Thread: Answer to my question from "gotquestions.com", what makes Christianity the true religion?

Christianity is true because it is the biggest religion on earth. It must be. Stop questioning things you don't understand!

Originally Posted by Korittke

Christianity is true because it is the biggest religion on earth. It must be. Stop questioning things you don't understand!

...jk?

The first two paragraphs are actually a neat atheist argument. Religions = ice creams. They come in lots of flavours, nobody really knows the right one, and you shouldn't take them from strangers.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

So i was sent this as an answer to my question about how i am supposed to know which religion is true? The problem is i wasn't really looking for his answer to contain mainly quotations from the Bible about how good it is. He talks about advertising and enticing and just does the same by offering me " eternal life", " deep relationship, and more ! lol

I suppose i wanted a little more on why the other religions were wrong, Muhammad is not the son of God anyway. I don't see why just because Jesus was resurrected, surely by God though, it doesn't make Christianity true...

Just out of curiosity, how would YOU define 'true religion'?

Originally Posted by Gramps

Just out of curiosity, how would YOU define 'true religion'?

Non-existent.

Originally Posted by lseadragon

The first two paragraphs are actually a neat atheist argument. Religions = ice creams. They come in lots of flavours, nobody really knows the right one, and you shouldn't take them from strangers.

Hehe yeah!

I like how they think the "eye witnesses" of 2000 years ago are credible.

Originally Posted by Gramps

Just out of curiosity, how would YOU define 'true religion'?

I have no idea, can you tell me? Why is Christian the true religion, rather then Hinduism?

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

I have no idea, can you tell me? Why is Christian the true religion, rather then Hinduism?

Thing is, if you ask a Christian what is the true religion, what's he going to tell you? Or if you ask a Hindu, what are they going to tell you?
Fact is, (from my point of view) all religions are just that, religions. A prescribed set of ritualistic actions designed to make one feel holy, or righteous, or good, or whatever.
The real question to ask, I think, is which one truly has an impact on one's life, presumably for the better? Which has real, tangible power?
And how will you come to know it? By listening to someone else? Or by learning about or experiencing the various ones? Or maybe just toss a coin, or forget the whole thing all together?
I can tell you which I believe to be the real one, but will it really matter? Will you accept my words as truth? I doubt it.
Or you can ask the athiests on here. They are more than willing to share their point of view. But who's to say they are right? Them of course, but you're back to the same problem.
Hey, maybe you could ask God, if there is one, to show you the answer! Couldn't hurt, right? If He's really there, do you think you could trust what He shows you? And if He's not real, then it really doesn't matter, does it?
But if He's real, and He answers you, what are you going to do? Hmmm. So many questions.

if i asked now to God, as sincerely and i could talk to thin air( as an animal i am confused by what i cant see, such as a God if it exists, especially if it talks) if he existed and maybe if he could point me to how he wishes me to live, would he actually answer? As in talk or at least talk in a dream, not just random signs which some may say was a sign and some may say was chance. I wouldn't want to be messed about, i'd want the clear truth.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

if i asked now to God, as sincerely and i could talk to thin air( as an animal i am confused by what i cant see, such as a God if it exists, especially if it talks) if he existed and maybe if he could point me to how he wishes me to live, would he actually answer? As in talk or at least talk in a dream, not just random signs which some may say was a sign and some may say was chance. I wouldn't want to be messed about, i'd want the clear truth.

I can only answer you from my own experience, so you'll have to decide for yourself whether to believe me or not.
From my experience, He does in fact speak clearly, sometimes, but not with audible words you hear with your ear. He is a spiritual being, and thus speaks to our spirit, through our thoughts. Sometimes that comes in dreams, sometimes in a 'vision' or 'daydream' kinda thing. Sometimes it's a little more obscure, as in with signs. Sometimes He speaks using others. Sometimes, He will speak something to you, and speak the same thing to others, who then tell you what they heard, and when two or three others tell you the same thing He told you, it confirms what He has said.
But in every single case that He has spoken to me, there has been no doubt in my mind.
And in every single case, what He has said has not contradicted His Word, but agreed with it.
That has not stopped me from doubting sometimes. Sometimes I want confirmation through others just to make sure I'm hearing right.
But He won't answer you if you are not sincerely seeking an answer. If you are just playing games, or 'testing the waters', He'll remain silent.
But what are you going to do if what He tells you is not what YOU want to hear? What if what He says is the truth is not what you want to believe is the truth? Think about these things before you ask.

but sreuly i cannot help but "test the water". I cannot see, hear, smell etc God. Ifi am told he exists, surely asking if he does to whatappear to me to be thin air, even if i ask it with genuine curiousity, it is still a test, that's the only way to describe it.

