Question for Christians.?

Question

He that cannot reason is a fool. He that will not is a bigot. He that dare not is a slave. Which are you?

Everything that we think God has in his mind necessarily proceeds from our own mind; it is what we imagine to be in God’s mind, and it is really difficult for human intelligence to guess at a divine intelligence. What we usually end up with by this sort of reasoning is to make God the color-sergeant of our army and to make Him as chauvinistic as ourselves.
Lin Yutang

Answer 1

OK let me get this straight, you are calling ALL Christians either bigots, fools or slaves??
Now who's the real bigot here?
BTW, you do realize that your additional quote contradicts your initial question right? If we reason God into existence then we must be doing some reasoning.....

Answer 2

Well to give you credit I think your point is that we create in our minds what we envision God to be.

I have read the bible too and every one of the quotes I have read and heard in here ring a bell as it was quite some time ago, but I think what we do with what we have learned is totally individual and unique. No two people quite respond the same way do they? Which is why I cannot judge and claim that one man's way of thinking is more right than my own. After all I feel I am pretty gifted and intelligent enough to know when I am being righteous and when I am sinning. I don't profess to be perfect and would be a complete liar to claim that I am. However Jesus loves a sinner, not because he sins but because he loves us all and wants to endear us all to Him, and a sinner is simply a lost sheep that has strayed from the herd.

I think you are trying too hard to be philosophical with your question but I understand what you are trying to say. One who will not reason is set in their beliefs. One that will is not judgemental, or perhaps unsure, and one that dares not is too afraid to look beyond their beliefs for fear they might be proven wrong or shattered.

This is why some people hang on fast and hard to their beliefs. Frankly, you shouldn't try to rock their boat. But the fact that they are here, on this site, debating these issues, makes me wonder why. I'm here because it's so fascinating to me. I believe in humanity and the goodness of people.

To those who are lost I hope you find your way. But it's not for me to judge or sway those who would not want to be swayed. All you can do is shine your light for the world to see and it's their choice what they do with that knowledge.

Answer 3

Gluon,
I am a slave to Christ. Otherwise, I'd be asleep right now.

If you find that unreasonable, oh well.

What do you consider a fool? God promised something about that:
1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Answer 4

>> He that cannot reason is a fool. <<

Guess that makes you a fool.

Or do you consider giving people the choice of being a fool, bigot or slave 'reason'?

Ironic how you anti-Christians are just as bad as the worst Christians.

Answer 5

I am neither fool, bigot, or slave.

I am a fruitful branch, by free will and personal choice.

Joh 15:4 Abide in me: and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine: you the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch and shall wither: and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire: and he burneth.
Joh 15:7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will: and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 In this is my Father glorified: that you bring forth very much fruit and become my disciples.

- Jesus Christ

Answer 6

He that refuses the reasoning of others because he does not understand it or will not discuss it is a slave to his own foolish bigotry.

Answer 7

Actually, I could not answer better than this...it is too perfect.

Psalm 14: Of David. - The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;

Answer 8

Your additional comment is true that many people create an image of God according to there own intellect. Much like the greek gods, they were created by people who desires such powers and features for themselves. Also this creates a diety to cater to ones own convictions and life style. I've known so many people who claim that God would never dissapprove of their behavior yet when I ask them to expound on what they know it's ambiguous and followed with I don't really know. A lot of people want justification for what they do, especially when their behavior and actions are detrimental.

I know Christians can fall into this catagory of packaging God in a marketable way, with attractive wrappings and appealling features. However this is not the true duty of a follower of Jesus Christ. the sum of the true biblical faith is to surrender ones own will to that of God's so he may personally reveal himself in a way that we can attain and even still be mysterious and curiously beautiful.

I know the Lord not just because of what the Bible says and how Pastor interpret it, but a true heart and ear turned to him so that he may communicate to me who he is. Not by my own perception, that would be a crime against his character, but to listen for him to speak and know that when I read scriptures, when I pray and when I just listen it is in the hopes that I may learn more of who God is from him personally

I am neither a fool or a bigot. I would love to always attribute myself as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, but I am not always faithful. I am a slave to him, bound by love, not burdened but uplifted as I have been purchased from the tyranical rule of the world. My debt to my previous bitter master payed in full by the mercy and love of Jesus Christ

So a Christian, one who earnestly seeks to know God, not by his own feeble understanding, but to hear directly from the creator and who accepts instruction. He or she that seeks to reason and has found reason...is wise.

you raise a good point that we are all capable of being foolish, but even still God loves us all as our greatest wisdom still amounts to foolishness to Him. Love without condition is a difficult thing to give and to experience, so I encourage you to enjoy it.

Grace and peace to you from God and Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

I have something within me that is deeper than reason. But I would choose to be a slave for Christ....the thing is He set me free!!! WOOHOOO

Answer 10

None of the above. I can reason. I do reason. I've dared to reason. I'm a Christian.