y u not christian

[sojourner]

- I have found no good reason to believe in any god.

- I have found many good reasons to conclude that religious beliefs are human creations.

- I see contradictions in the theology of Christianity.

- I find it absurd to think that an all-powerful god, desperate to communicate a message to all of humanity, would use a book of hearsay to do it.

- I consider the Atonement to be an unjust theology, and therefore irreconcilable with the idea of a God of Love

- I think that eternal punishment is infinitely disproportionate to any crime and therefore unjust... and again, irreconcilable with the idea of a God of Love.

- (This may depend a bit on what denomination you're talking about, but FWIW...) I see great harm perpetrated by people following Christianity, which again suggests to me the beliefs that motivate this harm is not the product of a God of Love.

- Every bit of evidence I've seen has indicated to me that the mind is inextricably linked with the brain, and because of this, I think it's unreasonable to presume that the mind can survive the death of the physical brain... which I think undermines any claims of an afterlife.

- While I allow for the possibility that there might be a real historical person at the centre of the Jesus myth, I think the mythic and miraculous elements of the Gospel story are best explained as later additions.

- I think that the evidence at hand suggests that many of the stories of the Old Testament, including the Creation myth, the flood story, and the Exodus, are false.

... that's what comes to mind right away. I'm sure there's more stuff. Back when my wife was pushing me to become Catholic and kept asking me "why won't you get baptized?" I finally sat down and wrote out my objections in three columns: one for Catholicism specifically, one for Christianity as a whole, and one for theism in general. My list of objections was six hand-written pages long. I've since lost the sheet, but needless to say, I have plenty of reasons for why I'm not a Christian.

You may be surprised to learn that I agree with you in most respects here. However, I do find reason to believe in Deity -- although not, particularly, as the common mythology presents "God."

I think religious beliefs are human creations.

I don't think God communicates primarily through a book.

Atonement is unjust and, I believe, not viable for the reasons you gave.

Eternal punishment likewise.

I'd be interested to have some detail as to the contradictions you perceive in theology. It depends what theology you're talking about. I, too, see some contradiction in what I call "pop-theology," because most of it is poorly constructed. I also see the possibility of certain kinds of theology clashing with certain others, for example, classical vs. womanist.

 

[Father Heathen]

Daddy the sand is just over my toes; daddy the sand is only up to my ankles; daddy the sand is only up to my knees ....

Oh, the irony.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

You may be surprised to learn that I agree with you in most respects here. However, I do find reason to believe in Deity -- although not, particularly, as the common mythology presents "God."

I think religious beliefs are human creations.

I don't think God communicates primarily through a book.

Atonement is unjust and, I believe, not viable for the reasons you gave.

Eternal punishment likewise.

I'd be interested to have some detail as to the contradictions you perceive in theology. It depends what theology you're talking about. I, too, see some contradiction in what I call "pop-theology," because most of it is poorly constructed. I also see the possibility of certain kinds of theology clashing with certain others, for example, classical vs. womanist.

Off the top of my head, one of the big contradictions for me is an image of Heaven that, IMO, completely contrary to all the things that Jesus preached about: a place of happiness and comfort where people don't concern themselves with the suffering of their fellow human beings in Hell? When people lived lives like this on Earth, Jesus called them "vipers", "hypocrites" and " whitewashed tombs".

Other problems I see: I do think that God's foreknowledge would negate human free will and imply that all of everything that will ever happen is a deliberate choice by God... i.e. that when a person goes to Hell, it is because God destined him to go there.

I also think that the notion of an unchanging God creating the universe (i.e. performing an act of change) is an oxymoron.

And that's without getting into all the places in the Bible where it says one thing in one place and the opposite in another... because I could probably fill a whole post just with those. I've heard the Bible called "the Big Book of Multiple Choice" before, and I'd have to say that the label seems like a pretty good fit to me.

 

[Tristesse]

i respectfull of all faths but i was jus wondering what makes not a christian if your not one
i did ask meself why not a muslim or anything other religious but i dont no i relly not intrest in religion but i have to be a good christian to umpress parents
so why you not a christian

Because there isn't evidence that christianity is true.

