I am certain that Jesus will return (or more specifically that God will intervene in Human affairs in a particularly climactic way) because He has revealed as such in His word, the Holy Bible. I know that can sound like a kind of a cop-out to some folk, particularly as Mr Camping is also claiming divine revelations for his predictions, but it is true nonetheless. The simple fact is that Mr Camping's interpretation of the Bible is flawed (and yes, I know he probably claims the same about mine).
How is that different from Campings certainty that he will return on a given date except that his can be tested and yours can't?
People make all kinds of claims for divine inspiration, and this can be very challenging because, of course, it is an appeal to a higher authority than any Human institution, and therefore if you object you can be made to seem to be going against Divine will. This is a problem that is covered in the Bible with "Beware...by their fruits you shall know them", which is a poetic way of saying that the results of someone's actions give a good indication of how much they are in accord with divine will. I'm not talking here just about Mr Camping's chosen date being obviously wrong, but on the effects of his teaching on the misguided souls who follow him. Are they, as a result of his thinking, happier, holier more wholesome Human beings? OR are they poorer, because they did not expect to need material possessions and have disposed of them? Are they bitter because of that? Have they been so focused on readying themselves on the future that they have forgotten to live in the present?
The differences between Mr Camping and an orthodox Christian viewpoint may seem small but the consequences of those differences are enormous. Because I do not know the day and the hour I have to live each day as if it might very well be my last (and logically it might be - even an atheist would acknowledge that is true). I have to take every opportunity to better myself, to progress, to say a kind word to someone else, to encourage them, maybe even correct them, because I know I might not get another chance. And yes I know I will fail sometimes. Maybe most times - but Mr Camping's brand of certainty makes all that kind of activity superfluous. For example. Why should his followers get involved in the 2012 election? They don't believe 2012 will happen! All that Human creativity, all that promise, all that desire to see a better future - wasted! "Knowing" the future effectively means not caring about the future. His kind of certainty effectively says "stuff the rest of you".
So, your certainty is really kept alive by uncertainty, isn't it?
My certainty is kept alive by my faith. There wouldn't be much value in my faith if I never doubted, so I suppose in that sense you could say it is kept alive by uncertainty - but it's a very cynical interpretation. I prefer to think of it as "keeping an open mind and allowing my ideas and opinions to progress in the light of new evidence and understanding".
Okay, and why are you certain the Bible tells you the truth?
I know that can sound like a kind of a cop-out to some folk, particularly as Mr Camping is also claiming divine revelations for his predictions, but it is true nonetheless
Because you says so?
The simple fact is that Mr Camping's interpretation of the Bible is flawed (and yes, I know he probably claims the same about mine).
Well, then how do I know who's right?
People make all kinds of claims for divine inspiration
No kiddn'...
"Beware...by their fruits you shall know them", which is a poetic way of saying that the results of someone's actions give a good indication of how much they are in accord with divine will.
So, you know all that's true because it's in the Bible and the Bible is true because you know it is? Sounds a little circular.
I'm not talking here just about Mr Camping's chosen date being obviously wrong, but on the effects of his teaching on the misguided souls who follow him.
Okay, he could be wrong on one date, but what makes you think he is wrong on everything else?
Because I do not know the day and the hour I have to live each day as if it might very well be my last (and logically it might be - even an atheist would acknowledge that is true)
But that's just reality. You don;t know that because the Bible says so.
I have to take every opportunity to better myself, to progress, to say a kind word to someone else, to encourage them, maybe even correct them, because I know I might not get another chance.
Do you have to meet a quota? Is there a scorecard or a critical score that you have to reach for your "salvation"? Doesn't that mean that salvation is your doing?
And yes I know I will fail sometimes. Maybe most times - but Mr Camping's brand of certainty makes all that kind of activity superfluous. For example. Why should his followers get involved in the 2012 election? They don't believe 2012 will happen!
And what if they are right? Normally only 1/3 of all Americans vote. Does that mean we don't get a government? Do you think you not voting will have an impact on when the world shall end?
My certainty is kept alive by my faith. There wouldn't be much value in my faith if I never doubted
Why? You think gravity wold work better if we doubted it every now and then?
I suppose in that sense you could say it is kept alive by uncertainty - but it's a very cynical interpretation.
Oh I don't think it;s cynical at all!
I prefer to think of it as "keeping an open mind and allowing my ideas and opinions to progress in the light of new evidence and understanding"
But if you are certain why do you need new ideas?