All the problems with Christianity

[Avodaiah]

You interpret them to be specific and clearly fulfilled, yet that is not the case. Quote which ones you think to be the case in your next response to me, and I'll demonstrate that is the case.

Let's start with the ones on Page 12.

Yes, but what you've described is indistinguishable from you listening to yourself telling you about yourself.

Your description of it combined with your circular defense of it is what make it seem indistinguishable.

Of course it is. I'm describing something that happens in my own heart and mind and you're asking me to prove it to you. The only way I could prove it to you conclusively is if you could read minds.
But I'm afraid you have a misconception of exactly what this relationship is:
9) Christianity comes from yourself.
One of the greatest reasons that Christianity cannot come from yourself is that it is counterintuitive to myself.
Let me explain:
It is in human nature to be proud and think highly of yourself, and a lot of things go along with that. One of them is not to accept that something is real unless you yourself (not YOU, but people in general) can see it. This is the reason for countless advertisers, debaters, and public speakers having to make their issue seem real and relevant to the audience, no matter how little it has to do with them. Otherwise, they will get no support for their cause.
Another effect of people's pride is not to accept what you don't fully understand. Now I'm not saying you should just believe in God without knowing what exactly it is you believe; then you wouldn't really be believing it. But I too have come across things, both in the Bible and in my life, that I don't understand what their purpose is. But these things do not make God's existence or even His benevolence impossible, if He is real then He would know better than us what needs to happen in the world to bring about a greater good in the future. Even things that appall and disgust any sound-minded person just might have a reason behind them.
So in short, my faith drives me to look beyond myself in ways it is not natural to do.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Yes, but what you've described is indistinguishable from you listening to yourself telling you about yourself.

Your description of it combined with your circular defense of it is what make it seem indistinguishable.

Of course it is. I'm describing something that happens in my own heart and mind and you're asking me to prove it to you. The only way I could prove it to you conclusively is if you could read minds.
But I'm afraid you have a misconception of exactly what this relationship is:
9) Christianity comes from yourself.
One of the greatest reasons that Christianity cannot come from yourself is that it is counterintuitive to myself.
Let me explain:
It is in human nature to be proud and think highly of yourself, and a lot of things go along with that. One of them is not to accept that something is real unless you yourself (not YOU, but people in general) can see it. This is the reason for countless advertisers, debaters, and public speakers having to make their issue seem real and relevant to the audience, no matter how little it has to do with them. Otherwise, they will get no support for their cause.

I actually quite hate this idea that to claim knowledge with evidence is prideful but to claim knowledge without evidence is humble. And not just claiming you have the knowledge but to ask others to believe you and in doing so dedicate their life to this thing you cannot prove! This is ridiculously obnoxious.

Another effect of people's pride is not to accept what you don't fully understand. Now I'm not saying you should just believe in God without knowing what exactly it is you believe; then you wouldn't really be believing it. But I too have come across things, both in the Bible and in my life, that I don't understand what their purpose is. But these things do not make God's existence or even His benevolence impossible,

You realize that if you don't understand what it says, you cannot determine if it will make his benevolence impossible.

if He is real then He would know better than us what needs to happen in the world to bring about a greater good in the future. Even things that appall and disgust any sound-minded person just might have a reason behind them.

People expect so little of god these days, don't they? It's alright, I know you're the smartest being, I know you're infinitely powerful, but it's ok, kill a few of my people for the greater good, don't work too hard to find another solution, I know it's beyond you.

I had this friend and it took me a while but then I found that he supported child marriage because of his religion. Now I come from a country where such things are actually legal and I hate it very very much. I unfriended this guy. If I expect my friends to fit into my idea of morality to a certain extent, what makes you think I would worship a god that allows billions of women to be raped and killed and children to die in wars and disasters and even of starvation? I wouldn't even talk to someone like that, especially if I knew he wrote the book that inspired so much of it.

So in short, my faith drives me to look beyond myself in ways it is not natural to do.

Right, whatever that means.[/quote]

[The Reality Salesman01]

You interpret them to be specific and clearly fulfilled, yet that is not the case. Quote which ones you think to be the case in your next response to me, and I'll demonstrate that is the case.

Let's start with the ones on Page 12.

Yes, but what you've described is indistinguishable from you listening to yourself telling you about yourself.

Your description of it combined with your circular defense of it is what make it seem indistinguishable.

