Comments for Who Would Die for a Lie?

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James Tracy

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This is a point that it seems is too often overlooked or forgotten. Christians will always challenge us to try and explain the gospel's testimony of the resurrection in terms of natural explanations. That's easy, of course. But the even greater challenge should be why Christians accept a particular supernatural explanation given the even greater number of such explanations!

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>> 6 months ago

Uruk

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You have an interesting argument. Make them realize "You can't have your cake and eat it too". But, it seems, many Christians don't get this. Not up front, at least.

I'm an ex Pentecostal, so I don't think that argument would influence me much — at least, not at first. Perhaps it would plant a seed, though. I was really deep into the supernatural stuff and I would have probably just ignored your point of view. But, other types of Christians who were not so deep into the supernatural stuff might feel a jolt from your argument.

That's a great way to plant a seed, even if they simply dismiss your argument.

Have you ever heard about the book "When Prophecy Fails"? It's based on a study by three social psychologists. Here are the main points:

* Psychologists theorize that cults who believe in a prophesy still remain in their cult after the prophesy fails.
* Psychologists see a news paper article about a UFO cult waiting on aliens to take them away before destroying the earth.
* UFO cult shuns the local press and refuses interviews. Does not actively seek to recruit new members.
* Psychologists work their way into the cult as new members.
* The aliens arrival date is set — even to the hour — 12:00 Midnight (I can't recall the day).
* The aliens never arrive (of course). Some members become disgusted and leave the group.
* However, the most loyal members remain. They rationalize that the aliens want to spare humankind a little longer.
* As a result — the cult opens up and evangelizes and seeks out the local press for attention.
* The Psychologists documented all of this. Ironically, the psychologists became the true prophets in this whole situation.

Can you figure out the implications? Here's where my mind immediately went:

Jesus dies, but never raises.
The disciples rationalize that Jesus rose as a spirit and will return again later for all to see.
Until then, they are to evangelize the Jews.
The Jews aren't interested. They're too monotheistic to believe in Jesus and God, too.
So, the Christians start to evangelize anyone else.

Because these people had so much to lose if they turn their backs on their initial commitment (cognitive dissonance), they stay committed — even though Jesus never rose. Perhaps even to death. All for a lie.

I haven't tried to argue this with any other Christians yet, but I'd bet they'd scream anathema! and start to pick up stones!

Or, they'll just dismiss the argument altogether. But, maybe that will still plant a seed, at least.

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>> 6 months ago

GJCHSE

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The thing about Christianity is that it has an answer for everything. GOD KNOWS that people die without knowing Christianity or being fully exposed to it which is not your fault. BUT, he also knows that each religion, even though they are wrong, will have a set of rules to follow. That is why he said you will be JUDGED.

But, if you are a Christian, God wants us to be free of ALL sin, believe Jesus is our Savior, and love God with all your heart and love everyone

PS. Being good is not good enough, and you are only credited for your works through Christ only, not for personal gain etc….

GOD is ALWAYS FAIR.

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>> 6 months ago

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