2 Ques for 1inChrist

[SkepticalScience]

Hi 1inChrist -

I know we haven't ever really talked one on one in any discussion, but I've read a lot of your threads.

You religiosity reminds me of a few people I know, that I have always wanted to question - but felt uncomfortable in doing so.

My Questions for you are:

1. Do you think you are an "open minded" person?
2. What is your definition of "open minded"?
3. Hypothetically speaking, is there anything that could cause you to not believe in your religion anymore? For instance - if when you died, you got reincarnated into a worm - would you stop being Christian then? Or if there was a time machine that showed that Jesus didn't rise from the dead, and that His stories were merely fictional byproducts of the culture back then, would you stop believing then?

Thanks a lot!
SS

[phildonnia]

In other terms, we might ask: "Is the God hypothesis falsifiable?"

[The Cats Venm]

That's 3 questions...

[phildonnia]

Cats Venm wins this argument. Good job, mate.

[jimmygun]

Skeptical Science...I have a feeling that IinC may not wish to answer your questions so if I may be allowed, may I try to answer them in the way that I was answered once while asking essentially the same questions of a religious friend of mine....

"1. Do you think you are an "open minded" person?
2. What is your definition of "open minded"?
3. Hypothetically speaking, is there anything that could cause you to not believe in your religion anymore? For instance - if when you died, you got reincarnated into a worm - would you stop being Christian then? Or if there was a time machine that showed that Jesus didn't rise from the dead, and that His stories were merely fictional byproducts of the culture back then, would you stop believing then?"

1. Shut up!
2. Shut up!
3. I'm not going to dignify that with a response so shut up!

I hope that helps.

[Stitch]

Originally posted by jimmygun
Skeptical Science...I have a feeling that IinC may not wish to answer your questions so if I may be allowed, may I try to answer them in the way that I was answered once while asking essentially the same questions of a religious friend of mine....

"1. Do you think you are an "open minded" person?
2. What is your definition of "open minded"?
3. Hypothetically speaking, is there anything that could cause you to not believe in your religion anymore? For instance - if when you died, you got reincarnated into a worm - would you stop being Christian then? Or if there was a time machine that showed that Jesus didn't rise from the dead, and that His stories were merely fictional byproducts of the culture back then, would you stop believing then?"

1. Shut up!
2. Shut up!
3. I'm not going to dignify that with a response so shut up!

I hope that helps.

I think that's a little harsh, from my experience:
1. Yes
2. Some body who has opened their mind and heart and accepted christ as their saviour.
3. Reincarnation is false and Jesus did rise from the dead, god told me, any time machine that showed otherwise would be a false time machine sent by satan to test me.

Having said all that, I think the second part of my sig sums it up quite well also :D

[1inChrist]

SkepticalScience:

Do you think you are an "open minded" person?

I have an open heart.

What is your definition of "open minded"?

Expanding your spiritual horizons.

Hypothetically speaking, is there anything that could cause you to not believe in your religion anymore?

No.

For instance - if when you died, you got reincarnated into
a worm - would you stop being Christian then?

No because how do I know it's not a trick from Satan?

Or if there was a time machine that showed that Jesus didn't rise from the dead, and that His stories were merely fictional byproducts of the culture back then, would you stop believing then?

No because how do I know it's not a trick from Satan?

[jimmygun]

Finally I have you alone 1 in Christ! Will you answer a question for me?

If you go to heaven and god changes you so you no longer can care about the loved ones you know are burning in a pit of sulfur, is it really you going to heaven or is it a ringer?

[kuroyume0161]

1inC, how do you determine what is 'a trick from Satan' and what is not?

From this slovenly idiot who couldn't beat you on the KJV - well, it wasn't worth the effort ;) - how is your method any different from the one used by the Puritans of Salem (sic) Massachusetts to try and execute suspected witches in 1692? Or the Grand Inquisition of the RCC?

[1inChrist]

Originally posted by jimmygun
Finally I have you alone 1 in Christ! Will you answer a question for me?

If you go to heaven and god changes you so you no longer can care about the loved ones you know are burning in a pit of sulfur, is it really you going to heaven or is it a ringer?

Once I am in Heaven I will enjoy my eternity in Heaven too much to care about the people in Hell. They chose to their destiny.

[TragicMonkey]

Originally posted by 1inChrist
Once I am in Heaven I will enjoy my eternity in Heaven too much to care about the people in Hell. They chose to their destiny.

Then compassion is not a virtue? Funny, could have sworn Christianity did a lot of press work for mercy, forgiveness, charity, and brotherly love.

Or, is it okay to ditch all the virtues once you're in heaven?

[crimresearch]

Originally posted by 1inChrist
Once I am in Heaven I will enjoy my eternity in Heaven too much to care about the people in Hell. They chose to their destiny.

No, you chose for them, when you knew where they could find the pastor who preached the True Word of God, and refused to tell them how they could go there and be saved...So you didn't care about them when they were alive either.

By your own standards, you are doing Satan's work for him, keeping people who want to be saved from their salvation.

[jimmygun]

Doesn't Christ demand that you love your neighbour? Is that demand lifted when "you" get to heaven?

Again, if you care about loved ones here on earth you will have to change from a caring person to a non-caring person in heaven. I put it to you that that means you are not going to heaven but a ringer will be sent in your stead.

If all things are made known in heaven then you will know every minute detail of everyone in hell's torture. You will either have to care or not care. If you don't care now (which I strongly suspect) then maybe you will not change. If you do care, even an iota, then you will have to sacrifice that part of you. What else will be sacrificed? Your will, your freedom of choice? Your ability to love others? Will you become a mindless droid only able to feel what you are programmed to feel? Where is the reward in that?

If I own a wheelbarrow and replace all the parts with rental parts then I do not own the wheelbarrow anymore, nor is it the same wheelbarrow.

I pity you.

[phildonnia]

Originally posted by 1inChrist
No because how do I know it's not a trick from Satan?

The God hypotheis is apparently not falsifiable.

1ic wins, by argumentum ad zabulus.

[SkepticalScience]

Thanks for answering 1inChrist.

Say for the sake of argument, when you die - you don't end up meeting Christ. Say you meet Mohammed.

What would you do?

[pgwenthold]

Originally posted by 1inChrist
No because how do I know it's not a trick from Satan?

How do you know that the whole bible isn't just a trick from Satan? Considering how bizarre some of the stuff in it is, it makes it seem like a stretch to claim that it was inspired by some omnipotent being.

In fact, how do you even know that the being you call "god" is actually god and not just a powerful deceiver? I have always said, if _I_ were Satan, the first thing I would do would be to convince everyone that I am God. How do you know you haven't fallen for the big deception?

[Stitch]

Originally posted by SkepticalScience
Thanks for answering 1inChrist.

Say for the sake of argument, when you die - you don't end up meeting Christ. Say you meet Mohammed.

What would you do?

I'd say "Wow - guess I was wrong after all"

I expect 1inC would either say:
1) It can't happen, Mohammed is false
2) It is Satan testing my faith

[alfaniner]

Originally posted by 1inChrist
Once I am in Heaven I will enjoy my eternity in Heaven too much to care about the people in Hell. They chose to their destiny.

This whole basic philosophy sounds incredibly selfish to me.