Rant against anti-atheist agnostics.

[fr0d0]

I was teasing one of the "post n run" people with this a week or two ago, but I also think it's a relevant question: doesn't accepting that sacrifice qualify as a supremely selfish act? If we have sinned against god and deserve only eternal punishment because we are incapable of squaring that debt ourselves, is it wrong to accept the sacrifice and skip out on the responsibility for our actions? Perhaps that is the trick? When you get to the Pearly Gates, you are expected to ask to spend eternity in hell paying for your sins, at which point Saint Peter winks at you and lets you into heaven. To seek access to heaven would imply that you want god to pick up the tab for your poor behavior, and that would be an immediate ticket to hell.

Otherwise, god could've just picked up the tab from day one and skipped all of the suffering and calamity that has befallen both men and angels in the intervening years.

It is selfish I think, yes. You're doing something for personal gain. But then that thing leads you to a place where sacrifice of the self is expected. It's not a club with a reward that any ambitious person would want. You're called to leave your comforts and serve the wider good, and by doing that, you reflect the gift given.

Responsibility is never skipped. You're convicted then, more than ever, to put right any debt you have that you can resolve. You can't be forgiven your misdeeds it you have outstanding debts. Your hypocrisy would prevent it.

You're not going to get away with lying to God. It doesn't matter what you label yourself, if you're undeserving you fail. More importantly right now in this moment.

Accepting the sacrifice means accepting your failings. That's all. An atheist can do that. What they can't do, is do anything about it. The choice is do nothing, or choose life.

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Why is human suffering so abhorrent to you?

Empathy? "God lost a finger", btw, doesn't seem to be a very accurate description of the crucifixion narrative. Can our lives be bought so cheaply, and should we pay for them -even with a finger- if they can be? I think not.

That is -not- what JW's believe Frodo. They subscribe to the ransom theory. They -do- believe that they must also live a good life.

Empathy is the reason it works for us. Anything less would be an empty gesture to the human ego.

Christians believe that they should lead a good life. Show evidence of the spirit etc. JWs have duty laid down for them, rather than it being inspirational.