Why don't Christians understand that Christianity is based on IRRATIONAL ASSUMPTIONS?

Question

Why don't Christians understand that Christianity is based on IRRATIONAL ASSUMPTIONS?
Christians say that there is a GOD. They believe this on faith. Faith requires absolutly no fact knowledge. Humans know less than 1/10 of 1% of all there is to know in this universe. How do Christians know that in the more than 99.9% of this universe and in the 100% of what may possibly be beyond this universe, that they don't know anything about, that there is a God. Christians believe they know it for a fact, when it is clear that no human has this ability. Therefore, to assume that you, as human being, know God is irrational.

THEREFORE, AREN'T THE PRINCIPLES OF Christianity BASED ON IRRATIONAL ASSUMPTIONS?

Mocking this guy:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=At90be364uduUpiOi_S_iV7zy6IX?qid=20060712224007AA6CPA4

READ THE DETAILS PEOPLE.

I NEVER TYPED THIS.

I AM MOCKING THE PERSON IN THE LINK ABOVE.

Answer 1

Really using that logic, you could extend that statement to include all religions, couldnt you?

Answer 2

Faith is a powerful thing. What if you are right? Let's say Christianity is based on irrational assumptions, AND is not true...a complete waste of time. Well, as a Christian, or for that matter take any religion that has a focus on peace, good will toward others, not a good thing to kill others, etc.... such religions provide a framework for folks to live together in harmony and peace.. for the most part. So, we take our religion on faith...pure and simple. It's kind of like those folks that take on faith the theory that everything on earth sprang forth from simple matter (mix a little carbon, some oxygen, a touch of methane, some lightning... first thing you know, you've got Michael Jackson).

Now, if we Christians are wrong, we've at least had the moral foundation to provide for the common good of mankind. Yes, there are exceptions, but remember you only read about, saw on the news, or Internet, stories about the 1/10 of 1% of the folks that did something wrong today. Most of us didn't commit any crimes, steal, or crash drunk into a barricade at the U.S. capital. However, if you are wrong (about the religion thing), you will need an asbestos suit. Hey, it's in the book. I don't know, it's there, what can I say? I'll do the faith thing. You are perfectly free to do the science thing. However, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Best wishes, and keep the faith (oops, sorry about that) keep ... keep well, whatever... I know... keep on trucking.

Answer 3

Actually, the branch of philosophy called ephistomology (the philosophy of the mind) deals with how we cna be said to "know" anything. One of it's primary understandings is that we can never be sure of our perceptions. As such, While it may seem like we can "know" a lot about the world around us, all our knowledge can slowly be broken down and proven to be reliant in some way upon arbitrary belief except for Renee Descarte's famous "I think therefor I am".

Because of the fact that all we can ever truely prove without arbitrary reliance on other unproven "facts" is the fact that we exist (we in the case that you can prove YOU exist and I can prove I exist. I can't prove you exist, nor you I) all "knowledge" relies on a set of arbitrarily chosen "base facts" which we each individually choose to hold true.

Generally, it's assumed that one can choose any set of "base facts" that one desires. However in order to have a functional logical thought process there is the additional requirement that all of your "base facts" must be internally logically consistant. I cannot for example believe both that Ice cream is delicious and that all products made from milk taste bad.

Because this is the case, a Christian choosing "God exists" as a base fact is no more irrational than an Aethiest chooseing "only things I can perceive, exist", providing that they do not choose other conflicting "base facts".

Generally, the Bible does an exemplary job of keeping it's own internal logic if you accept it's givens as your "base facts". That is, if you accept certain things as true without question (the same way we all do), then the rest of the religion follows logically.

The problem is, of course, that since "base facts" are chosen arbitrarily, that no two people will ever choose exactly the same combination, ensuring that there will always be disagreement over some derivitive deduction or another.

Answer 4

More likely I think evolution is based on irrational assumptions as it is all hypothesis and may be and may be not's. Biblical history is real, as there are proper recorded historic documents which prove what the Bible has said is true. Kingdoms, kings, queens, people recorded in the Bible have historic evidence that such people were alive and history proves to be right. Unfortunately to those people who inhabit certain corners of the world, think that there is none better than their own selves.
You should perhaps pay a visit to the Middle East and walk in the reality of Biblical history, visit museums, see artifacts and perhaps you eyes may be a lil opened. As for knowing what is going to happen and beyond, well, those who follow Christ are given a Divine knowledge and understanding to see the unknown, to see what is behind the curtains, so they are aware of what is going to happen. Strange isn't it - may be to the human rational mind, but God choose the foolish to reveal the unknown so as to make naught the wisdom of the worldly wise.
Just ponder on this: The Titanic was called the 'unsinkable' ship by it's maker, well, guess it did not even make it even through it's maiden voyage - was it becoz of a storm, no, or where they caught in some sort of hurricane or tsunami, nope, just floating ice, which they were previously warned of being around that area. Strange isn't it?