Just as if there was boiling hot water. You had never seen,touched etc boiling water. But i told you boiling water burnt ans caused pain if you touched it and you had to believe this with 100% of your being. Like anyone you would need to know this for yourself. You'd put your hand near the boiling water and feel it;s warmth, then maybe dip your finger in very fast, just to be sure it was true. It;s not that in a way you doubted everything you were told, you just needed your own personal encounter and conformation. So me asking God if he exists, is testing the water, there's no way around that. If he will not answer this kind of test, then the only thing i can do is believe what a certain group( Christians) say, without any personal evidence.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

but sreuly i cannot help but "test the water". I cannot see, hear, smell etc God. Ifi am told he exists, surely asking if he does to whatappear to me to be thin air, even if i ask it with genuine curiousity, it is still a test, that's the only way to describe it.

Well, yes, you are correct, as far as that goes. Perhaps 'testing the waters' didn't convey what I was trying to say. Let me try it again.
If you are just playing around and not sincere, He won't speak to you. It's a matter of what's truly in your heart. If you are being real, He'll reveal Himself to you. If you're just halfhearted about it, don't bother. If you are so sincere that if He shows you the way, you are already determined to follow His direction, He'll show you. I can't stress it enough. Sincerety and truth is key.
He probably won't answer you immediately. But show your sincerety to Him. Be consistant.

Originally Posted by Gramps

If you are so sincere that if He shows you the way, you are already determined to follow His direction, He'll show you. I can't stress it enough.

But isn't this the kicker? You have to be already determined to follow Jesus and believe in his power to talk to you or it won't happen. This is called the mind creating what it wants to see/hear/feel.

Like you were mentioning your personal experiences of Jesus and/or god talking to you. But you were already predisposed to believing that these experiences were coming from him. Basically you can always find in anything what it is you're already looking for. I could do the exact same thing as a Christian.

I'm not knocking your experiences, I'm just giving my take on it.

Originally Posted by Needcatscan

But isn't this the kicker? You have to be already determined to follow Jesus and believe in his power to talk to you or it won't happen. This is called the mind creating what it wants to see/hear/feel.

Like you were mentioning your personal experiences of Jesus and/or god talking to you. But you were already predisposed to believing that these experiences were coming from him. Basically you can always find in anything what it is you're already looking for. I could do the exact same thing as a Christian.

I'm not knocking your experiences, I'm just giving my take on it.

That's a good point, actually. But I didn't mention Jesus, did I? And how can a person believe in His power to talk, until they have heard His voice?
I did say be determined to follow God if He reveals Himself.
Of course, I believe Jesus is real, and that He is the truth. But I cannot convince anyone with my own words. That is between Him and the one sincerely seeking truth.
What you are suggesting is that it is possible these experiences are merely a creation of our own minds. And certainly, a person is able to do that. We can convince ourselves of just about anything. And when a person does that, those creations will cause him to experience those things he really desires in his heart.
But, when that 'voice' requires you to do things you would not do out of choice, and to stop doing things that you don't really want to stop doing, and gives you understanding of things that you could not understand in your wisdom, these are not self creations.
When He tells you to place your hand on someone and declare them healed, and you watch with your own eyes the swelling of a broken foot go down, and see that person stand up and dance on what was what obviously broken, what can you do but believe and accept it as truth?
Of course, my experiences are just that. Mine. And I cannot convince you or anyone that they are real. Don't need to actually. I assure you, the person who's foot was healed believes.
I know a man who was a Native American shaman. (He still is Native American) He was very familiar with the spirit realm, and among his people, he weilded alot of power. He understood how to communicate with his 'spirit helpers' and how to request things of them. He understood how to bring about sickness on his enemies, and how to cause chaos among those white men and their Jesus road and black book.
But he had an encounter that he was neither predisposed to believe nor searching after. He was content with the beliefs and powers he already had. But he ran into a Power he was not prepared for, and One that was so much greater than any of his 'helpers' that they ran in fear.
So, while what you say is true, it is not always the case. There is the preconcieved, self-dillusioned creations of the human mind, but there is also the real Creator and real experiences that are entirely outside our scope of understanding and desire.

