The Christians faith is in Him and His words of truth, which were given to us
by many prophets and disciples, of whom Paul was just one.
I allege that you are confused, sir. The Christians are not disciples of Christ. The Christians are disciples of Paul and the human written gospels. Paul's teachings were the basis of the Catholic and Protestant churches. And I can historically show you that there were more factions in Paul's day than there are now, although the period of enlightenment has split the church up rather nicely. The Roman Catholic church was able to stamp out factionalism among Christians.
You asked what brings me here. I find it funny that you deem it to somehow matter. Let it be known that I am here to play devil's advocate, as so many philosophers (or wannabes, in my case) do. In doing so, you may feel your faith get stronger or weaker, perhaps your faith won't be affected at all. But I will attempt to show you that your faith is just another belief in the realm of beliefs.
You may ask why I'm doing this. Simple. Throughout the ages, even in the time of Ancient Greece, calculated logic has been at odds with religion. Thucydides felt that piety was a detriment to the city, and showed how it was through his accounts of Alcibiades and Nicias (The Peloponnesean War). I find his argument to be compelling, and I allege that fanaticism is the most dangerous activity one can engage in.
Religion, especially Christianity, is a righteous vehicle for fanaticism to gain speed. I needn't show you historical facts. I'm sure you can derive them.
Then, you may ask, what purpose does Christianity serve? Well, I can show you that for the monarchy of the European countries throughout the middle ages, it served a great purpose. It kept the commoners in check from starting a desperately needed revolution. I can also show you that it is the reason for the start of many bloody wars. I can show you that it although it promotes love within groups of people, it stems hatred from and for others. I can show you that it causes factions within a liberal democratic society that slows both political and economic growth.
But none of that matters to you, does it? You hinge your belief on a translation of a translation of a translation of a translation of a book written by fallible humans that we don't even have original copies of anymore.
It's amazing how those who wrote the Bible were able to quote God in the Old Testament, and later, quote Jesus in the New Testament, isn't it? I ask you, shalom, did you know that almost all ancient writers never quoted word for word? Did you also know that almost all of them made up quotes in order to get a point across?
I suggest a new religion: perception. Base your belief on suppositions that you can prove, not that you take for granted.
BTW, I am not an atheist. I can't prove that atheism is right because it is just another belief. I would present the same argument to an atheist. But I am suggesting to you, shalom, that Christianity clogs the mind and stops it from proving things to be true/false.
Why accept that which you cannot prove?
Again, shalom, I don't know what is right in religion. But I can make educated guesses as to what is wrong. |
