RE: Are all atheists this ill-informed about religion?
October 26, 2015 at 3:07 pm
(This post was last modified: October 26, 2015 at 3:09 pm by TheRocketSurgeon.)
(October 26, 2015 at 12:28 pm)Kingpin Wrote:(October 25, 2015 at 4:38 pm)TheRocketSurgeon Wrote: I pointed to the Creed as a way of showing you that 1) we do know what the core beliefs are, contrary to your claim, and 2) we do discuss them routinely, contrary to your claim.
This other issue of whether Christians argue over core doctrines is a separate issue, but one which has also been answered in numerous threads, including this one.
As I said before, name a "core doctrine" on which Christians agree 100%, in your mind, and we will show you that your claim isn't true.
Help me understand here. Are you saying that because Christians don't 100% agree on even basic tenets of "core beliefs" then it negates its validity? I don't want to assume thats what you mean, but I have seen that premise espoused here by others.
Since when does unity necessitate uniformity? Even in the sciences, there is a diversion on topics. Politics, name a policy/belief that 100% of Democrats agree on. I just don't think you can state that because there is not 100% uniformity it automatically negates validity. Talk about the validity of the claim that's being made (how its defined), not negate because it has multiple definitions/interpretations.
No, I am not trying to suggest that it's impossible that one of the variety of Christian doctrines we observe as mutually-exclusive might in fact be correct. It may be valid even if every single person who is Christian today has it wrong, and no one has figured out what the valid interpretation is.
I only was pointing out that his contention that we don't understand what the core doctrines are, and don't address them, is demonstrably false and misleading.
Edit to Add: And I second what Esquilax answered you, an hour ago. Sorry, I've been dealing with lawyers most of the morning, and juggling business calls of various other sorts, while trying to stay active here on discussions I started early this morning. I don't like Mondays.

A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.