RE: proof of end times?
November 29, 2008 at 6:09 pm
(This post was last modified: November 29, 2008 at 6:12 pm by Psalm 23.)
(November 29, 2008 at 3:42 pm)Tiberius Wrote: The problem you have there is that we have no external sources to back up the claims of the New Testament. There are no historical references to Jesus doing anything spectacular other than the ones in the Bible.There is no need for external sources. You must remember, hearsay and eyewitness accounts was the only way information was spread in ancient Israel. Secondly, we have four Gospel records that include passages that mention this Messiah named Jesus healing "lame legged" people. "Lame" was considered, "Impossible to walk." An amputee could very easily fit that category.
Quote:I've bolded the bit that is important. That question and answer are the exact definition of agnosticism.Agnosticism says, "There may be a God, or there may not be." I believe there is a God. I don't say, "There may not be a God." I do not doubt my belief in God in any manner. I say I believe in God, but I cannot prove him. That does not mean I think "he may not be there." You are confused...
Quote:Most religions have a concept of Heaven and Hell, or at least some forms of punishment. Both Romans and Greeks had several variants.Yes, but I do not believe any other religion casts unbelievers into Hell like Christianity and Islam. So, therefore, If Thor is the one and only true god.. I am in no danger of Hellfire.
Quote:That's not the point at all. The point is that there are multiple lotteries, in which we both are not playing. Thus we are all taking "risks".Everyone is taking a risk, and that includes, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists...etc..etc, but atheists choose to take the larger risk by not obeying any sort of God or gods. Atheists are pretty much in a lose-lose situation. Unless there is a higher being that is opposed to the idea of god.. and then it looks like the atheists might be saved..? You never know what is out there.. No one knows.
Quote:I never said you were. My point is that Pascal's wager assumes that the God is an ignorant fool who likes people who lie about believing in it. Even if I found Pascals wager to be a good reason to believe, I couldn't just start believing. I'd have to have the evidence before I did that.God knows who is truthful and who is false. He is Omniscient. He knows everything. Pascal Wager only works if God is truly Omniscient. Understand?
Quote:It doesn't benefit the argument, but it puts your opinion across (which is what debates are for). And no, I did not study ancient Hebrew, or Greek. I read the Bible.Yes, understanding ancient Hebrew and Greek does have a large benefit. I've had literally hundreds of atheists approach me and say, "Jesus said we are supposed to HATE our parents in order to be his Disciple!" .. and they go on to slander Jesus and say, "What kind of sick God would say something like that!!?"
Well, now here's where the problem comes in. Jesus used the word, "Si'nah" in Hebrew, which means, "To love lesser than." Jesus was simply addressing his Disciples that they must love God more than their family. But to an untrained eye, it looks like Jesus was telling a crowd of people to HATE their parents! That is so, so untrue!!
Jesus lived by the Law, and the Law is, "Honor thy Mother and Father."