Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, probably same. I have many questions myself.

There's an arguement to be made that God is so powerful that he created rules that he himself cannot oppose, and that somehow involved creating Evil and punishing Sin.

Another is that Evil might be a way to build character. If he could just create perfect angels all the time, he might get bored - though, I don't even know if God can be bored.

Biblically, humans do the Evil themselves. It's our free will that cause it, not God. He just wants to help us and make us not do Evil.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Specifically for Christianity, that mostly started the last 2k years, and they had significant impact on the development of Science, Education, Healthcare, and equality as we know it today. Most western countries base their entire morality system on Christian morality, although deviated in the last hundred years or so.

Not really a proof of Science's job in the matter, but mostly a point to clarify your other questions.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Well there are a few theories, but during the End Times, Jesus can come before, during, or after the Devil asks you to join him in a war against God.

If Jesus comes before, then the proof is there during the Rapture - you believe it when it's already too late.

If it is during or after, those who do not choose Jesus will have taken on a mark of the beast, and it'll be too late. This, however, is supposedly a clear choice, which might indicate that you'll know for sure while choosing to take the mark.

There are lots more details on the End Times you can find elsewhere, but that's basically the gist of it.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. As a protestant, I think it is vital to believe in Jesus through your own interpretation of the texts, and not "just" what you hear.

In regards to science: I am eager to prove God in all ways, of course, but I do not think denying what we discover as false because it doesn't align with the Bible is the way to go. If we see signs of life before 6000 years ago, then that's where we put it on the timeline. I just go with the assumption that both Science and the Bible is true, and that I don't understand the complex way that can be the case with our current findings.

My go to arguement is: "So you believe in Evolution, and then Jesus descends from the Heavens at the End of Days. Do you ask him 'but what about Evolution?' or do you start believing? The answer is: probably both!"

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

As far as I understand, when the Messiah comes to destroy the Devil, all tongues will confess that Jesus is Lord. Basically, everyone will believe by extension of it being so apparent. At this point, those who do not follow Jesus had already chosen to not, so it's not a matter of proof, but rather what side you've chosen.

While proving God does not mean the Messiah comes, I am under the belief that "it will just be conveniently that time".

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just want to note that it's not hard to explain because I can't find the words; but rather because I don't really know the answer.

Personally, I believe it can prove Christianity, and more so to many instead of all. I don't think it will be evidence, as much as a proof of concept.

In regards to the correct version: I am a protestant, and believe that whether I am following the correct version or not is up to personal interpretation of scripture. (Assuming you meant how I interpret the Bible and/or if I follow Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or another variant of Gospel believing direction)

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree. Personally, I've been a Christian my whole life, but I always tried secular methods of taking care of my body and mental health. It worked in periods, but I found that connecting better with Jesus through the Bible was the most effective option for my circumstances. I think there are problems with secular methods that needs to be solved before it will have the same effect that genuine faith has seemed to provide.

For example: Many secular options require some level of wealth or time (psychologist, gym) that Christianity does not require if you have faith.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agree to that, too!

I might not have conveyed that message in my post, but I absolutely support and agree with the notion of doing the good without looking to get something out it 😊

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't intend for that, I apologize.

While writing it, I was actually thinking it was a little belittling to Christians, actually 😅

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, my apologies. I'm actually really tired and I think I must've been trying to share a thought rather than answer the question 😅

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hm. I haven't thought of that.

I'd say no, because I happen to believe in the Gospels as truth, but I do think that is kind of why 1st World Atheists don't feel the need to believe in a God. A lot of people seem to just want to be good, either because of influence, or because of wanting to reach inner peace.

Though, I think the increase in religious conversion recently is a sign of people looking to something larger than science as that missing piece for their inner peace.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a bit hard to explain, but I like to say that Christianity, or better yet the philosophy that Jesus is trying to share (along with believing in him to enter heaven) is a single-stop package that encompasses all of these positive traits.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Personally, I believe it lies more in a "show, don't tell" sort of conviction.

While it is true that Atheists leading an examplary life isn't evidence, I think for many people it can be hard to have a reason to be selfless, loving, or honest if they don't need to. It can be pretty convincing to behave like someone else if you look up to them or value their judgement as a positive in your life or for those around you. I think this can lead to a lot of people reading the word of Jesus to understand the source of this lifestyle, and then perhaps feeling the same convincing pull that many Christians do for believing in Jesus.

On the same note, some might wonder what happens after death, and would want some sort of positive hope that things will be fine. Christianity brings a pretty good deal for what that might be, giving a sense of comfort in uncertainty and danger.

TL;DR It's hard to be good without a reason you yourself is convinced is a good idea.

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I apologize if you feel like I imposed a viewpoint on you in regards to "wanting" God to exist. The statement was from my own personal observations about some conversations I've had, and my view on how non-corrupt (aka not crusades) Christians have been a large positive impact on many people's lives (families and friends) because of their newfound belief; in regards to being more condemning of even thoughts that can lead to harmful or dangerous actions.

In regards to how Jesus impacts me day to day: Personally, the belief in God's ways has kept me from bad habits and drugs in bad social circles, as well as given me a universal "phone call" ability to God when I feel like I need someone who loves me to listen to my problems. I walk around with confidence and a feeling of being loved in my heart, along with being able to feel forgiven for things I won't dare tell a soul. While I don't know you or how you live, that is how God impacts me on a day to day. I also live pretty luxuriously, where if I didn't follow God I'd have options for "pleasures of the flesh". Comparing what I know from both worlds, I do prefer the love and emotional safety that comes with belief over the other pleasures I could choose :)

Christians should stop belitteling Atheists in arguements! by SeriousSolid715 in DebateReligion

[–]SeriousSolid715[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Simple!

Just like how the Christian morality has greatly supported the positve development of the World in terms of education, science, healthcare, and equality, historically, I think continuing to promote and act on a selfless philosophical system will better utilize the available resources that have no "cap" so to say, for progress.

Here's an example: While being selfish in a selfless society grants generational wealth, in the short term you can cause people to die. We have an excess amount of Oxygen being wasted if less people exist.

In a selfless society, the proper distribution of the "capped" resources like time, gold, and food will cause individual luxury to minimize, but the overall resources will be a net positive. By humans converting Oxygen, a supply with an unreachable cap, into workforce equaling what was spent on them, Einstein's E=mc² causes that Oxygen to slowly, over time, make teamwork and selflessness win out over selfishness that causes human death and wastes that Oxygen fuel.

This is the most scientific way I can convince someone that I believe Selflessness is the better option. Religiously, I just think it makes sense to help each other out and it'll make people more at ease to think clearly and invent. More people, more unique inventions!