Of course it is. I'm describing something that happens in my own heart and mind and you're asking me to prove it to you. The only way I could prove it to you conclusively is if you could read minds.
But I'm afraid you have a misconception of exactly what this relationship is:
9) Christianity comes from yourself.
One of the greatest reasons that Christianity cannot come from yourself is that it is counterintuitive to myself.
Let me explain:
It is in human nature to be proud and think highly of yourself, and a lot of things go along with that. One of them is not to accept that something is real unless you yourself (not YOU, but people in general) can see it. This is the reason for countless advertisers, debaters, and public speakers having to make their issue seem real and relevant to the audience, no matter how little it has to do with them. Otherwise, they will get no support for their cause.
Another effect of people's pride is not to accept what you don't fully understand. Now I'm not saying you should just believe in God without knowing what exactly it is you believe; then you wouldn't really be believing it. But I too have come across things, both in the Bible and in my life, that I don't understand what their purpose is. But these things do not make God's existence or even His benevolence impossible, if He is real then He would know better than us what needs to happen in the world to bring about a greater good in the future. Even things that appall and disgust any sound-minded person just might have a reason behind them.
So in short, my faith drives me to look beyond myself in ways it is not natural to do.

4 years ago in Virginia Beach, where I live, a man cut his 3 year old son's head off at the breakfast table. He calmly called the police, and told them what he had done. When they arrived at this house,
he explained that God had revealed to him the night before that his son would grow up to be the anti-Christ, and that it was his duty to kill him before he could affect the world. So, the man woke up, made his son his favorite breakfast, and then carried out God's will. I saw him on the news telling his story. He didn't look crazy. He lived in a nice neighborhood, and regularly attended a local Church of Christ. His congregation was shocked.

You are in no position to criticize this man because you are no different. You've both created an identity for the voice in your head that responds when you talk to it. Your conscience that would otherwise be guiding you even if you didn't give it the name "God". Neither you, nor this man have any proof of an additional entity that gives them instructions. No proof of any addition relationship at all. In fact, it's identical to what we would expect if your were operating under a delusion.

If God told you to kill all left handed people, and you were sure it was him telling you to do it, I mean ABSOLUTELY sure, would you do it?

This man was convinced God wanted him to cut his son's head off, and he did it.

God told Abraham to kill his son, and was going to.

So, on to you, God tells you: "Kill all left handed people."

Do you question God, or do you carry out his will?

[Captain Colostomy]

Never gonna happen. Lefties are god's chosen people. (He told me so. Also, the US Navy should repent of their homosexual ways before it's too late. Kinda a discordant prophecy, I know, but god works in mysterious ways.)

[The Reality Salesman01]

I too am one of God's favored South Paws. At times, it is hard for a left handed guy makin' it in a right man's world.

[Captain Colostomy]

I too am one of God's favored South Paws. At times, it is hard for a left handed guy makin' it in a right man's world.

Oh, we're owed, all right. That the word 'sinister' is derived from the Latin word for 'left' is telling proof we've been marginalized for too long.

[Zazzy]

I too am one of God's favored South Paws. At times, it is hard for a left handed guy makin' it in a right man's world.

Oh, we're owed, all right. That the word 'sinister' is derived from the Latin word for 'left' is telling proof we've been marginalized for too long.

Amen, brothers. I am also a lefty, and I am fucking TIRED of the pen at the checkout desk being attached on the right side. I'm tired of right-handed desks. I'm tired of right-handed scissors. Even time on clocks is right-handed, for chrissakes.

It's clearly time for bloody, violent revolt.

[Whateverist]

Okay, okay. Representing the right handed among us I am willing to support your call for reparations. Anything to stop the whining. Personally though I've always felt that right is right. (Never trust anyone who uses their ass wiping hand for eating and greeting.)

[The Reality Salesman01]

Oh, we're owed, all right. That the word 'sinister' is derived from the Latin word for 'left' is telling proof we've been marginalized for too long.

Amen, brothers. I am also a lefty, and I am fucking TIRED of the pen at the checkout desk being attached on the right side. I'm tired of right-handed desks. I'm tired of right-handed scissors. Even time on clocks is right-handed, for chrissakes.

It's clearly time for bloody, violent revolt.

Not only that, but DRY ERASE BOARDS! As an instructor, I always have to use them in front of my class. Because we write from left to right, I have to keep space between my writing hand and the board by holding my marker as if it's a fork! Otherwise my hand will erase what I write as I go! And writing in 3 ring binders sucks for almost the same reason! Those damn rings are always where my hand needs to be! Right handed people have it so easy! Imagine if the English language read from right to left...We would rule the world!

[downbeatplumb]

Oh, we're owed, all right. That the word 'sinister' is derived from the Latin word for 'left' is telling proof we've been marginalized for too long.

Amen, brothers. I am also a lefty, and I am fucking TIRED of the pen at the checkout desk being attached on the right side. I'm tired of right-handed desks. I'm tired of right-handed scissors. Even time on clocks is right-handed, for chrissakes.

It's clearly time for bloody, violent revolt.

Left handed people are sinister.