(October 11, 2014 at 3:35 pm)Lek Wrote:(October 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm)Esquilax Wrote: Just say "I believe because of special pleading."
I decided to take this challenge very seriously and get down to the real reason that I'm a christian. That's why it's taken me a couple days to get back. When I really examined the reasons I've put forth, I realize that none of them were reasons that I first came to believe in God and Jesus. I was raised in a strong catholic family and went to catholic school from 1st through 8th grade and continued in catholic education classes through high school. I was thoroughly indoctrinated into the catholic faith and I accepted it all. When I left home for military, my free time quickly became filled with getting drunk or high and chasing women. Even then, on Sunday mornings I'd crawl out of whatever bed I had ended up in, with a hangover, and head to the base chapel and go to mass. Eventually, I ended up meeting some christian friends and that's when I became a real christian and changed my lifestyle.
I didn't know the bible well at all when I decided to really follow Jesus, but I saw the way these guys lived and looked at life, and I wanted that. So I wanted the peace of mind that came with it, and I'll also admit that I had a fear of going to hell. It's been over 20 years since those days, and I've never found a good reason to stop believing. I believe that if someone possesses the truth it will show in their life. I know christians, seiks, buddhists, agnostics and atheists, and, in general, the ones who most appear to be living lives of love and self-giving are the true christians. "No true scotsman" does apply here. It seems every church I've been in has some who are true christians and some who say they are, but really are not willing to commit to following Christ.
Special pleading does not apply to my belief. I'm not disregarding any evidence. The history of the christian faith as laid out in the bible impresses me. I know of no other religion that has developed over time and has been chronicled by so many different writers over so many centuries. The resurrection, which has been attested to by various writers, is a large part of my clinching arguments for christianity over other religions. I've always wondered why the Romans didn't make it a point to prove that he didn't rise. That would have greatly hindered the rise of christianity which they viewed as a threat to the empire. Also the great majority of historians agree that Jesus did exist. I haven't come across any evidence that would convince me that christianity is not true. It's real, and I see no reason to walk away from God. For what?
Anyway, that's my true answer to your challenge. No B.S.
What did Jesus himself say that you find so worthy?
