From faith to fact.

[ScottA]

God speaks to you directly, but a billion other Christians have to rely on "faith."

Have you considered a career as a prophet?

God decides.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Yes, I think anyone can, and should. Why blindly accept anything as truth?

I'm talking about you questioning the dogmas of your religion.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

You can examine someone else's claims or beliefs, but you can't decide for them whether or not they are sufficient. Each person must make their own choice.

I don't recall mentioning a choice?

 

[amariselle]

I don't recall mentioning a choice?

So, you don't think we get to choose what we do with the "evidence" that may or may not support a particular claim?

 

[amariselle]

I'm talking about you questioning the dogmas of your religion.

Why shouldn't I be able to question them?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

So, you don't think we get to choose what we do with the "evidence" that may or may not support a particular claim?

We may be able to choose what we do in response to the evidence for a particular claim, but we cannot choose whether a claim is justified by the evidence. Perhaps an example would help. Years of research established that lead was a toxin whose environmental levels were increasing in tandem with its industrial and commercial uses. Since this clearly poses a public health problem, politicians must choose what to do in response. They can impose regulations banning the use of lead in certain products; they can create laws concerning the safe use of industrial lead and its disposal; they can replace existing lead-based products, and so on. But whether the conclusions regarding lead's toxicity are warranted is determined by the research evidence on that topic, and not by whatever they may wish to be true.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Why shouldn't I be able to question them?

Because the very word 'dogma' tends to imply something that should not be questioned.

 

[amariselle]

Because the very word 'dogma' tends to imply something that should not be questioned.

Maybe so. But I still think it should be. Manmade teachings can be wrong. I actually DO question a lot of them.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Maybe so. But I still think it should be. Manmade teachings can be wrong. I actually DO question a lot of them.

Interesting that you seem to be drawing a distinction between "manmade teachings" and something else? What is that something else?

 

[tallbouy]

Interesting that you seem to be drawing a distinction between "manmade teachings" and something else? What is that something else?

I would like to know the answer to that question as well.

What you will more than likely get is, 'what do you mean something else'?

 

[ScottA]

I would like to know the answer to that question as well.

What you will more than likely get is, 'what do you mean something else'?

That something else is God.

The teachings of humanity very often pertain to humanity, but the teachings of God pertain to God. The point is that, God created the world and therefore His teachings are true.

Understandably, it would appear that all teachings are from humanity to humanity, but that is only true for those who do not know God: Those who know Him have a connection not unlike twins or the like, who know what the other is thinking, etc..

 

[TLK Valentine]

This is absolutely false. God does in fact call us to use our minds.

He must be pretty proud of me, then.

 

[TLK Valentine]

You don't need to "give up" your "critical faculties" to come to God.

That is a false presumption often made of Christians. God wants us to use the minds He gave us. He doesn't desire mindless followers who never think, never question and never seek discernment.

It's religious leaders who desire that -- makes social control ever so much easier.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Yes, I think anyone can, and should. Why blindly accept anything as truth?

So... Jesus as God, Virgin Birth, miracle stories, the resurrection... all up for debate, then?

 

[tallbouy]

Those who know Him have a connection not unlike twins or the like, who know what the other is thinking, etc..

Perhaps that's why they say your God is all in your mind and he knows everything you do, your God knows exactly what you want and you know what your God wants.

 

[ScottA]

Perhaps that's why they say your God is all in your mind and he knows everything you do, your God knows exactly what you want and you know what your God wants.

No, but it would be why they say He is omnipresent.

And...in anticipation of your, "But then He would be in my mind too" comeback: Like the elephant in the room...apparently you missed Him.

 

[TLK Valentine]

That something else is God.

The teachings of humanity very often pertain to humanity, but the teachings of God pertain to God. The point is that, God created the world and therefore His teachings are true.

Understandably, it would appear that all teachings are from humanity to humanity, but that is only true for those who do not know God: Those who know Him have a connection not unlike twins or the like, who know what the other is thinking, etc..

So if we want to know God, we should listen to those Very Special People who have met Him, eh?

 

[ScottA]

So if we want to know God, we should listen to those Very Special People who have met Him, eh?

No, you should treat them like astronauts or visitors from foreign lands: Don't believe a word they say, call them crazy and delusional, but hangout with them so you can do it again tomorrow.

 

[amariselle]

It's religious leaders who desire that -- makes social control ever so much easier.

No religious (and I'm referring to Christian here) leader I've ever met has desired such a thing.

Sometimes I truly wonder how it is that non-Christians actually think we're all a bunch of indoctrinated, mindless followers.

I think they should actually meet with some Christians and talk with some Pastors. It wouldn't take long to realize that Christians don't just go to church and blindly accept everything the Pastor says. Not even close.

 

[amariselle]

So if we want to know God, we should listen to those Very Special People who have met Him, eh?

Actually, you should first and foremost listen to God, not people.