Theological Discussion

Originally Posted by Fjorder

There are many references in Isaiah to "the morning star" that had fallen, and taken 1/3 of the heavens with it.

The 1/3 of the heavens is half a verse out of Revelation which is taken out of context in order to fit some kind of "pre-earth rebellion" timeline. Goes something like "and the dragon took a third of the stars of heaven with his tail" or some shit. But it's stuffed inbetween a bunch of other imagery that "isn't" connected with a pre-earth rebellion of Satan. In other words, people don't know what the fuck it really means since it was most likely a political reference that made sense to the people who it was written to at the time mystical prophecy.

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But, I mean, it seems like Satan himself can hardly compete, you know? He only has one BIG flaw - he's proud. Or so you guys are telling me? I mean, does he have more faults?

Actually Sass, there's an interesting theory on Satan within the Jewish Kabbalah. According to one theory, when this world is over we're all going to be absorbed back into God as "one" being. We'll lose anything that defines us as a unique being, but be part of the awesomesuperduperness that is God. Satan didn't like this. He was like hey, I like being me, I want to stay an individual instead of being sucked back into the big black Holy hole that is God. This is why he was such a draw for so many souls; Satan offered a rebellion for individuality. This theology goes on to say that the reason we exist is to experience life for God, then He'll absorb us back in with our experiences. I even believe there's a few verses in the Bible that talk about us all becoming one with God when we die (but of course, there will be debate as to the meaning). I find the whole idea of this really interesting, and one of the more plausible arguments for Satan other then "he's teh evil dood."

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Minion

I think Christianity is right, but that's not to say that every other religion is 100% wrong.

Well, if you believe that you MUST accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior to get into Heaven (which is a requirement to be considered officially Christian), then yes, all other religions are 100% wrong, because they don't accept this.

How ya doing, buddy?

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No, they're only wrong in that one respect, necessarily. Unfortunately, that's the most important part. It's definitely not 100%, though.

Well, I'd consider it 100% since you go to Hell for not believing it. If you believe 90% of whatever else Christianity believes, it doesn't matter because you'll still go to hell, so why deal in percentages when there's such an absolute condition?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Minion

I think the fact that other religions have some things right just shows that God reveals things to everyone. He's trying to connect with everyone. I see Christianity as God's last effort to help people connect with him.

Last effort? It happened 2000 years ago, and it was His last effort? He seems to be giving up pretty damn early. And what's point of God revealing things to everyone if He then makes one of His religions completely exclusive, supposedly holding an absolute truth that no other religion has? Is it like He's teasing them with just enough truth so they keep their faith, only to find out they still go to Hell when they die since they weren't Christian?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

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This is why sacrifice is generally necessitated in atonement. Because we all deserve to die.

I like the more graphic version: Because God sees you mutilate an animal, spilling it's fresh blood upon the earth while the animal cries out in pain, He knows you are a faithful and true servant. Because otherwise, it might be unclear if you're faithful and true, and God better see something die by the end of the day, by George.

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We, the people of the world similarly should be put to death. However, instead, a sacrificial lamb is provided by God. This is representative of Jesus, who came to take our place in death.

You certainly have this fixation with needing to be put to death, which is what I find most bogus about Christianity. It's like one big guilt complex. People wouldn't believe in Christ if they weren't already convinced that they're worthless pieces of shit that deserve to die. It goes like this:

A) You were born into sin, therefore your life is worthless and you deserve to die regardless of how you live your life.

B) If you accept Jesus as your Savior and give your life over to Him, your soul is now everlasting.

You must believe A in order to go onto step B. This means Christianity can appeal only to those who feel they were born into sin and deserve to die regardless of their actions in life. In other words, Christianity's fundamental basis is rooted in the absolution of imaginary guilt (aka original sin). I've never felt this imaginary guilt, and I've never felt that anyone "should be put to death" simply because they were born. Christianity: claims that everyone deserves to die for no apparent reason while simultaneously claiming to be the most loving of Religions.

I was speaking idiomatically.