Challenge to Atheists, Agnostics and those who want to believe but cannot

[yerazhishda]

I posed this challenge in the "Biblical Literalism" thread, but I suppose I should start a new thread.

My challenge is short and simple. Read the Sermon on the Mount (that's Matthew Chapters 5-7). If you find that you cannot or don't want to read that much, simply read Chapter 5 or even just 5:1-12.

However, I want to add a few 'rules' so to say:

1. Dispense of all biases towards the text, whether they be of atheist, Christian or another world-view.
2. Read the text carefully. If you've read it before, try to notice words or phrases that you didn't notice before.
3. Use a modern English translation (easily found online). NKJV and RSV are two extremely good ones. Do not read KJV as it is not easily understood by modern speakers of English.
4. Post your thoughts, criticisms or other ideas after reading.

Maybe we can begin some sort of dialogue after a few people have posted.

-yeraz

[Armat]

Re: Challenge to Atheists, Agnostics and those who want to believe but cannot

I posed this challenge in the "Biblical Literalism" thread, but I suppose I should start a new thread.

My challenge is short and simple. Read the Sermon on the Mount (that's Matthew Chapters 5-7). If you find that you cannot or don't want to read that much, simply read Chapter 5 or even just 5:1-12.

However, I want to add a few 'rules' so to say:

1. Dispense of all biases towards the text, whether they be of atheist, Christian or another world-view.
2. Read the text carefully. If you've read it before, try to notice words or phrases that you didn't notice before.
3. Use a modern English translation (easily found online). NKJV and RSV are two extremely good ones. Do not read KJV as it is not easily understood by modern speakers of English.
4. Post your thoughts, criticisms or other ideas after reading.

Maybe we can begin some sort of dialogue after a few people have posted.

-yeraz

Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Sadly Armenian nation suffered greatly from these kinds of aphorisms.If God created everyone equally then one should defend,kill ,to protect
from Turks, Mongols ,Romans etc.In short to be passive sheep is the biggest insult to God.
Its basically suicidal doctrine.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Challenge to Atheists, Agnostics and those who want to believe but cannot

“Ann Druyan suggests an experiment: Look back again at the pale blue dot [Earth seen from the far end of our solar system] of the preceding chapter. Take a good long look at it. Stare at the dot for any length of time and then try to convince yourself that God created the whole Universe for one of the 10 million or so species of life that inhabit that speck of dust. Now take it a step further: Imagine that everything was made just for a single shade of that species, or gender, or ethnic or religious subdivision. If this doesn’t strike you as unlikely, pick another dot. Imagine it to be inhabited by a different form of intelligent life. They, too, cherish the notion of a God who has created everything for their benefit. How seriously do you take their claim?”
― Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space