A theological conundrum

[melosh]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

 

[Parsimony]

If I just found out that my religion was wrong, why would I continue with it?

 

[melosh]

If I just found out that my religion was wrong, why would I continue with it?

Because, you might think it is a trick. You may believe that it is a test of your faith, or you might just want to hang on to your old beliefs. It's very rare that people change religion later in life.

 

[Bunyip]

If it is a trick, then the god in question is an unpredictable monster - just do what it says and hope for the best.

 

[Sees]

This would only matter at all if life is more about winning a mystery quiz-show than adventure and experience. I would think that the deity is joking around or testing for the type of response I give.

 

[Sir Doom]

I decline to answer. Ball's in your court, God.

 

[Glaurung]

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

Clearly I would repent. What good is my religion if its claims are false and do not offer worship pleasing to God?

Because, you might think it is a trick. You may believe that it is a test of your faith, or you might just want to hang on to your old beliefs. It's very rare that people change religion later in life.

If God himself is telling you that your religion is incorrect, I do not think even a the most staunch adherent of that religion would insist otherwise.

 

[Quintessence]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

Assuming I wasn't brain-numbed, I would probably smirk quietly and say something to the degree of "oh, it's so adorable that you think my religion works that way. Which trickster god are you?"

They might say "I am no trickster god, mortal!"

To which I might say "perhaps not, but you are quite uninformed about my religion. You say what I believe is wrong? My religion isn't a matter of belief. It's a matter of values. My values are mine to have, and whether they are right or wrong to someone else is surely not relevant to me. I don't ask that others agree with my values or follow my path. If someone says I am 'wrong' to celebrate the turnings of the seasons or celebrate the passings of Storm Spirits, they are free to such opinions just as I am free to mine. You cannot take my values - my religion - away from me no matter where you put me. Sorry to disappoint you."

 

[Parsimony]

Because, you might think it is a trick. You may believe that it is a test of your faith, or you might just want to hang on to your old beliefs.

If we are talking about a being who has control over reality and perception, then there is no way to know that it is a trick. You might as well go with the flow.

It's very rare that people change religion later in life.

Most people don't come face-to-face with God during their life like in your scenario either. That makes a big difference.

 

[Willamena]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

To wake up.

 

[Willamena]

I decline to answer. Ball's in your court, God.

Baal is, too.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

If there is such thing as a place like hell, I don't want to have anything to do with the God that built it. I can't stop God from judging me, but I certainly can still judge him.

 

[Aupmanyav]

What I follow cannot be wrong, and that is 'dharma' (fulfillment of one's duties and engaging in righteous action). Which God can have the temerity to say that it is wrong?

 

[samosasauce]

I'm not sure how that would work. My "religious" motto is to live life however I believe it should be lived, and if for some reason that deserves punishment, so be it.

 

[Aupmanyav]

My "religious" motto is to live life however I believe it should be lived, ..

And how do you believe it should be lived? Stealing, robbery, murder, etc.?

 

[samosasauce]

And how do you believe it should be lived? Stealing, robbery, murder, etc.?

I hope you're not accusing me of any of those things simply because I said that! I don't believe in doing any of those things!! I believe life should be lived with empathy, learning, and compassion.

 

[George-ananda]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

Switch and go to heaven. Why keep myself stuck in error?

 

[bobhikes]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

Ifind this to be a very self centered untrust worthy deity and doubt I would be happy with either choice. I move on else where.

 

[Delta-9]

(I assume this is the correct place to post this)

Let's say you die, and find out that whatever you believe in is wrong. You come before the face of a deity, and they tell you that you have a choice; you can repent, and go to heaven, or keep on with your religion, and be eternally punished.

What do you choose?

Ask if God wants me to grovel, sacrifice a goat, or send a shout-out every now and then. I suppose I would do whatever God tells me to do; standing up to an evil God sounds good but ultimately futile.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

What kind of idiot would argue with god about religion?