Can one assent to Christianity intellectually, but still think it is nonsense? One is driven to accept it, because of some prejudice that it must be the truth. But there are still aspects of it which outrage one's reason.
Except, one is no longer inclined to argue with what seems like nonsense to one's own self....
Can One Assent to Christianity This Way?
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Dimmesdale
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Can One Assent to Christianity This Way?
Post #1I am In-Itself,
I endeavor For-Itself,
And I aim for Being-Itself.
"Yet, by the constitution of his nature, he loved the truth, and loathed the lie, as few men ever did."
I endeavor For-Itself,
And I aim for Being-Itself.
"Yet, by the constitution of his nature, he loved the truth, and loathed the lie, as few men ever did."
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JehovahsWitness
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Re: Can One Assent to Christianity This Way?
Post #2Many Christian groups are very formalistic and their members find that rituals and rhetoric very satisfying so they are happy to dismiss that which doesn't make sense to them as a "mystery" (a mystery cannot be explained but is not necessarily "nonsense"). As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I don't think one can really believe what one feels is "nonsense"; something must make sense on some level to believe it is true.Dimmesdale wrote: ↑Mon Dec 22, 2025 2:05 pm Can one assent to Christianity intellectually, but still think it is nonsense? One is driven to accept it, because of some prejudice that it must be the truth. But there are still aspects of it which outrage one's reason.
Except, one is no longer inclined to argue with what seems like nonsense to one's own self....
Hope that helps,
JW
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"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" - Romans 14:8
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681
"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" - Romans 14:8
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Re: Can One Assent to Christianity This Way?
Post #3[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #2]
Mystery is indeed nonrational rather than irrational. The problem with invoking "mystery" as a solution to every problem with a religion is that it merely makes that religion logically unfalsifiable, which does nothing to make it intellectually robust.they are happy to dismiss that which doesn't make sense to them as a "mystery" (a mystery cannot be explained but is not necessarily "nonsense").
"The religious idea of God cannot do full duty for the metaphysical infinity."
---Alan Watts
---Alan Watts
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Mr E
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Re: Can One Assent to Christianity This Way?
Post #4[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #2]
To diminish mystery as nonsense is completely disrespectful of the miraculous, unexplainable truths we simply don't understand.
When Jesus was asked to cast the demon from a man's son-- 'if you are able...' He replied saying "all things are possible..."
But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Then Jesus said to him, “‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9)
Acknowledging mystery might simply require the suspension of disbelief.
To diminish mystery as nonsense is completely disrespectful of the miraculous, unexplainable truths we simply don't understand.
When Jesus was asked to cast the demon from a man's son-- 'if you are able...' He replied saying "all things are possible..."
But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Then Jesus said to him, “‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9)
Acknowledging mystery might simply require the suspension of disbelief.
