Woody wrote:I have some questions for the religious folk among us. What are their thoughts on the following

Which religion is correct?

Do you think what you believe is more accurate than what others believe? If so, why?

Or are you all possibly on the same train and just don't realize it?

Are newer religions more correct or less correct than old religions?

What about paganism/earth worship?

Do you think in, say, 750 years Scientology will have gained mainstream acceptance? If not, why?

I found Tim Keller's The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism helpfull for all but maybe your last point.


http://www.amazon.com/Reason-God-Belief-Age-Skepticism/dp/0525950494/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231436297&sr=8-1

gusmoney wrote:I found Tim Keller's The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism helpfull for all but maybe your last point.


http://www.amazon.com/Reason-God-Belief-Age-Skepticism/dp/0525950494/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231436297&sr=8-1

Not to speak for Woody, but my problem with this sort of thing is that it seems like it would only appeal to somebody who already believes, or who wants to believe and is looking for a reason. For a comfortable agnostic/atheist, what's the incentive to read a whole book? Is the argument for God really that complicated?

Is there a Cliffs Notes version of this somewhere?

I thought that book was all wordgames, which were somewhat intriguing in knocking down the arguments against believing, but the second half, which was supposed to have arguments for, was pretty weak. I have a copy if anyone wants it.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:I'd rather mock literalism than hold Christians to it.

This is similar to my own belief on the subject (and literature in general as well---I'm of the mind that the only texts that should be interpreted literally are instruction manuals and cookbooks). One obvious problem is the hypocrisy of picking and choosing what you want to be literal and what to be metaphorical. The biggest stretch in the Bible has to do with men arising from the dead, yet if you don't interpret that literally the major tenet of the faith crumbles.

I think it's an interesting dilemma and I really enjoy hearing the various defenses for biblical interpretation. I come from a mixed background, Catholic on my mother's side of the family, but I was raised in the Orthodox faith, so I've grown up with various interpretations (although the differences between the two aren't all that substantial).

phatj wrote:

gusmoney wrote:I found Tim Keller's The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism helpfull for all but maybe your last point.


http://www.amazon.com/Reason-God-Belief-Age-Skepticism/dp/0525950494/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231436297&sr=8-1

Not to speak for Woody, but my problem with this sort of thing is that it seems like it would only appeal to somebody who already believes, or who wants to believe and is looking for a reason. For a comfortable agnostic/atheist, what's the incentive to read a whole book? Is the argument for God really that complicated?

Is there a Cliffs Notes version of this somewhere?

I have read the majority of the book and agree that it is a solid read. Tim Keller is a pastor in NYC and people from all walks of life attended his church from believers to non believers and from rich to poor. He has a unique gift to preach, write, and just talk to people about God.

Woody wrote:I have some questions for the religious folk among us. What are their thoughts on the following

Woody wrote:Which religion is correct?

Many religions are great as a philosphy, but I believe that Christianity is correct as a belief. To be granted entrance to God's kingdom, you might not have to be religious, you just have to believe that Christ is the savior. Who wouldn't want Him to be? He will wash away your sins!

Woody wrote:Do you think what you believe is more accurate than what others believe? If so, why?

I do believe that what I believe is more accurate than what non-Christians believe (and here again I am talking religion, not philosophy). I do not have proof. One does not need faith if there is inarguable evidence. All I need is to know that Christ existed in history, we have his word and the acts of his followers in the New Testament, and I know that He hears my prayers.

Woody wrote:Or are you all possibly on the same train and just don't realize it?

The philosophies of many religions do overlap, which I do realize. I think many people avoid church because services are boring. I actually agree with this, which is why I don't go every single week. The young adult bible study that I attend is actually very enjoyable, however.

Woody wrote:Are newer religions more correct or less correct than old religions?

If you're talking about Unitarianism here...it's good in theory, but I think it just ends up being a waste of everyone's time. But that's my opinion. I generally don't express an opinion of other people's different religions if they are hard core about them. Not my personality or politeness/confrontation level.

Woody wrote:What about paganism/earth worship?

Paganism can be fun for holiday traditions like Krampus, but as a religion, it is wrong. The earth is God's dominion. Don't worship it, care for it to glorify God.

Woody wrote:Do you think in, say, 750 years Scientology will have gained mainstream acceptance? If not, why?

I hope not.

We honestly don't know that Christ existed, though

The Dude wrote:We honestly don't know that Christ existed, though

Well there are multiple schools of thought on everything. Scholars who are much more scholarly than myself have laid it out for us on Wikipedia, the contemporary bible of mankind:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_history

was that a real response by thedude?

holy crap

jamiethekiller wrote:was that a real response by thedude?

holy crap

Which dude?

Jesus is a cool guy. His dad's a bit of a son of a bitch though. Grumpy old man syndrome there.

jamiethekiller wrote:was that a real response by thedude?

holy crap

Mine was real

TheDude24 wrote:

jamiethekiller wrote:was that a real response by thedude?

holy crap

Which dude?

you.


religion is fucking insane.

Now we're cooking with hot sauce

Woody wrote:Now we're cooking with hot sauce

One knifetip Turkish hash

Hooray, another thread for Crashburn to be an insensitive asshole in!

jerseyhoya wrote:Hooray, another thread for Crashburn to be an insensitive asshat in!

It's just a facade. It's a defense he puts up to the outside world to mask the pain of his broken relationship with his father (Father?)

Woody wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:Hooray, another thread for Crashburn to be an insensitive asshat in!

It's just a facade. It's a defense he puts up to the outside world to mask the pain of his broken relationship with his father (Father?)

It's façade not facade. Get it right.

I just need a shoulder to cry on. Can you be that shoulder, Woodrow?

Perhaps it is the Lord that you seek