Originally Posted by Gramps

That's a good point, actually. But I didn't mention Jesus, did I? And how can a person believe in His power to talk, until they have heard His voice?
I did say be determined to follow God if He reveals Himself.
Of course, I believe Jesus is real, and that He is the truth. But I cannot convince anyone with my own words. That is between Him and the one sincerely seeking truth.
What you are suggesting is that it is possible these experiences are merely a creation of our own minds. And certainly, a person is able to do that. We can convince ourselves of just about anything. And when a person does that, those creations will cause him to experience those things he really desires in his heart.
But, when that 'voice' requires you to do things you would not do out of choice, and to stop doing things that you don't really want to stop doing, and gives you understanding of things that you could not understand in your wisdom, these are not self creations.
When He tells you to place your hand on someone and declare them healed, and you watch with your own eyes the swelling of a broken foot go down, and see that person stand up and dance on what was what obviously broken, what can you do but believe and accept it as truth?
Of course, my experiences are just that. Mine. And I cannot convince you or anyone that they are real. Don't need to actually. I assure you, the person who's foot was healed believes.
I know a man who was a Native American shaman. (He still is Native American) He was very familiar with the spirit realm, and among his people, he weilded alot of power. He understood how to communicate with his 'spirit helpers' and how to request things of them. He understood how to bring about sickness on his enemies, and how to cause chaos among those white men and their Jesus road and black book.
But he had an encounter that he was neither predisposed to believe nor searching after. He was content with the beliefs and powers he already had. But he ran into a Power he was not prepared for, and One that was so much greater than any of his 'helpers' that they ran in fear.
So, while what you say is true, it is not always the case. There is the preconcieved, self-dillusioned creations of the human mind, but there is also the real Creator and real experiences that are entirely outside our scope of understanding and desire.

Good reply, it's always nice to have a discussion with a lucid, intelligent person (*cough*unlike *couch* psych Student *cough*). J/k Psych

Was this healing something you performed on a friend? If so then I would consider that strong evidence for a supernatural occurrence. On the other hand if you were told by a friend and he was told by a friend, etc. Then I would consider it completely dismissible. If it WAS your experience could you maybe go into more detail about it?

Now you mention the shaman who wielded power among his people. This, also, I struggle mentally with because I have heard many different stories from what I would consider reliable sources about supernatural occurrences. Being a rational atheist I really don't believe in the supernatural at all, but as they pile up my doubt is slowly increasing.

But who says these occurrences come from the Judeo-Christian god? If these shamans truly did wield power and you (or your friend) honestly healed someone's foot then these are suggestive of some form of mystic power, not that the bible is true. I would argue that they were evidence against the Judeo-Christian god, because you have this ability and shamans have abilities but innocent starving dying children don't. Why would god heal a foot and put curses on enemies but not save innocent children?

Originally Posted by Needcatscan

Was this healing something you performed on a friend? If so then I would consider that strong evidence for a supernatural occurrence. On the other hand if you were told by a friend and he was told by a friend, etc. Then I would consider it completely dismissible. If it WAS your experience could you maybe go into more detail about it?

Yes, see below.

Now you mention the shaman who wielded power among his people. This, also, I struggle mentally with because I have heard many different stories from what I would consider reliable sources about supernatural occurrences. Being a rational atheist I really don't believe in the supernatural at all, but as they pile up my doubt is slowly increasing.[/quqote]The shaman's story was his, I wasn't there and cannot verify it. But he was clearly convinced enough to set aside shamanism and become a Christian. Alot of his 'power' over his people was simply his ability to instill fear in them. A people in fear is a people controlled. But as for his 'spirit helpers', I can only take his word for it. I've never seen his spirit helpers. They clearly were not form the Judeo-Christian God, however, as they were assisting in his fight against the Christian God.

Why would god heal a foot and put curses on enemies but not save innocent children?

He does save innocent children. But not necessarily in the way you are thinking. Some He provides food for. Some He simply brings home to Him. Either way, they get what they need. Of course, I understand your position, and know that's not acceptable to you, because you view this life as all there is.

