Biblical Inerrancy - mandatory to be Christian?

[The Grand Nudger]

That's why I said, "even though most people use faith to mean 'knowledge of the existence of God'". Please read what you quote. Thanks.

Just reiterating a point that both of us agree on - a point that bears notice.

This is what I was trying to point out with pride. If God is omniscient and omnibeneficent like we're assuming, God is right. On everything. How could he not be? If people refuse to give up their own ideas (which would then be false), their own ways of life (which would not be best), or their allegiance (which would not be respectful), or something else disrespects God, he can't force these out of them without taking away their freedom to choose. He lets them go.

If it's his knowledge that makes him right (omniscience), then I don't see why I need him. I'll just look for that knowledge myself, cut out the middleman - in the meantime I'll continue doing what I;m already doing, you know "the good". My "own ideas" might end up being the same ideas that god has - what with the knowledge being out there and all - for either of us to grasp. I'm entirely okay with your god "letting me go". Again, in what way would my entire demeanor be different, and how would this be due to a firm belief that no sort of god existed?

If you don't understand the definition of faith, how can you do any exploration of salvation? Your insults are always the least thought out...

More accurately, if I don't accept your definition of faith - a definition which we both agree not every christian would hold to........

"The Bad" doesn't exist. You can do things that are not part of "the Good", but those don't play a role in salvation.

Then "the bad" exists if only by comparison to "the good".

Not far less. You have to follow his morality. It helps to know what God has said about morality,

Why? Besides, I thought you just said that it was his knowledge that made him right. He may know whats right, but I might also, do either of us own it? I hardly think so.

because those with the knowledge have a helping hand while those that don't have the knowledge are left to what little we have naturally to figure it out. Also note, this is the bare minimum and highly unlikely way. The sure way is faith, baptism, and Eucharist. If done by the person in all honesty and humbleness, if they still have faith at death, their salvation is ensured.

But I'm not interested in shortcuts via magic Tex. I don't mind taking the time, walking the path, and figuring these things out for myself. I find that I value thing much more highly when I've had to do something to achieve them. Handouts don't really do it for me. Besides...you did mention that I didn't -need them-. So what gives?

Part of the Good is how you treat God. If you have no theologically minded thoughts or are hostile against any sort of being with considerable power/authority, you lack necessary parts of the Good. These, depending on your willingness to change, are variables to the equation. Also, no matter what people tell you, there is no actual support for a "we live in heaven forever". Christians will stay here, too. New Jerusalem comes down, not we go up. Resurrection means physical bodies.

Meh, I can't see how I treat god like anything, never met the man, never spoke to the man, never met anyone who met or spoke to the man. You're confusing your own opinions and thoughts on the matter for "god" it would seem. Meh, I lack necessary parts of the good, you lack necessary parts of the good - you did mention this yourself, that no one has it all. I fail to see why I should have to have it all, all of a sudden, or that the part you have is suddenly better than the part I have. It hardly matters to me where your fairy is going to set up it;s palace. Wherever that is, is a place I don't want to be.

And here is that statement of pride that I have been speaking about. I don't know how great your pride really is. Perhaps it's just insecurity on your position? I can't read your mind. I do know that generally, people that make this comment have empathy for the evils the see. You incorrectly blame my God for a lot of things, but that doesn't mean that you will never change your mind. You could potentially stick to your resentment and walk away with the others, but I don't know if you will.

It's not a statement of pride, it;s just a statement of opinion. You're right...you can't read my mind - so what was that again about pride? I'm not incorrectly blaming your god for anything - to be completely blunt - I don't blame your god for anything. I can state with absolute certainty that I'm never going to change my mind on the things that prevent me from being a christian - so don't hold out any "hope" for me on that count - it's a waste of time. It's not a matter of resentment, because your god has never wronged me - your god and I have never had any interaction whatsoever. If the only way you can deal with my rather plain objections is to insist "you might change your mind!" then I'm pretty sure you don't have much to tell me that's going to be the impetus for any changing of my mind Tex.

All I see here is a common fantasy about a bitter resentful atheist that blames god for wrongdoing and can't do "the good" because he doesn't believe (and on this count I can't even say that you have a very consistent fantasy). An atheist who would change his mind if someone just cleared up all his misconceptions. If you can't divorce me from your fantasy of me - who are you actually addressing when you respond to my posts? (hint:he's between your ears)