Featured Was the New Testament intended to be taken as Scripture?

[Multicolored Lemur]

But then if Paul didn't write 1 Timothy, then that makes Timothy irrelevant or questionable at best.

Or it could be viewed as like James, Jude, 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, etc.

Now, as a good-hearted agnostic, I wish we were more relaxed about the whole thing, that Christianity had co-existed with Pagan beliefs all through Europe, and that mixed marriages were one type of normal.

And with kids . . .

I think we’ve got to level with them and let them know it’s story and make-believe. That it’s a story of helping others, love, and sacrifice, and that the trick is to help others without sacrificing. And to say all this in an age-appropriate way!

And parents can pull this off without breaking stride!

 

[AgnosticBoy]

That's a good point. There is some defensiveness behind the idea that Christianity could ever be influenced by other religions.

I'm sure all religions were influenced by something else. Like we've brought up before, the first monotheistic faith was probably Zoroastrianism. The biblical flood stories in Genesis can be found in Sumerian/Babylonian myths that predate them.

The thought should be that being influenced by other religions doesn't make the religion entirely false... nor should we view other religions as being completely useless and false. Once religionists get those two thoughts out of their head, I think different religions would become more accepting of each other and find common ground.

 

[Scooter]

I think we’ve got to level with them and let them know it’s story and make-believe.

This may be your opinion of the scriptures and of the Christian faith, but I assure you it is not make believe.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

I'm sure all religions were influenced by something else. Like we've brought up before, the first monotheistic faith was probably Zoroastrianism. The biblical flood stories in Genesis can be found in Sumerian/Babylonian myths that predate them.

I’m mainly just in favor of people being more relaxed about the whole thing.

For example, it’s okay if your spouse is a little more or less religious than you are. And we can “cherry-pick.” That’s one of the big advantages of being an atheist or agnostic.

I mean, I can take the parts I like from Christianity, from Rabbi Hillel, from zen Buddhism, from Native American beliefs, and more!

I can even draw from philosophies such as John Rawl’s “The Veil of Ignorance” — how do I define a just society if I have no idea whom I’m going to be? For example, if I’m going to be randomly reincarnated into that society.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

I think most kids view religion like school. Meaning, it’s something which is only occasionally useful and practical.

 

[Scooter]

For example, it’s okay if your spouse is a little more or less religious than you are. And we can “cherry-pick.” That’s one of the big advantages of being an atheist or agnostic.

But what if the Bible is true? What if there is a real Heaven and a real Hell? Are you willing to gamble your eternity on a little religion? If you’re right, then I have lost nothing in the end and we wind up exactly the same. However, if I’m right about Jesus, then I gain eternal life while you loose everything. Are you good taking that chance? If so then all I can do is wish you well.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

For example, it’s okay if your spouse is a little more or less religious than you are. And we can “cherry-pick.” That’s one of the big advantages of being an atheist or agnostic.

But what if the Bible is true? What if there is a real Heaven and a real Hell? Are you willing to gamble your eternity on a little religion? If you’re right, then I have lost nothing in the end and we wind up exactly the same. However, if I’m right about Jesus, then I gain eternal life while you loose everything. Are you good taking that chance? If so then all I can do is wish you well.

That is a valid point.

Yeah to me, the position that Lemur described is more of a temporary spot in some cases. The agnostic and atheist could then continue looking for answers until the matter is proven one way or another to their satisfaction.

But still, I'd like to think that even if I accepted that Christianity was true, that this doesn't require the level of defensiveness (or zealousness) that some Christians tend to express at any mention of another religion. For instance, a Christian should be willing to accept that other religions offer good insight.

 

[Scooter]

a Christian should be willing to accept that other religions offer good insight

Good insights don’t offer forgiveness of sin or salvation. What other religion offers the free pardon of sins? I cannot endorse any religion that leads people to Hell no matter how much insight it offers.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Good insights don’t offer forgiveness of sin or salvation. What other religion offers the free pardon of sins? I cannot endorse any religion that leads people to Hell no matter how much insight it offers.

They don't offer salvation per se, but neither does the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is still useful of course because it gives advice on how to live life in a principled way. I would at least think there would be no problems looking to other religions in that way. In fact, as a non-believer, I start there with all religions before jumping into any spiritual/supernatural stuff.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

But what if the Bible is true? What if there is a real Heaven and a real Hell? Are you willing to gamble your eternity on a little religion? If you’re right, then I have lost nothing in the end and we wind up exactly the same. However, if I’m right about Jesus, then I gain eternal life while you loose everything. Are you good taking that chance? If so then all I can do is wish you well.

Ah, the ol’ “Pascal’s Wager,”

But even if He or She exists, we do not know whether God is a . . .

Buddhist, Baptist, Baháʼí, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Mormon, Native American “Great Spirit,” or any of the rest!

* and for bonus points does anyone know which of the ones I’ve listed is the monotheistic religion with the 3rd most followers?

——————

Or I guess someone can try to be a good person according to their own best lights and help others where practicable. And thereby “cover” as many bets as they can.