How is Truth possible?

[Godmachine]

Well, if one chooses infinite punishment for a finite crime, I don’t see why one should gripe.

I don’t see how or why anyone could or would make such a “choice”.

When a criminal commits a capital crime and gets sentenced to life in prison, does he have a right to gripe?

Life in prison is a finite punishment

He knew full well the chance he was taking. The same with atheists and sinners.

According to the Christian definition of the word, ***everyone ***is a sinner. Nobody is immune to “sin”. Are you suggesting that not believing in your god is a sin worthy of infinite punishment?

They want nothing to do with God? Wish granted!

Some people want nothing to do with the Christian god. For good reason

From a previous post, it sounds like you don’t want to go to heaven? Right?

Why do people (even good Christians) enjoy going to places like Las Vegas (“Sin city”)? Because it’s fun of course. It may be that nobody has ever been to Heaven and then come back to tell about it but Christians say it is a place without “sin”. It’s kind of a cosmic anti-Vegas. Why would anyone want to go to a place where you can never ever, for all eternity do something naughty? That sounds like Hell to me.

Where else is there to go but hell?

Or maybe there is no such thing as Heaven or Hell. Maybe, just maybe, there is something else, something we cannot even begin to imagine.

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Godmachine

I don’t see how or why anyone could or would make such a “choice”.

Every atheist makes such a choice.
**
Life in prison is a finite punishment**

Well, not really. You’ll never see freedom again.

**According to the Christian definition of the word, everyone is a sinner. Nobody is immune to “sin”. Are you suggesting that not believing in your god is a sin worthy of infinite punishment? **

I’m not suggesting it. Jesus promises it.

“Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my
heavenly Father.” Matthew 10:32-33

Some people want nothing to do with the Christian god. For good reason

What good reason would that be?

Why would anyone want to go to a place where you can never ever, for all eternity do something naughty? That sounds like Hell to me.

Sounds like you’re inclined to be naughty?

**Or maybe there is no such thing as Heaven or Hell. Maybe, just maybe, there is something else, something we cannot even begin to imagine. **

That’s what the Catholic Church teaches. Purgatory. A finite punishment for crimes against God and humanity…

 

[Godmachine]

Every atheist makes such a choice.

Atheism is not a choice

**
Life in prison is a finite punishment**

Well, not really. You’ll never see freedom again.

The punishment ends when the person dies

I’m not suggesting it. Jesus promises it.

Nice one. Shift the blame to Jesus

Some people want nothing to do with the Christian god. For good reason

What good reason would that be?

Maybe because some people see the Christian god as a tyrant

[Sounds like you’re inclined to be naughty?

Of course I am. Who isn’t?

That’s what the Catholic Church teaches. Purgatory. A finite punishment for crimes against God and humanity…

Just more imaginative musing. There is no more evidence for Purgatory than there is for Heaven or Hell.
[/quote]

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Godmachine

Atheism is not a choice

Every atheist consciously chooses to be an atheist.

The punishment ends when the person dies

But the loss of freedom is eternal, both alive and dead. If the atheist is in prison for life, that is surely the most exquisite form of torture, since he can see no light at the end of the tunnel. At least the theist can hope for life eternal … which the atheist chooses to deny without knowing for a fact that this life does or does not exist. Again, if the atheist is willing to accept the chance of eternal hell, what is his gripe when he gets what he is betting he will not get? Dumb.

Nice one. Shift the blame to Jesus.

You call it blame. Jesus calls it giving the hellion what he asked for … hell.

Maybe because some people see the Christian god as a tyrant.

Only people with authority issues would say that. And they would say it of any authority.

Of course I am. Who isn’t?

We all our. But it sounds like you wear it as a badge of honor, rather than of shame.

**Just more imaginative musing. There is no more evidence for Purgatory than there is for Heaven or Hell. **

If by evidence you mean, have I been there and seen it? No.

Do I hope to get there? I’d be honored to be the last one out.

 

[Godmachine]

Every atheist consciously chooses to be an atheist.

I bet there are some atheists here who would beg to differ

If the atheist is in prison for life, that is surely the most exquisite form of torture, since he can see no light at the end of the tunnel. At least the theist can hope for life eternal … which the atheist chooses to deny without knowing for a fact that this life does or does not exist. Again, if the atheist is willing to accept the chance of eternal hell, what is his gripe when he gets what he is betting he will not get? Dumb.

OK so the theist who commits a capital crime can (theoretically) look forward to eternal life in “paradise” after life in prison. But the atheist whose only crime in this life was not believing in a god gets to suffer for all eternity. And somehow this is “justice”?

Nice one. Shift the blame to Jesus.

You call it blame. Jesus calls it giving the hellion what he asked for … hell.

Care to show me where Jesus says that in the Bible?

Maybe because some people see the Christian god as a tyrant.

Only people with authority issues would say that. And they would say it of any authority.

Not everyone in authority is a tyrant but tyrants usually do hold positions of authority.

But it sounds like you wear it as a badge of honor, rather than of shame.

I am what I am. I see no reason to be ashamed of what I am

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Godmachine
**
OK so the theist who commits a capital crime can (theoretically) look forward to eternal life in “paradise” after life in prison. But the atheist whose only crime in this life was not believing in a god gets to suffer for all eternity. And somehow this is “justice”?**

God gives us what we ask for. If we ask for Him, he gives us Him. If we do not ask for Him, and in fact reject Him, He gives us our wish. The latter course is chosen by the sinner, not imposed by God. This is what atheists never want to get because as a rule they have authority issues that extend from their earthly father to the Father of us all.
**
Care to show me where Jesus says that in the Bible?**

“Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my
heavenly Father.” Matthew 10:32-33
**
I am what I am. I see no reason to be ashamed of what I am **

What are you?

 

[JDaniel]

I bet there are some atheists here who would beg to differ

GM:

Sorry for the butt-in, but I’d like to know how they think.

OK so the theist who commits a capital crime can (theoretically) look forward to eternal life in “paradise” after life in prison. But the atheist whose only crime in this life was not believing in a god gets to suffer for all eternity. And somehow this is “justice”?

If you don’t want to go to the party, God will not drag you kicking and screaming. It might not be “justice,” per se, but He is allowing you what you’ve all-along wished for.

God bless,
jd