The foot.
I was at a church on the reservation, getting ready to baptize some people. There was no water at the church, and the water had to be brought in in barrels on a trailer. When the trailer arrived, as it was pulling up to the tank, a woman was standing there, and got her foot run over by the trailer.
That foot immediately swelled, turned red, and she could not walk on it.
We helped her inside the church where she could sit.
I 'heard' God tell me to lay hands on her, so I did. The foot immediately began shrinking, and 3 hours later was completely normal, and she danced in front of all the people, to show them that she had been healed. They all saw her foot.
But, it was not me, nor my power, that brought about the healing. All I did was what I was told. He did the rest. He's the healer, not me.
I can't tell you why he chooses to heal some and not others. You'll have to ask Him that.

Hahaha!

"Whoever wrote this book says that there were like a million people who saw it happen! That's a million witnesses, what do you mean "that's just one"?!

Originally Posted by Gramps

What you are suggesting is that it is possible these experiences are merely a creation of our own minds. And certainly, a person is able to do that. We can convince ourselves of just about anything. And when a person does that, those creations will cause him to experience those things he really desires in his heart.
But, when that 'voice' requires you to do things you would not do out of choice, and to stop doing things that you don't really want to stop doing, and gives you understanding of things that you could not understand in your wisdom, these are not self creations.

When He tells you to place your hand on someone and declare them healed, and you watch with your own eyes the swelling of a broken foot go down, and see that person stand up and dance on what was what obviously broken, what can you do but believe and accept it as truth?
Of course, my experiences are just that. Mine. And I cannot convince you or anyone that they are real. Don't need to actually. I assure you, the person who's foot was healed believes.

But when one is a paranoid Schizoprenic the voices in their head can often tell them to kill someone, say their next door neighbor, because their next door neighbors is an alien who is going to kill them. The Schizoprenic doesn't want to do this and tells his voices no, but they scream at him until he does. So his voices are not telling him things that he wants to do or hear.

Also about the healing a broken bone instantly, was this a personal encounter? I haven't heard, in any recent times when such things aren't expected without evidence, that anyone has places their hands on someone and healing a broken bone or cancer etc. if they did it would basically make world news, for many would think they were Jesus coming again.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

But when one is a paranoid Schizoprenic the voices in their head can often tell them to kill someone, say their next door neighbor, because their next door neighbors is an alien who is going to kill them. The Schizoprenic doesn't want to do this and tells his voices no, but they scream at him until he does. So his voices are not telling him things that he wants to do or hear.

Also true. God's voice isn't the only voice out there. And a paraschit won't know the difference. That's where the Word of God comes in. God will never contradict His Word, or require someone to do something that is clearly against His Word.

Also about the healing a broken bone instantly, was this a personal encounter? I haven't heard, in any recent times when such things aren't expected without evidence, that anyone has places their hands on someone and healing a broken bone or cancer etc. if they did it would basically make world news, for many would think they were Jesus coming again.

Yes this was a personal encounter. Such things are rarely documented, but they occur quite often.
As the above scoffer implied, there is no way for me to convince you, or anyone, that it was real. Do with it as you will. I don't need anyone's belief.

Originally Posted by Gramps

Yes this was a personal encounter. Such things are rarely documented, but they occur quite often.

I find this quite hard to believe. I think if there were actually cases of real healing going on "quite often" that there would be some form of documented evidence for it. As far as your personal experience, why did god require your hands to be on her foot for the healing? Why couldn't god just heal it? Maybe the foot just wasn't actually that injured? Or maybe you're making it up or exaggerating. No offense, just listing the possibilities.

Originally Posted by Rakjavik

I find this quite hard to believe.

Then don't believe it.

I think if there were actually cases of real healing going on "quite often" that there would be some form of documented evidence for it.

There is in some cases. But rarely. But would it make any difference? All such things can be and are atrributed to coincidence or some other excuse for unbelief.

As far as your personal experience, why did god require your hands to be on her foot for the healing? Why couldn't god just heal it?

He could have. I don't know the answer. You'll have to ask Him why.

Maybe the foot just wasn't actually that injured? Or maybe you're making it up or exaggerating. No offense, just listing the possibilities.

As I clearly said above, there is no way for me to prove or convince you of anything. All of those possibilities are real possibilities. Only you can decide which to believe.

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

Hehe yeah!

I like how they think the "eye witnesses" of 2000 years ago are credible.

Really what we have is a book saying four people said there were those eye witnesses 2000 years ago. I wonder how effective that kind of testimony would be in court.