 

[sojourner]

Off the top of my head, one of the big contradictions for me is an image of Heaven that, IMO, completely contrary to all the things that Jesus preached about: a place of happiness and comfort where people don't concern themselves with the suffering of their fellow human beings in Hell? When people lived lives like this on Earth, Jesus called them "vipers", "hypocrites" and " whitewashed tombs".

Other problems I see: I do think that God's foreknowledge would negate human free will and imply that all of everything that will ever happen is a deliberate choice by God... i.e. that when a person goes to Hell, it is because God destined him to go there.

I also think that the notion of an unchanging God creating the universe (i.e. performing an act of change) is an oxymoron.

And that's without getting into all the places in the Bible where it says one thing in one place and the opposite in another... because I could probably fill a whole post just with those. I've heard the Bible called "the Big Book of Multiple Choice" before, and I'd have to say that the label seems like a pretty good fit to me.

With the possible exception of God's foreknowledge and the unchangeability of God (it would depend what one means by "uchchanging" -- I posit that, on one level God does change -- no another that God doesn't), I think I mostly agree here, too.

Interesting, isn't it, that I'm a Christian and you're not, when we seem to be in agreement?

 

[painted wolf]

Have you hugged a bear recently? The first cut is the deepest as the song goes.

Actually I have hugged a bear... much better than hugging a troll.

As long as it's not this one... I'll leave this one for the guys in the fabulous robes.

wa:do

 

[roberto]

Their Messiah spent only two days and nights in the grave.

 

[Reptillian]

I was unaware that this thread was in Lolcat...

"I can has chezeburger" is the only lolcat I've lolled at.

i respectfull of all faths but i was jus wondering what makes not a christian if your not one
i did ask meself why not a muslim or anything other religious but i dont no i relly not intrest in religion but i have to be a good christian to umpress parents
so why you not a christian

Have you ever read Bertrand Russell's "Why I Am Not a Christian"? It's got some good arguements. Here is the link: Why I Am Not A Christian, by Bertrand Russell

 

[9Westy9]

Daddy the sand is just over my toes; daddy the sand is only up to my ankles; daddy the sand is only up to my knees ....

don't worry. You still have time to save yourself

 

[1137]

it no make cents 2 me.

In my language: I am not Christian because I see nothing supporting it. In my opinion it may very well be the most illogical religion there is. First of all, scientific fact contradicts much of the religious beliefs. Now obviously many Christians accept things like evolution, homosexuality, ect, I am not neglecting those people who exist. But the logic behind Jesus alone is a turn off. A Jewish rabbi would not ever believe himself to be the messiah and son of God. He fits none of the qualifications for messiah including bloodline requirements on his father's side (he does not share blood with Joseph in Christian mythology).

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

With the possible exception of God's foreknowledge and the unchangeability of God (it would depend what one means by "uchchanging" -- I posit that, on one level God does change -- no another that God doesn't), I think I mostly agree here, too.

Interesting, isn't it, that I'm a Christian and you're not, when we seem to be in agreement?

Yes, I suppose that difference is strange, since my worldview has pushed me away from Christianity more than it's pulled me toward it. It makes me wonder what keeps you in Christianity.

You said you believe in "Deity", though, which is probably the key difference.

 

[roberto]

" y u not christian " ?
Because christians believe they have the Messiah...> without Torah.
And Jews believe they have Torah....> without the Messiah.

 

[Pastek]

Well, because i have to follow the last prophet. And Jesus is not the last one, that's why i'm not christian.

 

[roberto]

Well, because i have to follow the last prophet. And Jesus is not the last one, that's why i'm not christian.

Does the Quran state this or the Scriptures ?

 

[Azazelthedazzle]

I was Christian for a long time, Until I could no longer stop my desire for knowledge. I read the Satanic Bible. My father was abusive toward my mother, and both of them were abusive toward me. They both claim to be Christian. I was hit hard by Christians....I won't step into a Church without the feeling of joy that I was intelligent enough to escape.

 

[Pastek]

Does the Quran state this or the Scriptures ?

The Quran state this clearly.
And the Scriptures doesn't say that Jesus is the last one.

