Re: Any comments? (Answers to Pete)

Pete Dashwood wrote:
Here are some other things I really don't understand:

1. God SO loved the world, he gave his only son to be tortured and killed as atonement for the sins of Mankind.

What were these sins that demanded such a sacrifice?
Well, a woman offered her man some fruit that God had said they weren't to touch. (It was a test; why would an omniscient God, who already knew what the outcome was going to be, do this? For a laugh? To help combat the boredom of being eternal? Whatever, it strikes me as distinctly unGodlike behaviour...)
So a man (who happens to be the personification of God) gets flogged, humiliated, and crucified because an apple was stolen thousands of years before? Last time I looked, the cost of apples was not exactly so high that you'd kill for one...never mind torturing and humiliation.

Heh - well, if you look at it that way, no wonder it doesn't make sense. :) The sin wasn't necessarily eating an apple - it was the choice to disobey God. He created them with free will - they had to choose whether to obey Him or not.

And, God didn't want a sea of robots (or that would be what He would have created). Rather, He wanted beings who would *choose* to worship Him for Who He is, and trust Him for their needs.

2. And who was this terrible sacrifice made to?
Well.... God.
The same God who gave his son (who was actually himself) to the mob?
Er...Yes.

Isn't that a bit like deciding to cut your foot off with a blunt knife because the cat did something to offend you?
I dunno, ask a Christian.

Jesus was sent because it is only He who could maintain a sinless life. For 33 1/3 years, He did it. His death was an acceptable sacrifice. The fact that He didn't stay dead shows not only that He paid for sin, but that He has also beaten sin "once" and "for all."

(As for who determines acceptability - well, that's God's job. He doesn't keep it a secret, though.)

3. And was this terrible sacrifice acceptable?
Apparently so.
For nicking an apple?
Yes.
And babies born every day are still 'tainted' by what this man and woman did?
Yes. Until they accept Jesus.

Sounds like you're getting the picture - I thought you said you didn't? ;)

4. So, if I can bring myself to accept this whole fiasco, I'll be saved?
Yep.
Guaranteed?
Yep.
I don't have to do anything, except believe it?
Yep.
No personal responsibility, just hang it all on the man on the cross?
Yep. Mind you, you should try not to sin any more... but if you slip up, you'll be forgiven.
So, God really is kind and forgiving?
Yep. Infinitely so.
So why would he... Oh, never mind.

He is infinitely kind and forgiving, but also infinitely just. Justice requires punishment for wrongdoing. Mercy means that He accepts someone else's payment for our wrongdoings, so we don't have to suffer punishment ourselves. All we have to do is claim that payment.

The above is not intended to be offensive to devout Christians and I apologise unreservedly if you find it so. I'm trying to honestly convey some of the confusion that Christianity gives rise to in me, at least.

I wasn't - and my answers aren't an attempt to "change you" or "make you see the light" or anything like that. Just trying to help dispel your confusion. :)

Gotta go now... there are some guys in hoods setting fire to a cross on my front lawn... must be Christians, I guess... It's a very violent religion....:-)

You think that's bad, just wait until Allah's followers come to your town!

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"Who is more irrational? A man who believes in a God he doesn't see, or a man who's offended by a God he doesn't believe in?" - Brad Stine
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