What if I'm Wrong and...
Mormons are right
Mormonism is a "works" based religion. You work your way into heaven. And although doctrinally there a lot of major conflicts with historic, Biblical Christianity, there are a great many rituals and things that have no outside validation. This is why I'm certain that it's not true. The Book of Mormon has documented errors that have no reconciliation with the history.
Jehovah Witnesses are right
As far as a code of morality is concerned Christians and Jehovah Witnesses have much in common. The problems come up when discuss the nature of God and who Jesus truly is. However, ignoring that, then I'll just not be part of 144000 in heaven and will be on the new earth. I discount Jehovah Witness because the nature of God and the identity of Jesus are non-negotiable and must be defended.
| Witnessing to JW -... |
Hindus are right
When I die, I will be reincarnated into a new human body. Can you really think of any better way to build up good Karma than to live the life the God of the Bible requires of us? But again, Hinduism must be discounted because it directly contradicts the Bible. They both can't be right. The Bible cannot be disproved and re-incarnation cannot be proven. I'll take my chances with the Bible.
| Walter Martin - Th... |
Muslims are right
It depends on what Islamic sect you talk to when it comes down to what Muslims believe Allah will do Jews and Christians. The liberals seem to think that Allah will accept Jews and Christians and the Fundamentalists seem to think we are hell bound. Considering classic Christian doctrines are misrepresented and mangled almost beyond recognition in the Koran, I seriously doubt the Koran is true. Anyone who truly understands Islam and Christianity knows that there is no consensus. There can be no real reconciliation beyond live-and-let-live. They are so diametrically opposed that they both can't be right. My logic is that if Muhammad could have misunderstood the Trinitarian doctrine to think that it's God the Father, God the Son, and Mary. Not to mention the flagrant changes in the Old Testament narratives, or the part where Jesus speaks from the crib as a baby (from a late 2nd or 3rd gnostic source) or the numerous other contradictions with the Old and New Testaments, then I can't conclude that Christianity and Islam are compatible. Here is the kicker: The Koran says that Jesus was not crucified...while every historical evidence we have says that he was! Taking all of this together, leads me to the conclusion that I must discount Islam.
Atheists are right
If atheists are right then life has no meaning or purpose. There is nothing objective on which to base morality on. Meaningless existence. There is nothing to but oblivion and non-existence after we die. Let me grant, for a second, that atheism may be right. What does that mean for me as a Christian: nothing! No heaven or hell. But I get to live a moral life and leave the world in a better place than it was before I first got here. I'd argue that without God it's impossible to leave this world with such an epitaph. On the other hand if Christianity is true and Atheisim is false as I believe, then the atheist looses out on Heaven and being perfected. Imagine...finally to be complete and exactly what God purposed you to be without a single hindrance. To be able to see God as He truly is. Atheists has nothing to gain and everything to loose.
There's way too much to respond to in this post, but here's a knee-jerk reaction or two:
ReplyDeleteYou are not judging these religions (and atheism, which is not a religion) based on objective thought or critical examination. This is the definition of closed-mindedness. Your evaluations of other worldviews, ways of understanding gods, or defining meaning/morality can not be trusted. Since you don't understand atheism, I can't trust your understanding of even the basics of those other belief systems.
You say, "If it contradicts the bible and classical Christian theology, it MUST be wrong!" That's hilarious, but I'm not sure you understand why we'd laugh.
This whole post is a glorified Pascal's Wager.
You know what you lose if Christianity is wrong and, say, the Koran is right? You go to Allah's version of hell, not Yhvh's version of heaven. turn or burn, man! You're screwed! So why don't you beg allah for salvation since its threat is just as viable as yours.
And btw, you are an atheist. I just believe in one god less than you do.
I'd like to know how in the world I have misrepresented Atheism? I haven't. I find it funny that you resort to Islam (which I do think is superior to atheism although I disagree with it) to attack my position. The reason why I said that if something contradicts the Bible it must be wrong because I have searched and found the Bible to be completely true and can't find an error or contradiction. Take your best shot at it if you can. Allah's threats have no teeth because the Bible is true and the Koran isn't.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about Pascal is that he is way smarter than you. His argument still holds. Counter it if you can, however mine is a little different. I'm not inferring that you should follow Christ because it's the best alternative whether you are wrong or right. I'm saying Jesus is the only reasonable alternative given the evidence available to us.
And to your last comment...that has been so refuted and not even worthy of a response. It's a quote that Dan Barker (whom I have never heard win a debate) is often fond of using. James White others have disposed of it many times.