From my understanding it seems some atheists might think that theism is a rational belief, but they reject that a belief in a Christian God is a rational belief. So, I'd like to open this up for discussion here on the Christianity subforum. Is belief in the Christian God a rational belief?
(Edited: A specific example was taken out because it was disputed as being a fair example on my part.)
Is belief in the Christian God a rational belief?
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Post #31
Lotan wrote:Tilia wrote:Is it supposed that Jesus disagreed with the Decalogue?Lotan wrote:He wasn't too crazy about honoring Mom & Dad.Tilia wrote:He was a thief, a murderer, an adulterer and liar too? Is that what comes of being a polytheist? Or an idolater?Lotan wrote:I never said any of those things.Tilia wrote:I asked questions that need an answer if we are to proceed...If it is supposed that Jesus took scant notice of the Decalogue, there does not seem to me to be much purpose to this discussion or on any regarding Christianity.I will. Any position that holds that Jesus did not support the Decalogue has lost much too much credibility to be any threat to real faith. Imv, of course.Suit yourself.
Tilia wrote:Obviously not; they did not even attempt to interpret Scripture.I doubt that many of them could read.
They did not need to; oral transmission was the norm in the ancient world and much later.
Tilia wrote:It's not odd at all, given the universal propensity of humans to create any excuse to commit offences of greedy and sexual natures, which is what ancient idols were.You might have to, yes.We'll have to take your word for that.
Tilia wrote:Every conservative commentator that I know of interprets those 'gods' as being the human rulers of Israel, or, much more likely imv, the whole assembly of Israel.It means someone literate, numerate, and honest, in this case.Does "conservative commentator" mean 'apologist?
Post #32
Is that what you think I said?Tilia wrote:Any position that holds that Jesus did not support the Decalogue has lost much too much credibility to be any threat to real faith. Imv, of course.
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto His people. Exodus 32:14
Post #33
So you are saying that Jesus believed that there is one God?Lotan wrote:Is that what you think I said?Tilia wrote:Any position that holds that Jesus did not support the Decalogue has lost much too much credibility to be any threat to real faith. Imv, of course.
Or not?
Post #34
Is that what's bugging you? I don't know how many gods Jesus believed in. I always assumed that he was a one god kind of guy but, who knows? The important thing is that he didn't have any other gods before YHWH.Tilia wrote:So you are saying that Jesus believed that there is one God?
Or not?
Just for fun, who (or what) do you think "the Christian God" is?
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto His people. Exodus 32:14
Post #35
Is belief in the Christian God a rational belief?
I would have to say, absolutely not. Faith is the cornerstone of a beleiver's worldview, centered directly against reason. Faith is belief without knowledge, of things without parallel.
Post #38
quote="Lotan"
Tilia wrote:So you are saying that Jesus believed that there is one God?
Or not?
Nothing's bugging me. A moderator might sting you, though!Is that what's bugging you?
As you advised, I'll suit myself.I don't know how many gods Jesus believed in.
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Dilettante
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Post #40
I think the reasons why belief in the Christian God is not rational have probably been dealt with elsewhere in this forum. Many of them allude to the logical contradictions implicit in such a belief. I can't remember them all right now, but the ones which come to mind are:
1-The Christian God is supposed to have assumed human nature (Incarnation). To the logical mind, this is like saying that a circle has assumed the nature of a square (Spinoza dixit).
2- The Christian God is supposed to be everywhere but at the same time he is believed to reside in precise locations (temples, churches, the body of Jesus).
3- The Christian God is said to be omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent. But all three are incompatible, as evidenced by the problem of evil, and omniscience conflicts with human free will.
4- The Christian God is said to be one God, but three Persons. These three persons are not just "modes" of the same being. The Trinitarian God concept does not make sense to the logical mind.
Well, in brief, those four reasons may well be the ones people are thinking of when they say that belief in the Christian God is not rational.
I hope this post helps get the thread back on track.
1-The Christian God is supposed to have assumed human nature (Incarnation). To the logical mind, this is like saying that a circle has assumed the nature of a square (Spinoza dixit).
2- The Christian God is supposed to be everywhere but at the same time he is believed to reside in precise locations (temples, churches, the body of Jesus).
3- The Christian God is said to be omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent. But all three are incompatible, as evidenced by the problem of evil, and omniscience conflicts with human free will.
4- The Christian God is said to be one God, but three Persons. These three persons are not just "modes" of the same being. The Trinitarian God concept does not make sense to the logical mind.
Well, in brief, those four reasons may well be the ones people are thinking of when they say that belief in the Christian God is not rational.
I hope this post helps get the thread back on track.
