(January 30, 2017 at 2:43 pm)drfuzzy Wrote: 1. I think most people have tangible reasons for their belief.
Tangible reasons for their belief would mean that they have definitive proof of God. No one on the planet has that.
2. If you believe Christianity to be true, that entails believing that Christianity is the only path to God. Following that train of logic, how does that equate to 'arrogance'?
If you believe that Christianity is the only path to God (and most xtian sects believe that is ONLY their variety of xtianity) then you immediately dismiss the beliefs of over 6 billion people on this planet as false. That makes every single one of those 6 billion (give or take a few) people as "less than" YOU. And most xtian sects believe that all of those people are deservedly going to hell to suffer for eternity due to their "wrong" choice of belief.
3. - I actually partially agree with this response. However, the "owe God" bit is always completely intertwined with the sect. There are so many different interpretations. And it's very hard to owe (belief, obedience, tithing) to something that doesn't exist. The money and the time go to support the sect, so they demand commitment.
6. What? You don't know John 14:6: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That was pretty clear, wasn't it? My way or the highway. How about John 15:6: "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." That's not only my way or the highway, that's if you don't agree, you'll be punished. And there is this teaching that either you must believe that Jesus died to save you from hell -- so that you won't go to hell. That not only demands compliance, but threatens eternal torture if you don't toe the line.
There is a lot of brainwashing in every religion. And the level of peer pressure in a lot of churches is enormous. Conform - don't ask questions, don't rock the boat. If you do, you will not only lose your family and friends, you'll fry in hell forever.
1. I should have chosen another word. Perhaps "real, individually articulated reasons for their belief" Proof needed to hold a belief in something is entirely subjective.
2. Most Christians do NOT believe their denomination is the only way to God. The Apostles Creed summarizes the basics nicely. Anything on top of this is differences of opinion but not necessary for defining oneself as a Christian.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic (as in universal) Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. Again, you exaggerate the denominational differences and effect those differences have.
6. Redoubtable originally wrote the that the "onus is on you (meaning the church) to provide reasons for belief that justify the extraordinary claims and demands your religion places on people". I wanted some examples to such a broad statement--possibly distinguishing the requirements of a particular church from that of the NT. You have good examples, but are missing the general meaning. If the core teaching is true and we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, then there is no way back to having a relationship with him. Christ provided a way to repair that relationship. Part of repairing that relationship is changing a person from the inside. So characterizing it as "my way of the highway" is overly simplistic since we are talking about repairing a relationship that, if not repaired, has terrible consequences.
Your description of what happens in "every religion" may be true for some groups. That does not mean that it is correct to do so. The NT is all you need. If someone else has added to it, then it is just added baggage that you can shed if you want to--without any eternal repercussions.
