Atheist, not trolling

[et superbum]

I would like to have an open and honest discussion about Christianity. I would do my best to express myself without offending. Would this community be willing to indulge me?

 

[freezerman2000]

I'm really not into this area, but I can tell you that you need to be more specific..
BTW, Welcome to CF!

 

[oi_antz]

I would like to have an open and honest discussion about Christianity. I would do my best to express myself without offending. Would this community be willing to indulge me?

Hi, I would like to know exactly what you wish to discuss about Christianity.

Do you acknowledge that Jesus died for being completely honest?

How does that make you feel?

Do you believe the world is any different in this modern era?

What do you think Christianity means?

 

[renewed21]

I would like to have an open and honest discussion about Christianity. I would do my best to express myself without offending. Would this community be willing to indulge me?

I would.

 

[et superbum]

Hi, I would like to know exactly what you wish to discuss about Christianity.

Do you acknowledge that Jesus died for being completely honest?

How does that make you feel?

Do you believe the world is any different in this modern era?

What do you think Christianity means?

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi,

I love hearing from atheists. I enjoy sharing my experiences with God with you guys. Normally people who have been taught the atheist way of thinking believe Christians don't have any proof of God. But God has proved himself to me many times. So I will share with you some of those experiences. You can read about them all at Know God Personally some good stories some just personal stuff but it is helpful if you want to learn about experiences Christian have. I have included one of my favorite stories off the site here.

One morning I got up and walked into the hall and I heard a voice that I believed was God say "How would you like to be stabbed in the Valley". The Valley was known as the rough end of town, and the voice scared me a little, I wondered if I had done something to offend God. I had planned to go down to the Valley to ask people out to church as was my habit at the time. In the end I went anyway regardless of the fear. I walked up to the first person I met and asked him if he would like to go out to church. He said to me "I am an atheist, I don't believe in God". I just said "fine", but hoped to change his mind. He then proceeded to unbutton his shirt and showed me scar marks up and down his chest and stomach. He said to me, "I was attacked by a knife wielding man in the Valley some time ago and spent months recovering in hospital, How could God allow that to happen to me". Then I knew why God had said in the morning "How would I like to be stabbed?". God understood this man, but had a good plan for him. Some weeks latter this man came out to church and became a Christian.

 

[oi_antz]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

In my terms I would say that Jesus is the infallible Word of God, and the bible doesn't do much but document His involvement with earth quite sparsely. But certainly enough for the promise "The Father will send the counsellor who will teach you and remind you of all I have said". It really does take a certain mindset to understand what really went on, since we are 2,000 years beyond word of mouth. Do you think my questions in post #3 are worth considering?

 

[bobk]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

You will get different answers from conservative and liberal christians. I personally dont believe in Bible infallability. However, I do believe that the Gospels reveal the true nature of the Christ. Being a Christian is not about a book, its about following Jesus example and teachings.

 

[[serious]]

You will get different answers from conservative and liberal christians. I personally dont believe in Bible infallability. However, I do believe that the Gospels reveal the true nature of the Christ. Being a Christian is not about a book, its about following Jesus example and teachings.

Well said.

 

[freezerman2000]

Well said.

I second that

 

[Tomas de Torquemada]

edit: delete, pointless venom.

 

[[serious]]

I would like to have an open and honest discussion about Christianity. I would do my best to express myself without offending. Would this community be willing to indulge me?

As I'm sure you've noticed from the replies already, there is quite a bit of variety in the responses you will get from different people.

 

[Catherineanne]

I would like to have an open and honest discussion about Christianity. I would do my best to express myself without offending. Would this community be willing to indulge me?

You want to talk? Feel free.

 

[Catherineanne]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

On what basis?

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

I agree.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

Well, not really. More one faith with lots of different expressions; some of them very similar, some less so. And our faith is not based on a text but on a person; Christ himself. The one you say you are not sure existed.

For someone who did not exist he certainly has had a huge impact on the world, wouldn't you say?

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

To some believers it is, yes. But to most mainstream apostolic believers (ie Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran etc) it is the word of God but it is not infallible. Infallibility is a relatively modern concept in relation to the Scriptures, but is not actually claimed in the Bible of itself.

I do not personally regard the Bible as infallible. It was written by many different people, as you rightly say, over very many years, and although inspired by God, it is not perfect, nor does it claim to be.

