Well I'd say scapegoating is the reason Paul was beheaded, along with a lot of other Christians. Nero was insane. They're no more to blame for the scapegoating and murders than the Jews targeted by the insanity of Hitler and his followers. But, like those Jews, Paul would hardly have renounced the central belief of his identity, even after that scapegoating began.
While I agree with most of what you've written here, recently, I'd say that the willingness to go ahead and self-identify even in the face of danger indicates only the degree of zeal, but is not proof of concept. As we have pointed out in a recent thread, atheists are frequently (and openly) discriminated against in this country, yet many of us "sign our names" and otherwise identify openly as atheists because we believe we are right about this, damn the consequences. Others prefer to fly under the radar. Yet I'm pretty sure you wouldn't consider the zealous among us to be evidence that our position is correct, would you?
While I agree with most of what you've written here, recently, I'd say that the willingness to go ahead and self-identify even in the face of danger indicates only the degree of zeal, but is not proof of concept. As we have pointed out in a recent thread, atheists are frequently (and openly) discriminated against in this country, yet many of us "sign our names" and otherwise identify openly as atheists because we believe we are right about this, damn the consequences. Others prefer to fly under the radar. Yet I'm pretty sure you wouldn't consider the zealous among us to be evidence that our position is correct, would you?
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.
