Comments on: Christianity’s “Contradictions” http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/ www.Politics-Religion.com Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:05:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: » The Cult within Christianity « Politics & Religion-My 1983 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-1246 » The Cult within Christianity « Politics & Religion-My 1983 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:43:24 +0000 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-1246 [...] Downfall Series - Part Three(Read Part One and Part Two before [...] [...] Downfall Series – Part Three(Read Part One and Part Two before [...]

]]> By: Culprititus http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-959 Culprititus Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:39:55 +0000 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-959 I think the idea that skeptic "un-believers" are not swayed by the spiritual message of Christians is highly flawed. "The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. (1Cor. 2:14-15, NET)" So why do "believers" organize into groups that choose to believe the same thing? Spirituality is a solely personal experience. Calling people that don't believe as you have chosen to believe foolish seems to be a silly way to promote personal spiritual growth. Sharing understanding can promote new understanding in everyone involved. Only the individual can decide what they will believe. Coercive religion undermines the precept of spirituality: finding your own answers and understanding about your personal experience. I think the idea that skeptic “un-believers” are not swayed by the spiritual message of Christians is highly flawed.

“The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one.
(1Cor. 2:14-15, NET)”

So why do “believers” organize into groups that choose to believe the same thing? Spirituality is a solely personal experience. Calling people that don’t believe as you have chosen to believe foolish seems to be a silly way to promote personal spiritual growth.

Sharing understanding can promote new understanding in everyone involved. Only the individual can decide what they will believe. Coercive religion undermines the precept of spirituality: finding your own answers and understanding about your personal experience.

]]> By: Nick70 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-673 Nick70 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:05:52 +0000 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-673 Hey guys, Both of your comments brought a couple of scriptures to mind. <b>astudent</b> -- your comment brought this to mind: <blockquote>The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. (1Cor. 2:14-15, NET)</blockquote> From my conversations with unbeliever's (particularly hyper-skeptics) it doesn't matter how compelling of an argument you present -- they will not be swayed. I believe we can address this on the presuppositional level in that their world view more times than not has already discounted supernaturalism which from the beginning precludes them from accepting our faith. <b>Justin</b> -- your comment reminded me of this: <blockquote>For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Cor. 1:18, NET)</blockquote> It is clear that Christianity appears foolish to those who are perishing no matter how cogent a presentation we give of it, but my frustration (which I believe is yours also) is that fundamentalism makes Christianity look foolish to other Christians! We certainly need to work past this... I appreciate your posts -- keep em' coming! Nick Hey guys,

Both of your comments brought a couple of scriptures to mind.

astudent — your comment brought this to mind:

The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one.
(1Cor. 2:14-15, NET)

From my conversations with unbeliever’s (particularly hyper-skeptics) it doesn’t matter how compelling of an argument you present — they will not be swayed. I believe we can address this on the presuppositional level in that their world view more times than not has already discounted supernaturalism which from the beginning precludes them from accepting our faith.

Justin — your comment reminded me of this:

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Cor. 1:18, NET)

It is clear that Christianity appears foolish to those who are perishing no matter how cogent a presentation we give of it, but my frustration (which I believe is yours also) is that fundamentalism makes Christianity look foolish to other Christians! We certainly need to work past this…

I appreciate your posts — keep em’ coming!

Nick

]]> By: Justin http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-607 Justin Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:17:52 +0000 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-607 Hi astudent, your reply made me smile! I'm glad that you understand the point I was making (or at least, trying to make). That is why I become so frusterated when nonbelievers feel that religion (Christianity in particular) is foolish. Their hearts are hardened and they can't see the truth. "after much contemplation" yes...and to an extent, the contemplation never ends! -Justin Hi astudent,
your reply made me smile! I’m glad that you understand the point I was making (or at least, trying to make). That is why I become so frusterated when nonbelievers feel that religion (Christianity in particular) is foolish. Their hearts are hardened and they can’t see the truth.

“after much contemplation”

yes…and to an extent, the contemplation never ends!

-Justin

]]> By: astudent http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-605 astudent Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:56:10 +0000 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-605 Justin, Seldom do I find myself agreeing with anyone, so this is a rare occasion. Well, maybe not. Actually I find most of the Bible to be symbolic. Even the literal parts such as Jesus healing the sick and raising the dead are only there to teach us a spiritual lesion. When we try to explain this to a nonbeliever they do not have ears to hear, or eyes to see spiritual things, so what is clear to us (after much contemplation) is impossible for them to understand. They think we are confused when it really is them. (I would not even attempt to convince them of this)(Or would I?). Justin,
Seldom do I find myself agreeing with anyone, so this is a rare occasion. Well, maybe not. Actually I find most of the Bible to be symbolic. Even the literal parts such as Jesus healing the sick and raising the dead are only there to teach us a spiritual lesion. When we try to explain this to a nonbeliever they do not have ears to hear, or eyes to see spiritual things, so what is clear to us (after much contemplation) is impossible for them to understand. They think we are confused when it really is them. (I would not even attempt to convince them of this)(Or would I?).

]]> By: Christianity’s Downfall « Politics & Religion http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-598 Christianity’s Downfall « Politics & Religion Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:08:50 +0000 http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/2007/06/27/explaining-the-contradictions-of-christianity/#comment-598 [...] then, have a great day/night!  (CLICK HERE FOR PART [...] [...] then, have a great day/night!  (CLICK HERE FOR PART [...]

]]>