An agnostic posted yesterday about how this was the best argument for Christianity he's ever heard of.
He pointed out how the disciples of Jesus were willing to give up everything they had in order to spread the message and truth they had witnessed. Most of them even eventually died for it.
He then rebuked it by saying many people die for their religion. But I think there is a key difference in this case. The disciples had NOTHING to gain from their sacrifice. They knew their salvation only came from the Lord and that there was no greater reward for them in Heaven because of their actions. So why did they go out to proclaim the gospel? These people actually witnessed the events then spent their lives suffering and dying so that others would know the truth. Why would anyone die for something they knew to be a lie?
Different from soldiers and suicide bombers for two reasons
They were there to witness the events so they would know if it was a lie.
No extra reward in heaven
2006-09-20 02:50:56 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You don't think soldiers ever kill or risk death for their own amusement? You don't think soldiers ever know that the cause they are fighting for is a lie? Maybe the were just a group of misled, depressed, or otherwise psychotic, or power-hungry, or ego-maniacal people who Jesus manipulated and brainwashed.
Or, maybe they surmised that the overall message was more important than the truth. They just saw their best friend die, and why not make it worth something? Maybe they had a pledge to their best friend that actually meant something to them.
Also, who's to say that they never recanted? WHO wrote these texts? They and their collaborators did! They could have screamed for mercy and whoever wrote about their martyrdom left that part out, because it didn't further their cause.
Furthermore, you can't ascribe current social constraints and motivations to civilizations that existed 2,000 years ago. The world is different now. Maybe they just did things then that we shouldn't try to or couldn't rationalize with our current perspective. You can't know their motivations, and it is unreasonable to put your feelings in their hearts.
2006-09-20 03:03:24 · answer #1 · answered by jimvalentinojr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But your argument (while a good point) is flawed. The disciples of Jesus believed their would by 'salvation' in heaven, and by spreading their beliefs it would prove their faith and be more of a reason why they would end up in heaven. Suicide bombers believe that when they die they will go to their version of heaven and their family will be guaranteed for their sacrifice.
People commit suicide because they would rather do that than face an 'alien invasion' (for example) but that doesn't mean there really will be an invasion.
2006-09-20 03:05:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your second answer to this says Islam is the best argument for Christianity... He is on the wrong question? A denial that Jesus is God is way outside the meaning of Christianity... They can believe what they want but to say that Islam has anything to do with Christianity is an insult to Christians... Jim
2006-09-20 02:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the Martyrdom of the Apostles & disciples of Our Lord is indeed one of the best arguments for Christianity.
But, another argument for Christianity is Christ Himself. Which other religious founder Rose From the Dead? Not Buddha. Not Muhammed. Not Guru Nanak. Etc.
2006-09-20 04:45:38 · answer #4 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Um, what other choice did they have? Did they really expect that if they all just sat around and did nothing to spread Jesus' message, as he commanded them to, they still would have gotten into heaven? Agreeing to evangelize was part of what they accepted when they were saved, so you can't separate the two.
2006-09-20 02:55:54 · answer #5 · answered by Steven S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing, except tithings.
How come Saul only wrote that Jesus did all of his actions on the spiritual plane? How come Saul didn't write about any part of Jesus' life and the miracles he performed?
Lies are humankind's greatest moneymaker.
2006-09-20 02:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Numbers 12:6... do atheists dream? if so then you definately get a connection to the residing be attentive to God. don't be confident until you study the way it works. yet be arranged to consume crow once you recognize what number properly ordinary human beings have used their desires and visions for his or her fulfillment and creativity. lots of them despised faith, yet known that the author replaced into there any time they dreamed.
2016-10-17 08:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's assuming any of that actually happened, the only documentation of which is the Bible. I have to assume that SOMEBODY went to a lot of trouble pass on Christianity, but their motives can certainly be in question.
2006-09-20 02:59:08 · answer #8 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
none of the writers of the new testament were there, It was written long after the events that it claims happened should have.
None of the Roman records of the time mention the events described ( and the Romans would have noticed, they used disasters, both natural and man made to check their dates)
2006-09-20 02:56:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many people throughout history to die for their beliefs. With nothing to gain for it. Yet they still did it. Your argument is seriously flawed.
2006-09-20 02:55:23 · answer #10 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