RE: Why the "There are so many interpretations of the Bible" claim is confused
October 26, 2015 at 12:44 am
(October 26, 2015 at 12:30 am)Thena323 Wrote:(October 25, 2015 at 10:27 pm)Delicate Wrote: I don't believe there are NO points of contention over core doctrine. I just think there are so few that when atheists harp on doctrinal diversity, they are talking about a far smaller pool of differences than they imagine.*my posts copied from your "Are all atheists this ill-informed about religion?" thread*
#271 Is a baptism considered legitimate if it's performed on an infant? Does one even have to be baptized to get to Heaven or does one gain entrance through grace alone? Is simply accepting the Holy Spirit considered baptism? Or is actual immersion required?
Before you dismiss these as minor differences, consider what's at stake according to those who believe it.
#273 The pathway to salvation is a big fucking deal, is it not?
You've been asked about this numerous times and haven't attempted to address it, as far as I know.
Baptism is not a core doctrine. People don't go to hell on the basis of their preferred method of baptism. And yes, this is after what's at stake for those who believe it.
The pathway to salvation would be a core doctrine, to the extent that there are people who hold a view that might cause them to lose their salvation. These differences are in fact relevant, and if an atheist wants to assert that there is soooo mucchhhhhh doctrinal diversity over this issue, my response would be "Well asserted. Now where's the evidence?"
I might also stroke my chin and twirl my invisible moustache, but only because that's a peripheral doctrinal practise on my part.
