Christian Paradox

[tavarish]

Those would be nominal Christians... that is people who don't satisfy a basic test of actually committing to a belief, but rather accepting it as a default position that they don't really want to think about. If challenged, said people would more accurately be defined atheist.

After making a claim that 50% of the UK population is lying about their religious views, the best thing to do would be to provide a credible source.

Thanks.

You appear to have no idea what Christianity is about, based on what you've said here so far. In the interest of changing that impression... please set out your reasoning for believing when you did believe. If it was irrational, it was no reason to believe.

I asked you to provide an explanation of what Christianity is about. I'm patiently awaiting your response. I'm serious now. Don't dodge the topic.

My personal beliefs were that I believed that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross. I attended church sporadically, but prayed nightly and read the bible. I wore a cross and felt a very real presence over me in many situations. I truly believed that something was out there, watching and looking out for me and that I was in his good graces to be taken care of in the afterlife. I didn't do anything that would hinder my ascension into heaven, as I was scared of being condemned to hell.

After a while, I started examining my beliefs and realize that no matter how much I tried, they did not make the slightest bit of sense. I did not take the bible literally either. I tried to assess it for its moral values and parables, but could not come up with a conclusive reason to actually believe in the existence of such a deity. The religion is inherently self-serving, irrefutable, and self-validating.

Put plainly - it did not make sense at all. I could not bring myself to believe something which was obviously and blatantly put together by those who wanted to escalate their social and political strength. I can be made to convert if I see objective, verified evidence of God. Since this is not the case - and you contend that is cannot be - then there really is no reason for me to believe an unjustifiable claim.

I do agree that reasons to believe Christianity are irrational, therefore I do not believe anymore.

I'm talking about classifications not applying when the people they are being applied to aren't acting in accordance with the classification.

Christians, are those who believe in Jesus Christ, his teachings, and follow the Nicene Creed. Is there anything else major missing?

I find it hilarious that religious people look at other religious people who do things that they don't agree with, then revert to the argument "Well he wasn't a REAL Christian anyway".

That cracks me up.

I'm saying your faith is based on SOMETHING, a subjective experience you perceive as knowledge of the divine.

You seem to place importance on this. All this is is the manifestation of belief. It cannot be it's foundation. I believe in God because I rationalise him to be.

Exactly my point. You're using rationalization to support your belief.