What is your Religious position?

**rjt** · 29-01-2012, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Richard Hitchens

Do you believe that if you were brought up in India you would probably have become a Hindu rather than a Christian, or do you think that you would have 'found Christianity'?

I can accept that you might feel some spiritual sensation which you could interpret as a god. Of course, that is not something which can be proven or disproven. However, I find it strange that you can go from having this spiritual feeling to being a Christian. Is this feeling of a presence a uniquely Christian one, and if so what characteristics of it make it so? Do you accept that Muslims might have the same feeling but interpret it as Allah because that is how they were brought up as a child?

I personally do not have this feeling. I believe in the natural world and natural scientific explanations, rather than the writings of middle eastern tribesmen. However, as a Christian I assume that you believe that what the bible says without evidence, and even in the face of evidence against it? Would that be an accurate assumption? Do you believe that I am a sinner for not sharing your faith, and that I will and should be punished for it?

I think without doubt culture plays a part in the early days so it is quite likely if I were brought up in India that I could have been of another denomination but of course people do convert, are of no faith to start with or indeed lose faith.

I cant really comment to much on other peoples faith, the relationship I feel with God is like it is for Christians, a unique experience.

As for the Bible and evidence like most religious texts of course there are aspects of it that are alegorical.

As for you being a sinner, well thats one of the great things about the Christian faith for me we are all equal if you are a sinner so am I.

**Richard Hitchens** · 29-01-2012, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Bevois

I ticked the Christianity box but I don't really like the term, even though I use it a lot as its useful in dialogue with people who have little knowledge of religion. My worldview is that there is the Catholic Church and its enemies. Many of the Catholic Church's enemies are modern, liberal Catholics who hold high office in the Church.

Why do you believe that the views and teachings of the Catholic Church are true, and all other world views are false? On what evidence do you base this?

**Richard Hitchens** · 29-01-2012, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Northumbrian

I visited an abbey yesterday and I was flicking through a bible. It occurred to me that I'd never read one properly so maybe I should give it go. I'm sure there's plenty of entertaining stories with loads of violence in them.
Also, in the abbey there was a display of model angels, and this led me to two observations:

1. Anyone who thinks the Bible is the literal truth is barkin' mad.
2. The stories in the Bible are metaphors and parables serving as a guide on how to behave and to live your life. They are not meant to be true.

I would fully agree with number 1.

As for number 2, I would say that the metaphor theory is too often used to cover up the fact that the stories have been disproved as historically accurate. They used to be taught as literal fact, and only very recently have some Christians begun to use this excuse to try and match their book to the modern scientific evidence.

**Robin** · 29-01-2012, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Northumbrian

I visited an abbey yesterday and I was flicking through a bible. It occurred to me that I'd never read one properly so maybe I should give it go. I'm sure there's plenty of entertaining stories with loads of violence in them.

I dont want to spoil a good read but the main bloke in it dies in the end .

**Richard Hitchens** · 29-01-2012, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by rjt

As for you being a sinner, well thats one of the great things about the Christian faith for me we are all equal if you are a sinner so am I.

Although I assume that you believe you will be rewarded after death and I will be punished, and that this applies even if I spend my whole life being good and moral?

**Northumbrian** · 29-01-2012, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Robin

I dont want to spoil a good read but the main bloke in it dies in the end .

Who? Moses? The part before Jesus is 900 pages long, and the part concerning him is just over 200. Bit of an imbalance....

**Northumbrian** · 29-01-2012, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Richard Hitchens

As for number 2, I would say that the metaphor theory is too often used to cover up the fact that the stories have been disproved as historically accurate. They used to be taught as literal fact, and only very recently have some Christians begun to use this excuse to try and match their book to the modern scientific evidence.

What, like parting the Red Sea, or destroying city walls with the noise of trumpets, or someone living to over 900? Just a little unlikely....

When as I child I heard the story of Methusela living to over 900, I thought 'That's ridiculous!'

**Robin** · 29-01-2012, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Northumbrian

Who? Moses? The part before Jesus is 900 pages long, and the part concerning him is just over 200. Bit of an imbalance....

the New testament bit .
Theres some good bits about burning people . we ought to do more of that .

**Richard Hitchens** · 29-01-2012, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Northumbrian

What, like parting the Red Sea, or destroying city walls with the noise of trumpets, or someone living to over 900? Just a little unlikely....

When as I child I heard the story of Methusela living to over 900, I thought 'That's ridiculous!'

Don't forget, for many years the holy book was not allowed to be read directly by the believers. They had to take the word of their priests as fact. In addition, many were brainwashed from birth to believe in this faith, and were indeed punished if they seemed to oppose it in any way. It is only relatively recently that people have been able to freely read and study the bible and notice the obvious lies and inconsistencies.

Did you also find the idea of Santa Claus ridiculous as a child?
As a child in the past you would not have been allowed to doubt. Y