 

[jasonwill2]

Because Jesus and Yahweh did not answer when I cried out, and were not there when I needed them most. Then I discovered Satanism and tried it, and it answered back. Also Satanism syncs with me so much more and gives me freedom in my self-expression and doesn't say I'm a bad evil person since the day I was born and full of sin even though I can't help it and somehow that is still my fault. Satanism tells me that I am good and that I should love myself and that I should always try to become a better person not because I'm bad, but that I should become a better person because I'm a good person.

I was unaware that this thread was in Lolcat...

Apparently he recently was caught on LSD as he said on another topic... perhaps he is just now coming off of it and his mind is not very focused?

No. No, no, no, no, no! You, of all people, should NOT have the right to use the "house built on sand" metaphor! No!

Unless the house is made of heavy stone, building a house on rock doesnt really work. Most houses are placed on dirt with a foundation. If its on a rock its more like just sitting there, not dug in at all. Also if you can build a house in sand, just dig down until you hit harder soil and then make your foundation there. Under all soil and sand is a hard bedrock.

I was Christian for a long time, Until I could no longer stop my desire for knowledge. I read the Satanic Bible. My father was abusive toward my mother, and both of them were abusive toward me. They both claim to be Christian. I was hit hard by Christians....I won't step into a Church without the feeling of joy that I was intelligent enough to escape.

I've had somewhat similar experiences.

 

[Orias]

I'm not Christian because I don't want to represent a bunch of useless slobs that believe prayer is a worthy substitute for action(not saying that all do ).

I have a hard enough time representing Satanic influence when everyone assumes I'm doing it for my fellow Satanists or because I'm trying to be "cool".

If me being Satanic is because I'm immature, attention seeking, and mislead then how is a person being Christian because they want to belong to a group bigger than themselves any different?

I'm not a Christian, because I follow God and not some man that proclaimed to be a "son" of, because the true story is that we are all sons and daughters of the unknowable.

Most importantly, I'm not Christian because I am Satanic, oppositional towards any and all ideas that attempt to reconstruct my inner nemesis.

Much like Jason described, empty Gods and husk like followers could not answer my questions. From this surface, I sought that which could at least attempt to describe the beauty of our nature, and I found me.

Best regards and Xeper

 

[roberto]

The .....the Scriptures doesn't say that J_sus is the last one.

Tyndale :
Rev 1:11 sayinge: I am Alpha and Omega the fyrst and the laste. That thou seist write in a boke and sende it vnto the congregacions which are in Asia vnto Ephesus and vnto Smyrna and vnto Pargamos and vnto Thiatira and vnto Sardis and vnto Philadelphia and vnto Laodicia.
Rev 1:12 And I turned backe to se the voyce that spake to me. And when I was turned: I sawe .vii golde candelstyckes
Rev 1:13 and in the myddes of the cadelstyckes one lyke vnto ye sone of ma clothed with a lynnen garmet doune to the ground and gyrd aboute the pappes with a golden gyrdle

 

[Pastek]

Tyndale :
Rev 1:11 sayinge: I am Alpha and Omega the fyrst and the laste. That thou seist write in a boke and sende it vnto the congregacions which are in Asia vnto Ephesus and vnto Smyrna and vnto Pargamos and vnto Thiatira and vnto Sardis and vnto Philadelphia and vnto Laodicia.
Rev 1:12 And I turned backe to se the voyce that spake to me. And when I was turned: I sawe .vii golde candelstyckes
Rev 1:13 and in the myddes of the cadelstyckes one lyke vnto ye sone of ma clothed with a lynnen garmet doune to the ground and gyrd aboute the pappes with a golden gyrdle

It's the Book of Revelation which supposed to be a dream or something like that.

If it's really true (which i don't know), maybe when he says that he is the last , it means when he will come back.
But how can he be the "Omega" ? What does that mean ?

If it means he's God, of course I don't believe it.
If he means he is the first prophet, we know it's not true. In Islam it's supposed to be Adam.
Bringin the Book of Apocalyps it's like bringin the Books of Paul. Meaning you can find everything in it without knowing which is true or not.