I can even tell you why it is not perfect, when God could easily have made it so. People have this tendency to want to worship something in creation; something they have themselves made. God does not want us to do this, because he wants us to depend on him, and worship only him. Therefore, if he allowed the Bible to be perfect there would be a tendency for some people to worship it; to regard it as equal in status to God, and indeed to be interchangeable with God. This is in fact what some churches, some believers do. The rest of us regard it as at best ill advised, and at worst Bibliolatry.

 

[dogs4thewin]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

When you say that you are skeptical of Christ's existence do you mean that He existed or that He is the Son of God?

 

[RaiseTheDead]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

Scholars aren't.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

This is a good start! So you can recognize that whatever the bible is saying, has some relevance for us now.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

I have problems with such a statement. Those doing said assembling bear little semblance to what today's "catholic church" has become. As such, I find it an improper use of the word, and a plainly wrong statement. Besides, there is ample evidence that all the currently accepted books were accepted by 150 at the latest, which means that whatever official assembling you're referring to is pretty insignificant.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

The bible never says that. The portions of scripture that are actually God speaking, are a vast minority. Much of it is demonstrating error.

 

[SharonL]

Yes I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God put together over a period of 1,600 years.

The Bible is written by men with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Welcome and hope we can have a good conversation where some answers to your questions can honestly be revealed.

 

[Johnnz]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

A couple of comments.

Did Jesus exist? It would be strange for a non existent person to have influenced the world as Jesus did.

The bible. A reliable record of people's experiences and relationship with God, and God's ultimate communication to us in Christ is all you need at this stage of your journey to begin to seriously consider the biblical account. Inerrancy is a Christian doctrine which is not where you are at right now.

John
NZ

 

[et superbum]

it seems that most people deny that the bible is infallible. This goes against my most basic assumptions about the religion. Basing christianity on the teachings of christ makes more sense but it seems to me that it would be much harder.

Raise the dead - most scholars are in agreement that Jesus existed, but most of them are christian. many non christian scholars also agree that he exsited, but not everyone.

So how is it decided what the teachings of christ are?

 

[Martinius]

I am skeptical of christ's existence.

Regarding the existence of Jesus, there is scant physical or recorded evidence about him but it would be hard to fathom that all those people would make up all those stories about a fictitious person, and even more so do what they did in response to an invented character. So to me there is no doubt Jesus "existed"; as to what that actually means is a whole other debate. But I can understand your skepticism.

I think that there are many differences between now and two thousand years ago, but that people are much the same.

A recent study by the Barna Group, I believe, found that there was no appreciable difference between committed Christians and others regarding many moral and behavioral characteristics. So perhaps you are right. However, I would say that when one looks at the positive effect that a few Christians have had on our world there is a noticeable difference. Also, are we more "civilized" than we were 2000 years ago? In many ways I think we are better at following basic Christian values than ever before. But the sea change that should have occurred in being disciples of Jesus has not occurred; we have in general failed to live up to the expectations that Jesus gave us (while some individuals have met or exceeded them).

To me Christianity is a religion based on a holy text written by many different authors and assembled by the Catholic church.

Absolutely agree. I think even the Catholic Church and many Protestant faiths agree with that. What it all means is beyond the facts of who wrote its various parts and who compiled it.

There are many, many things that I would like to discuss, but we can't really talk about them all at the same time. I feel that a good place to start is with the bible itself, as it is the basis of Christianity.

Am I right in saying that the bible is the infallible word of God?

Poster bobk gave the response to your question that I would have. However, being an atheist I am surprised you didn't say "Christians believe the bible is the infallible word of God?"

Some people base their Christianity on the words in a book. Others base their Christianity on what Jesus taught and did, the example of his life, and the meaning of his story. Those are really two vastly different ways of understanding and responding to the "word of God".

If by being atheist you are saying that you don't accept what Christianity is "selling", I can say that I don't accept a lot of what some "Christians" are selling as Christianity. There is a lot of baggage that people have attached to the idea of "Christianity" that doesn't belong there. Various faiths have created rules and doctrines and requirements that can not be found in the core teachings of Jesus.

If you make the attempt to look at the original and basic values and beliefs of the early Christian church, you may find a truer idea of what Christianity should be, but usually isn't today. And from what I think I see between the lines of your post, it may pleasantly surprise you. Faith is not limited to Christians. One of my favorite biblical passages is where Jesus says that he found no greater faith in all of Israel than in one man, who happened to be a Roman Centurion, by definition a pagan who did not follow the Ten Commandments and who worshipped multiple gods. That one statement, to me, blows apart the contentions of so many self-righteous "Christians" that their way is the one and only way. All I can respond is, "Not according to Jesus."

Good luck in your journey and search for understanding. And keep questioning.