard for Christian belief. If Buffalo really was only targeting unthinking Christians, then I have no problem and will join in the chuckle. Unfortunately, the responses indicate that wasn't the case.

Aristotle, I think you have made some good points in this thread, your replies have value. I like the contrast between your implication that the value of the Bible lies in active interpretation and Buffalo's implication that the Bibles fundamental meaning is there prior to interpretation, best found by thinking less.

My comment was trying to take a step back from my disgust with the opening post. I am not willing to point to fundamentalist as the target. I think fundamentalist are much more sensative thoughtful questioning and enquiring than the ugly charactures of the opening post. I may not agree with fundamentalist in all things but fundamentalism has been a movement lead by thinking people who were hardly unaware of interpretation. Yes there are people who become examples of the opposite. There are people who laugh at the beliefs of others without understanding them. That is the one criticism in the opening post in which I could see truth.. It has application at times to individuals in all sorts of groups not just fundamentalists or believers.

[_AlwaysIntrigued]

While a lot of Christians DO act in a rather ignorant manner, this can't be said for all Christians. I consider myself a pretty religious gal and I've made it my goal to study lots of religions. While I'm looking for insight in mostly Christian sects, I certainly want to learn more about religions outside of Christian sects (Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Wicca, etc.).

Our world is CONDENSED with different religions; rich in culture. As someone who considers themselves open minded, I have to say that I don't fit THIS particular definition of Christian. I'm a little more open minded and loving. :)

[_Buffalo]

I'm glad you've conceded that the author of the graphic you endorsed in your OP was embarrassingly ignorant of Christianity. Better late than never.

Um, your OP is the subject of this thread. The fact that the author was laughably ignorant of modern-day Christianity is completely relevant.

I'm sorry, where have you shown this? I already responded to the one verse you cited. You never explained how Revelation 5:9 fits into your interpretation of what the Bible teaches. You certainly haven't demonstrated why your interpretation of what the Bible teaches is more valid than mine.

Again, you haven't show this. Furthermore, your OP wasn't a critique of the Bible, it was a critique of Christians and Christianity, which is what I've responded to.

And on that note, Barna found in a 2009 survey that 65% of American Christians believe members of other religions can go to heaven. That included 47% of evangelical Christians, so I don't think your "liberals" theory is very strong.

Wait, wait, let me guess: atheists just can't be bothered to find out what the majority of Christians actually say on a given subject, right?

I'm glad you can acknowledge that most Christians are out of harmony with the Bible. And I'm afraid your "interpretations" (distortions) can't compete with the clear words of your savior on this subject.

"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."

Jesus said very few will be saved, and most will take the road that leads to destruction. Your God is going to torture billions of people for all eternity for failing to worship him. That sort of sadism and egotism doesn't bother you?