Robert E. Van Voorst has stated that biblical scholars and historians regard the Jesus never existed thesis as "effectively refuted".
Graham N. Stanton writes, "Today nearly all historians, whether Christians or not, accept that Jesus existed and that the gospels contain plenty of valuable evidence which has to be weighed and assessed critically.
Robert E. Van Voorst has stated...Graham N. Stanton writes...James Charlesworth writes...Michael Grant believes...
Yes, that can be one of the problems with christianity....overrun by interest groups pushing ill-disguised agendas.
I would go as far as to say that consumerism has engulfed Christianity more than any other sector of society. I find it hard to believe this is what any god would have in mind for his church.
Paying for 'indulgences' has a long history.
Theological Consumerism is not a new thing, as highlighted by Grim's droll post
I can appreciate what you guys are saying.But this goes beyond paying for indulgences.For example, one of the things that bugs me most about my church is this: week after week we are reminded of the financial needs of the church itself and an opportunity is given to donate to the church during an 'offering'; more than that, preachers talk about how generosity is good and how giving God command of our finances is something we have to do, since money is one of the main things that can cause us to be selfish and inward people (or as rap group NASA sing, "Money / Money / Money / Money / Money / Money / Money is the root of all evil").Here's where it gets screwed up, because after training the congregation to think the generosity is required of them and that giving to "God's good work" is the best way to spend a buck or two, that same church produces CDs of the preachers messages to sell after the service; they invite WorldVision and other charities to setup a table at the back and ask for help, and sometimes even address the people; they setup mini book and music shops in their churches, usually at their information or reception areas; they invite businesses to lineup with them for events, giving them a place to advertise and sell their goods and services ... and so on.Now, I'm under no illusions in terms of the "brainwashing" ability of the church - so knowing that, how is this behaviour of suggesting that "generosity and giving are good", then giving people an opportunity to do just that good? And what kind of blame can be put on these people that are knowingly preying on a group of people who've just been convinced that generosity and giving are good?The shepherd is protecting the herd, but leaving the gate open for the wolf ... metaphorically speaking.
Absolutely nothing, there are still starving people over there and with the world growing larger and resources starting to dry up they will continue to starve.
70 years and whats changed? Absolutely nothing, there are still starving people over there and with the world growing larger and resources starting to dry up they will continue to starve. At some stage we just have to accept that they cant be saved. It's the survival of the fittest after all.
But over the last 100 they're suddenly full of dying children, mostly due to a massive population explosion, probably caused by interference from first world countries trying to exploit their resources.
But turning it around, why do you think you mean so little that it wasn't?Is your opinion of yourself that low?
in the greater scheme of things yes. as a person though i regard myself very highly especially with all the stupid people around (im sure you know to whom i refer)
Also, to imply that people who do not believe the universe was created solely for us of having low opinion of themselves is fucking ridiculous. Seriously.
That was not my intention at all - my apologies.That said, regardless of the creation of the universe, religious beliefs (of any kind) do seem to instill in their believers a certain sense of purpose or meaning to life. Without purpose, life can seem futile.
The entire point of that idea is that statistically we do mean that little. Seriously.
Depends.If we are the only life in the universe, then statistically we are very important, even maybe the most important thing in the universe.If there is other life out there, we still don't know.Was the universe created for us? Who knows, but as far as we know we are the only ones here to observe it.A universe with no observers means nothing at all, which is fine, it doesn't have to mean anything. Bur humans are creatures who comprehend meaning, so it is important to us.
A universe with no observers means nothing at all, which is fine, it doesn't have to mean anything. But humans are creatures who comprehend meaning, so it is important to us.
