Ask a Christian

[LetThereBe]

Quote by: Athena I honor your wisdom Patrick Henry. Wisdom begins with knowing we don't know. If Christians were so wise, our reality would be much better.

Two things:
I believe two things: truth is absolute, and it is knowable.
Anyways, since the Christian religion became poplular, few Christians are followers of Jesus. Every true follower of Jesus I have known (all two of them) were incredibly wise, compassionate, but still bold for their beliefs. They readily admitted their shortcomings, and at the same were patient with others and moral with their own lives. They reflected the true attitude of Christ, and had more to do so far with my religious developement than my parents, 18 years of church, the Bible, or anything else. I am afraid that when people rightly blame "Christians" they associate it with Christ.
Secondly, again I hear our reality would be much better. I do not know how better can be defined without a reference point. Why is it better to be honest, when being a thief and a liar can get you further much faster? Why is it better to be compassionate than to be cruel? Why is it better to give than to recieve? As I have said before, Christians believe this reference point is God, so His will is all that matters. If God orders genocide, than it is good. If God kills children, He is justified. What He does with His creation is His choice.

[LetThereBe]

Quote by: Athena Well, God speaks to me, and I know the bible should not be interpreted literally as many Christians are doing. I don't think Bush understood God correctly when he went to war with Iraq and when he ignored the hurricane for several days when major damage was expected. And why didn't God tell Bush to fund work on the levies and protect New Orleans in the first place? Like how can we be sure of what God is saying to us and about who is deluded and who is God really speaking to. Exactly what kind of this stuff does tell people? Did God tell Moses the story of Adam and Eve? Why is the biblical story of creation the same as the much older Egyptian story? Did God tell it to the Egyptians? Did God talk with the Mayan? Did God tell the same things to the Chinese? Did God have an angel tell Mohammed what to tell the Abrabs? How do we know? Why aren't we searching all books of knowledge for what God said to all people? Wouldn't this make sense if we really wanted to know about God?

Well, since God speaks to you, you should already know all these answers! If God did not mean for the Bible to be interpreted literally (except some visions, dreams, and prophecies that are clearly symbolic) than how do we know what is literal and what is not? Perhaps Jesus himself was nothing more than a metaphor. Declaring the Bible a figurative book is declaring it an impotent book lacking any truth or power. It ceases to be sacred scripture, and can be used to justify even MORE atrocities, as there is no clear interpretation, and what the Bible would mean would be more or less up to the reader.

God chooses to reveal Himself to whoever He wants. I believe (or at least desperately hope) that God is either A) unable to lie, or B) unwilling to lie. If God himself presented contradicting religions to various peoples, than knowing truth would be pretty hopeless. I believe all religions have some truth (hence similar accounts of creation/flood) but there is only one whole and complete truth out there. For the time being, I've placed my bet with Christianity, and I'm honest enough to admit this is primarily because of people I've met and my own upbringing, and not some revelation from God. Perhaps God did not tell Bush to protect against the hurricane, and perhaps He told him to go into Iraq as a PUNISHMENT. This is VERY often reflected in scripture. God often leads people to destruction for sins, and most would be able to think of plenty of sins in America (the favorite among Christians today would probably be abortion). Ahab was convinced to go to his own death in battle by prophets with a spirit sent from God. Pharoahs heart was hardened so that he would suffer the plagues and thereby show God's glory before releasing Israel. God allowing us to suffer and die in natural disaster and an unsuccessful war would not be inconsistent at all with scripture.
Lastly, I agree with you that all scripture of all people and all cultures should be read and analyzed. Contradictions should be clearly noted. Consistincies should be brought forth boldly as well. Even if a relgion is not absolute truth, it certainly will contain a great amount of wisdom that anyone from any culture can benefit from. I have read a little of Buddhism, and I am impressed with the compassion and the love it reflects. I do not believe reincarnation is truth (a very clear contradiction with other religions) but I believe I have still grown spiritually by increasing my understanding.