Bertrand Russell

[nailit]

“There is one very serious defect to my mind in Christ's moral character, and that is that He believed in hell. I do not myself feel that any person who is really profoundly humane can believe in everlasting punishment''

Can anyone disagree?
The idea of been tortured forever is sick beyond belief.
If there's one thing (actually there are many) that turns me off from Christianity, its this idea that unbelievers will be tortured beyond belief for not believing in the God of love.
(Anyone else here see the contradiction)??

[agchristie]

//then surely you are restricted to contemplating what you can actually see? //

Yes, which is not very much with a blindfold on ;-)

[andy-hughes]

237SJ - // AH why do you go to church if you are an athiest? //

I go to support my wife who is a Christian.

I do enjoy the ritual of Mass, and I like the social camaraderie - we all have a cuppa in the parish hall afterwards.

I am intrigued by the concept of Christianity, and I appreciate that people draw strength from their faith - I simply don't share it.

[237SJ]

If I'm honest I suppose I tend to agree. I was in Sorrento in May and we went down to see the local church and there was a service in progress of which we caught the end of. I loved the ritual and theatre of it.

[237SJ]

^ having said that though I have absolutely no time whatsoever for the RC church. Still, each to their own

[andy-hughes]

237SJ - // ^ having said that though I have absolutely no time whatsoever for the RC church. Still, each to their own //

I think it's the most corrupt venal horrible organisation on the planet, but as you say, each to their own.

[douglas9401]

Is Alice here yet?

[237SJ]

AH- I don't think it is. I spend a lot of time in South America and particularly Central America. Religion and particulaly RC is a huge comfort to the people there. Who are we to say that they shouldn't practice a doctrine that makes them happy?

[jourdain2]

One vicar I knew felt that the concept of 'Hell' is simply not being with God. I can go with that - I don't know ANYONE who goes with the medieval ideas of flames, pincers etc. etc. as portrayed in ancient pictures. If you are not a Christian- well, on death you cease to exist. Best I can explain.

[Theland]

RC and other, "religions," are man made, so no wonder the disappointment.

[Atheist]

Theland; I think that your religion is man-made - made by you. You pick and choose bits from the bible which suit your innate instincts, and then claim that you are actually finding the 'true' word of god. You seem to hate foreigners and benefit scroungers, and you try to justify your own feelings by appealing to the holy book. Be a man and admit that your opinions are yours, not god's.

[Theland]

Do you, Nailit, consider yourself an expert on the bible? You sound like you do.

[Theland]

Atheist - no chance, you are wrong, again.

[naomi24]

Theland, //RC and other, "religions," are man made//

Without Catholicism Christianity, in any form, wouldn't exist. You don't adhere to any mainstream religion and have your own ideas but don't kid yourself that you alone know what others don't. Just ask yourself who made your 'religion'. You'll find it was you. Man made? Of course - just like all the rest.

[andy-hughes]

I have to agree Naomi, but experience tells us that Theland won't!!

[JF85]

"Who are we to say that they shouldn't practice a doctrine that makes them happy?"

Are we perhaps the ones that recognise that banning contraception and spending on first communion dresses instead, while demanding payment to wealthy bishops, is not the best way to overcome grinding poverty?

Mother Theresa might have done far more good if she had encouraged birth control and female emancipation rather than telling poor women to stay at home and make babies.

[Atheist]

I agree with Bertrand Russell and Nailit.

[Theland]

My so called," religion, " is bible based Christianity. Not man made.

[nailit]

//My so called," religion, " is bible based Christianity. Not man made//

A bible (collection of books) that was put together on the say so of a pagan roman emperor! Are you not familiar with Constantine?

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // My so called," religion, " is bible based Christianity. Not man made. //

Forgive me for asking the obvious, but where do you think the bible comes from?

And please don't say 'The Word Of God' because that is far too trite and obvious a response.

The Bible was written by someone or someones, and it came from somewhere, so where do you believe this to be?

(Hint - I'm looking for evidence that it is not clearly 'man made') which may be a tricky one for you.

[Theland]

We what attracted me to the bible was the prophecies.
Then the historical evidence for accuracy.
Over 6000 manuscripts and part manuscripts all supporting the party line.
Yes written by men inspired by God.
See Daniel B Wallace on this subject.