To: js1138
Again, that requires belief in witnesses. And disbelief in all the witnesses for all the other religions in the world. As for the story of Jesus, I believe the music, but not the words. I'm quite willing to be led by his example because I feel in my heart that that's the right thing, but I anticipate no reward.1. The tomb was empty.
2. Disciples changed their behavior radically from cowards hiding out in fear for their lives to roaring lions of faith, all of whom died horrible deaths for Christ, never having renounced belief in His resurrection.
3. Change in day of worship for Jews from Saturday to Sunday traceable back to 30 A.D.
4. Millions of Christians over the millenia testify to the power of the risen Christ who changed their lives.
These are just some of the high points with which God commands you to rethink your position.
To: music_code
I've said what I said. I reveal my beliefs because I want no misunderstandings about my motives for posting my thoughts. But I do not want to have a discussion on the truth of religion on this thread.
Every religion makes claims about history. Some of them are untrue. I count myself as one whose life has been changed by the story of Jesus. I just don't believe that all of the story is literally true. There is quite a difference in my mind between accepting the truth of moral statements and accepting assertions about history.
As for the state of my soul, I am not particularly impressed by people whose moral behavior is regimented by carrot and stick. I suppose psychopaths and people born without the capacity for empathy need an outside force, but I have empathizing with such people. ;^)
To: js1138; SwordofTruth; Alamo-Girl; f.Christian; exmarine; scripter; Heartlander; betty boop; ...
LORD, LIAR OR LUNATIC?
"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either [Jesus] was, and is, the Son of God [Immanuel, God with us], or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool...or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
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