"Anybody who has been seriously engaged in scientific work of any kind realizes that over the entrance to the gates of the temple of science are written the words: Ye must have faith. It is a quality which the scientist cannot dispense with. " ~ Max Planck Where is Science Going? [1932]
For my Christians Friends
- Thread starter nyxtrader
- Start date
Alright, you established the criteria for what a true religion would constitute.
What about defunct religions like the Egyptian religion which lasted for a very long time? Or the Babylonian religions? And the Greek and Roman religions of whom we owe much in the way of names of stars and constellations. And the Druid polytheistic religion? (It's still sort of in practice today.)
Were these true religions? They pretty much follow the criteria above with some exception based on interpretation and historical context. They stood the test of time but alas are no longer followed.
But they'd beg to differ with you and in fact will make a case that their self-sacrifice is actually altruistic and not just a selfish act for the purpose of reserving a place in paradise accompanied by virgins. They are, in their way of looking at things, attacking their perceived enemy in the hopes of bringing peace and a better life for their people. Many Muslims, especially moderate ones, support suicide attacks against the perceived enemies of Islam in principle and think they are justified. Polls galore represent this fact. Especially when it comes to the Palestinian population. And they're a good mix of Sunni and Shi'ite sects.
Google "polls find that Muslims support suicide attacks."
Spiritual? Are you sure? Because Epicurious is well known for denying that there's a god(s), an after-life, and any realm past the physical one.
To put it in a nutshell; Epicurious stated that men simply lived and then died - so while he is alive a man should seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
But, I agree churches do teach Epicurean-like philosophy of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.
Yes, I do see the connection. How to account for it is a question that comes to mind. Could it be an intrinsic desire in humans to want to live past this life? To live better lives? To live wishing that they will be rewarded for upholding a standard?
But you know Christianity is far more specific as to how one obtains salvation such that the Buku Buku exception would invalidate the entire paradigm.
Christianity requires at a minimum:
1. Faith in the finished work on the cross and that there is no other name in heaven or on Earth by which men can be saved except by the Name of Jesus.
2. Repentance.
3. Confession of faith.
4. Baptism. (Some contend otherwise.)
The self-confused mind of the Son would not be saved without the guidance of the Holy Spirit which is the Universal Inspiration for all mankind. I simply heard and articulated the whole counsel of the Holy Spirit, and so have become synonymous with the only message that saves, if heard, heeded, and practiced until the mind is healed. Baptism is a symbol of the washing of the concept of guilt out of the Son's mind. Then his innocence delivers him from time to eternity.
Innocence is a universal truth, but it is not believed. It's alternative, guilt, nails the Son of God down to bodies in time through the magic of consciousness, perception and "bad" faith. Repentance describes a change of mind which is fundamentally a learning process. The Son of God has "learned" to manipulate consciousness and perception, leading to embodiment and suffering. His learning has led him into hell. But there is another type of learning that leads out of hell as the mind is gradually changed back to it's sane reality. This takes some Truth oriented faith. Guilt is washed away by "forgiveness" which is simply to let the truth be true. What is true? Innocence is a universal truth. Also, nothing about the world is true. What seems to have happened is not true. This is the basis of effective forgiveness. As this awareness is practiced, guilt is washed away, and the mind that sleeps and dreams under its weight wakes up to reality. That is the resurrection. In the Kingdom, there is no learning. There is only total knowledge.
Jesus
