[QUOTE]Originally posted by Carlson

 

Why do you have to say that? You made a statement. Your background in law should give you a foundation for building an argument in support of that statement. If you cannot build such an argument, perhaps your statement isn't true.

If a judge asked a prosecutor, "How do you know the defendant committed the crime?" would you consider it a snappy rejoinder for the prosecutor to reply, "Well, how do you know he didn't?"?

My request is only tough because your statement is difficult to defend. That's your fault, not mine.

So if you believe that 1 + 1 = 3 you're right and no one can tell you're wrong? That's silly. Many things that people believe are wrong.

Either there is an afterlife or else there isn't. What anyone here believes doesn't change that. The number of twin primes (two numbers, n and n + 2, both of which are prime, like 11 and 13) is either finite or infinite. If you believe it is finite, that doesn't make it finite; it is what it is, irrespective of your belief.

I'd say you missed it.

 

Once you've been dead for three days, then resurrected, we'll talk.

 

Ah ... another misconception regarding Christianity. You are NOT required to give money or tithe when the baskets go around on Sundays. If you've heard that preaching, that is total Christian heresy as well, the Bible does not teach that. Giving tithes and offering is just expressing one's thankfulness and appreciation to the Lord, you could give whatever the heck you want. God favors a poor old lady giving a dime over a rich arrogant man boasting that he put a grand in the basket. This is in line with the heretical teaching of "salvation by works" which is completely unBibilical. The Bible says God does not want your offering if you give it out of hesitation or regret. The basic Christian Gospel is acknowledging one's sinfulness, realizing that God's only provision to alleviate that condition was Jesus Christ, agreeing wholeheartedly (not only intellectually) that he resurrected, and declaring Him personal Lord and Savior - that's it.

Oh, and adding to the list of books - "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis is also a great read. An interesting note - there were people in history who had their own vendetta with the Christian faith, they devoted a part of their lives trying very hard to discredit Christianity, but shockingly ended up becoming Christians themselves due to the overwhelming historical evidence supporting Christ's death and resurrection.

A few good links .....
http://www.4greeks.org/spiritual/blind_faith.html
http://www.4greeks.org/spiritual/mcdowell.html
http://www.4greeks.org/spiritual/adamson.html

More food for the discussion table

 

The idea of an afterlife is probably a healthy thing for humanity as a whole to believe in at this point in our primitive development. Some of us do not require the threat of eternal punishment to behave in a civilized fashion. Unfortunately, I lack the faith that most of humanity would do the same. Religion is still the best way we have to control the masses, as it has been for thousands of years. Its not a perfect mechanism of control, and it does produce all sorts of kooky and often dangerous sects, but their potential for damage is probably fairly insignificant when compared to the anarchy that would be produced if there were no religion to keep barbarity in check. The real challenge is keeping religious influence away from powerful and potentially oppressive governments. Most importantly, it must be kept away from scientific advancement. Our quest for knowledge must stay independent from theology if we wish to not kill ourselves off prematurely. A universal trait among religions is that they are all right and they all have zealots that will happily martyr themselves because of it. Religion must be used to humanities advantage, but diligence is needed or it will lead to our annihilation. It is truly a perilous game we play. My only hope is that one day humans will be able to responsibly outgrow religion. Because that day is clearly not today.
edit: sp

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Temeculapd
A universal trait among religions is that they are all right and they all have zealots that will happily martyr themselves because of it.

 

uhhhhh......thanks??

 

What Carlson means is that he has the brain capacity of a turtle and has already exceeded his daily allotment. Yes, I think it was a compliment.


humanity's*

 

Yea yea yea, whatever.....

 

[QUOTE]humanity's*