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Author Topic:   Choosing to believe
Chiroptera
Inactive Member


Message 3 of 90 (393139)
04-03-2007 4:42 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Woodsy
03-30-2007 1:57 PM


The problem for Christians is that they can't believe that a good and just god would just dump people in Hell for something that isn't under their control. So they believe (and must believe if they want to keep their Christian theology consistent with their 21st century Enlightenment moral beliefs) that atheists really, secretly, do believe that God exists, but deliberately pretend that they don't believe so they can continue to live their debauched lives.
Calvinists are a bit less illogical. They don't think that there is any choice whatsoever on the part of the person. All people are damned and deserve to go to Hell, but God, for whatever reason he has, has decided that a few will be saved. The few that will be saved will be moved by the Holy Spirit (and this will be irresistable) to become saved.

Actually, if their god makes better pancakes, I'm totally switching sides. -- Charley the Australopithecine

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Woodsy, posted 03-30-2007 1:57 PM Woodsy has not replied

  
Chiroptera
Inactive Member


Message 8 of 90 (393154)
04-03-2007 5:22 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by Dr Adequate
04-03-2007 5:03 PM


It might be possible for some people to choose what to believe. More to the point, maybe it is possible for some people to choose to believe in god or not. I would hate to rule something like this impossible just because I can't imagine it.

Actually, if their god makes better pancakes, I'm totally switching sides. -- Charley the Australopithecine

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-03-2007 5:03 PM Dr Adequate has not replied

  
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