Can someone explain to me why this guy thinks none of us study or have studied theology? I have a deep and abiding fascination with religion, going back to when I was a Christian, myself, because I think it reveals a great deal about human nature.

I'd be willing to bet a fair amount of money that several of the members here have taken more university-level courses in religion, and read more books of Christian apologetics, than the OP.

My biggest problem with "theology" is it's a misnomer. The study of religion is fine, but the etymology behind it implies it is the "study of God."

The theologians that try to study God and try and discern his motivations are full of shit. The aspect to theology that is simply the study of religion, now that aspect is perfectly valid and interesting.

(May 4, 2016 at 2:10 pm)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote: Can someone explain to me why this guy thinks none of us study or have studied theology? I have a deep and abiding fascination with religion, going back to when I was a Christian, myself, because I think it reveals a great deal about human nature.

I'd be willing to bet a fair amount of money that several of the members here have taken more university-level courses in religion, and read more books of Christian apologetics, than the OP.

Because in their world if only we knew what they knew we'd believe as well. So if we do know what they know and don't believe then they must be wrong and that just can't be true.

(May 4, 2016 at 2:10 pm)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote: Can someone explain to me why this guy thinks none of us study or have studied theology? I have a deep and abiding fascination with religion, going back to when I was a Christian, myself, because I think it reveals a great deal about human nature.

I'd be willing to bet a fair amount of money that several of the members here have taken more university-level courses in religion, and read more books of Christian apologetics, than the OP.

Especially considering the existence of, and fast growing,  "The Clergy Project".

http://clergyproject.org/

This organization exists solely for current and ex-clergy who no longer believe, and need support in finding a real job. The sad thing is, that many of them are still at the pulpit, preaching crap they no longer believe, because they have no actual skills. They still have families to support. 

In 2011 when the organisation was founded, there were only 52 members. The membership is over 11 times that (almost 700) only 5 years later.

I understand the huge barriers some theists put up regarding seriously studying new things.

If they study them, they might end up being convinced by them. And this could put them at odds with their deeply held beliefs. If they come to realise that actually there are perfectly reasonable explanations for how the Earth came to be, or how we evolved from other apes, then they've got a serious problem. They either admit their previous beliefs were unfounded, or live with severe cognitive dissonance as they try and persuade themselves to believe them anyway.

It's understandable why they keep science at arm's length and throw rotten tomatoes at it. Knowledge is dangerous to religion. And that's a really sad thing.

(May 4, 2016 at 3:28 pm)robvalue Wrote: I understand the huge barriers some theists put up regarding seriously studying new things.

If they study them, they might end up being convinced by them. And this could put them at odds with their deeply held beliefs. If they come to realise that actually there are perfectly reasonable explanations for how the Earth came to be, or how we evolved from other apes, then they've got a serious problem. They either admit their previous beliefs were unfounded, or live with severe cognitive dissonance as they try and persuade themselves to believe them anyway.

It's understandable why they keep science at arm's length and throw rotten tomatoes at it. Knowledge is dangerous to religion. And that's a really sad thing.

Very few fundamentalists, continue to be fundamentalists, after attending seminary.

I think many fundamentalists stay fundamentalist regardless of the evidence or reason to the contrary.

Proof deities don't exist.

Every day, all over the world, millions of people pray for fewer Mondays and more Fridays in the week.

So far, nothing has changed.

Check mate, Christians.

(May 4, 2016 at 2:10 pm)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote: Can someone explain to me why this guy thinks none of us study or have studied theology? I have a deep and abiding fascination with religion, going back to when I was a Christian, myself, because I think it reveals a great deal about human nature.

I'd be willing to bet a fair amount of money that several of the members here have taken more university-level courses in religion, and read more books of Christian apologetics, than the OP.

I'll be the first to admit I haven't. Of course, I haven't studied the morality of Hansel and Gretel either, which also reveals a lot about human nature, and like the Bible is equally superficial ... and fictional.

(May 4, 2016 at 2:10 pm)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote: Can someone explain to me why this guy thinks none of us study or have studied theology? I have a deep and abiding fascination with religion, going back to when I was a Christian, myself, because I think it reveals a great deal about human nature.

I'd be willing to bet a fair amount of money that several of the members here have taken more university-level courses in religion, and read more books of Christian apologetics, than the OP.

Actually, he says he's 18.  That might be the answer that you're looking for.  Teenager.  Certain that he knows more than most people (with the exception of some of his professors and favorite authors.)  New in a Seminary, surrounded by people who think exactly like he does, and probably believes that he has a message for the world.  You caught his nose in the air boast that surely nobody here knows more than a college seminary student, right?  He's running on pure ego.