RE: Do I believe Atheists are going to hell?
January 31, 2018 at 4:37 pm
(This post was last modified: January 31, 2018 at 4:41 pm by SteveII.)
(January 31, 2018 at 1:08 am)Astreja Wrote:(January 30, 2018 at 4:34 pm)SteveII Wrote: I don't know where you got that point, but my God went the extra mile and actually walked in our shoes for 33 years with exact intention (and more) that you asked for.
No, I don't think that actually happened. Even if it did happen, though, it still doesn't address my major objections to the Christian message and the reasons that I personally cannot accept it. I'm quite happy to put Matthew 25:35-40 into practice when I can, but I am incapable of generating religious faith and cannot transcend the utter horror and disgust I feel towards the "accept Jesus or go to hell" message.
All depends on perspective and understanding the concepts behind the doctrine. I think many people need the short version to remain horrified and disgusted. If they had to articulate the whole doctrine, Jesus sounds more like good news.
Quote:(January 30, 2018 at 4:34 pm)SteveII Wrote: Listen, I enjoy having a respectful conversation, so don't take this the wrong way. The points/concerns in your objections prove that you do not fully understand the doctrines that you are objecting to. That is my point. These are not one-liner type beliefs that can be dismissed with a sentence or two. Christianity is one of the most examined bodies of knowledge in the history of the world. There are thorough answers to every objection ever conceived. They might not all be convincing to all people, but they are not going to be dismantled in a sentence or two.
Yes, there are indeed answers. Too many answers, IMO, and most of them sound like post hoc rationalization to me. The doctrines that have been built up around Christianity are insanely complicated, and as far as I can tell none of them go beyond philosophical hypotheses or Biblical hermaneutics anyway.
I can articulate any one of the basics in a paragraph or two so practically anyone could understand--so Christian basics are not "insanely complicated". If you are talking about secondary doctrines and differences between churches, etc., you need a firm grasp on the basics before you can even begin to understand the nuances and principles in play. My point was not that the mountains of works on Christian thought have to be considered to understand it--rather that there are not any real objections that haven't been thoroughly addressed somewhere.