Answer 5

Many principles of live are based on irrational assumptions. Religion is based on locality, it is what gets you to sleep at night. It is not wrong for people to have faith in what they can not see, for sake of explaining all the unpleasentries of life. Some people need reasons and explainations in order to cope with the world around them. It is not wrong to believe, it is your right. It is not meant for you to understand, but you should accept that everyone has the right to their own oppinion. You can not say with certainity that your ideas are any better than that of christians, muslims or pagans. An idea is an idea, while you may be able to explain your in a more intelligent maner, condeming those who say "they know God", makes you no better that the igornant little girl that just told you, you are going to hell. Stay true to your beliefs and ignore those who are to ignorant to understand, in the end that is what make you the bigger person.

and to Mike Y...............Please remember that "the book" was written by man, not God nor Jesus. Typically history is written by those who won. See the problem here is that everyone wants to be right, well not everyone can be. While Christianity may be a large religion, it is not the only one and there are pleanty of people out there that also believe there way is the right way. So either there are a lot of people that are wrong and going to hell or God really only cares that you are a good person. I believe that is is the latter of the two, so rather then persecute and spending your time telling others that they are wrong, you should concern yourself with helping and loving everyone reguardless of there beliefs. Who knows you may get to those shinney gates to find they are only letting the Jews in because your belief that Jesus was the son of God was wrong and he pissed off that you spent your time worshipping a false idle.

Answer 6

The fundamental aspect of religion is faith. Logic does not enter into it. Only when you go further and build a system of law upon it does logic come into play. Many or most religions -- Christianity in the forefront among them -- address aspects of life and death that can never be known, and these must be accepted (or one must pretend to accept them, or ignore the issue) if one is to be a member in good standing of that faith. Rituals are simply cultural events tacked onto belief; it is these rituals, often based on pagan customs, that create continuity and attract believers. Beyond that, religious law -- notably Canon law, Sharia, Jewish and Hindu law, etc., regulate the clergy, the administration of the religion, and the lives and acts of the community. Here there are no irrational assumptions; and indeed it is a Canon law which is (or was) the basis for the civil law and the common law system (in past centuries it was, for example, the Ecclesiastical Courts (and for Jews the Beth Din) which had responsibility for decedents' estates, trusts (in Sharia that would be wakaf (pl. of waqf)), adoption etc. If you want to see the epitome of rationality and logic in religion (whether you think this is a good thing or not) have a look at "legal pluralism" (not of the Harold Laski type, but the other one, such as practiced in Muslim countries, in India, in Israel and formerly in the French and British empires: personal law based on one's religion.

Answer 7

Christianity begins with a predetermined conclusion. There is a God. Then, the predetermined conclusion, is used as material, to defend a position, that there is a God. It's all a complex, neatly weaved little argument. 1-There is a God. 2-Then evolution didn't happen? 3-No, God created us. 4-But how can you prove there is a God, that made us, instead of evolution? 5-Because there is a God, he made us.

ALSO....I've heard Christians dispute the Big Bang Theory, and Evolution, because it is too "far fetched" or "Impossible".....This seems ironic to me, considering it comes from people that beleive an omnipotent being, who always was here, or suddenly sprang into existence, CREATED everything by uttering...let there be....Compartively speaking, which story sounds more far fetched than the other?

ANOTHER THING---I was told by a Christian that I am self centered, as I do not beleive in an after life. The reasoning is that I am self centered, because I do not beleive in a heaven, hell, or a god or a devil..this makes me self centered because I refuse to beleive in things more powerful than myself......BUT....they are a Christian, so they beleive a supernatural being created them, and THEY will live an eternity in heaven after they die......OKay...I have the ego problem, because I beleive when I'm dead that's the end of the show?

Answer 8

Nice writing but irrational on your part. Christianity believes in Jesus and the teachings of Jesus. You should also take a look at your assumptions of the universe what do you know about it nothing and you are assuming there is more.
Also like Einstein has said we are science cant be for for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction as there is to much instability down to the smallest object and science is just realising this ,
So like he asked who is stabl;ising us.

GOD

Answer 9

Unfortunitly, your same line of reasoning could just as eaisly be turned around to show that their is no proof that there is no God.

While we are at it - considering you know next to diddly squat (or, in your words less than 1/10 of 1%) how DO you know that there is no God out their in that region you know nothing about?

Hrrmmm

Do tell.

Answer 10

It's all irrational assumptions. There is no way to know the Unknowable - and there is certainly no way to prove it!

Peace!

Answer 11

I find it very interesting that people have such a need to try and convince christians they were wrong. If there was nothing TO Christianity, they would just ignore us all, and let it go.

:)