There is little that differentiates the Muslim religion from the Christian religion, or any religion for that matter: at the heart of all religion is an assumption of “perfect knowledge” and “divinely-inspired truth”. As this truth cannot be tested or proven, all religions are just as probable as the next. Therefore, what really matters are the principles of a religion, and how close they conform to other religions’ principles. The assumption is that all religious teaching could be boiled down to the most commonly-accepted ideas and principles, they could be distilled through secular moral codes and legal principles, and we could come to a “close-enough” set of what are most likely the “best practices” set of ideas that everyone should follow with the idea being that all the religions can’t be wrong (there has to be some purpose to life). Outside of these principles, religions might as well throw out their ceremony, doctrine, dogma, and codes in favor of a more spiritual and personal connection with “God” and a few, well-worn principles with which to live by.
Questions for thought:
1) What makes the Christian religion different than other religions?
2) Why should Christians believe "their" absolute Truth over another religions' absolute Truth?
3) What does our belief provide us, on a practical level (if anything)?
4) Is there an argument that Christianity is much more valid than other religions (based on historical record, pragmatic efficiency, quality of principles, etc.)?
5) If an alien landed on the Earth, how would you convince it that Christianity was the Truth?
6) What is the purpose of religious ceremony?
7) Are the things that separate Presbyterian teachings from other Christian teachings that important? If some are, which ones, and why?
8) If a Moslem follows the tenets of Islam as best he/she can, do you think they will get to "heaven"? Is that something humans should even debate/talk about? Does it matter what we think?
9) If you had to imagine a "higher" purpose for our existence (why we are here on this planet) that had nothing to do with our religion, what would it be? Does religion "only" attempt to answer "the why" of it all (our purpose)? What do you say to those who argue for a "purposeless existence?
10) Is it really possible to gauge the essence of God through reading The Bible? Outside of The Bible, what other things can we use to investigate God, our religion, and our purpose on this Earth (if anything)?
Welcome to The Red Cell!
If this is your first visit here, please take a moment to peruse the posts and comments. Try to see things from the vantage point of someone who does not know God.
The "Red Cell Thoughts" are not to be taken as a position of this blog- they are meant to stir thought. Please feel free to post other thoughts, questions, and possible answers. All posts are anonymous, but feel free to provide your name if you so desire. The Red Cell facilitators reserve the right to edit comments that are rude or offensive. Having said that, a little bit of offensiveness may be allowed- because if we offend no-one, then we might not be working hard enough! Remember, the Christian religion was founded on questioning the prevailing wisdom of the day and the Protestant Reformation continued that tradition. Don't be afraid to question all your assumptions.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
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OK...I'll go first by taking a shot at #7. I don't think Presbyterian specific teachings are as important as Christian teachings. I think the essential thing is to teach that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins. Presbyterians (PCUSA) have not cornered this market, and in some ways have given up their stall in the market, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteI would tend to agree. I wonder- when we say that the "essential thing to teach..., etc."- is there an underlying reason for why belief in Jesus is more important in the big scheme of things? I ask that and usually get the Presbyterian response that "works don't matter", but I am wondering why works don't matter- why is that an important principle? I wonder if there is a reasonable argument Christians could make as to why that principle is so important.
ReplyDeleteIn other words- if it is simply because that's what we believe- then okay. But if there is a reason behind it, then it could make the case more strong in my naive, ignorant opinion.
Apology to yak-attack, apparently we had this on a setting wherein we had to authorize posts prior to them getting posted. Didn't know that- sorry!
ReplyDeleteA friend recommended "The Shack" book (http://theshackbook.com/). Never heard of it, but it looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteHint on the poll: it could be more than one answer!
ReplyDelete