Better to believe, or to be prepared?

Question

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15566391/site/newsweek/

is the article, written by Sam Harris, a self-avowed atheist. The quote in question is this:

"...44 percent of Americans are confident that Jesus will return to Earth sometime in the next 50 years, and you will glimpse the terrible liability of this sort of thinking. Given the most common interpretation of Biblical prophecy, it is not an exaggeration to say that nearly half the American population is eagerly anticipating the end of the world. It should be clear that this faith-based nihilism provides its adherents with absolutely no incentive to build a sustainable civilization—economically, environmentally or geopolitically....We are talking about the explicit views of Christian ministers who have congregations numbering in the tens of thousands. These are some of the most influential, politically connected and well-funded people in our society."

If you are one of these believers, is it better to believe the end is at hand and do as you will, or to hope it is coming and yet still work towards the good of the future?

Red Eye: Claims of Christianity don't always pertain to all having the same beliefs. This just point out the ones who are sure that it will happen in the given timespan, and doesn't include those who aren't comfortable saying that, don't believe it will be that soon, or subscribe to beliefs that Revelations may be allegorical and/or different from the common interpretation.

Answer 1

"...44 percent of Americans are confident that Jesus will return to Earth sometime in the next 50 years"

75% of america is christian

Answer 2

Better to be a well-prepared believer, for no man knoweth the time or season. Could be 10 years from now or 100, it's all the same on God's timetable...any Christian who uses Christ's coming as an excuse for wasteful living is certainly not following Christ's instructions.

Answer 3

You mean-"Was it better to belived or it is better to be prepared."

Acxcording to William James - Since belief is measured by action, he who forbids us to believe religion to be true, necessarily also forbids us to act as we should if we did believe it to be true. The whole defense of religious faith hinges upon action. If the action required or inspired by the religious hypothesis is in no way different from that dictated by the naturalistic hypothesis, then religious faith is a pure superfluity, better pruned away, and controversy about its legitimacy is a piece of idle trifling, unworthy of serious minds. I myself believe, of course, that the religious hypothesis gives to the world an expression which specifically determines our reactions, and makes them in a large part unlike what they might be on a purely naturalistic scheme of belief.

let me end by a quotation from Fitz James Stephen. " What do you think of yourself? What do you think of the world? . . . These are questions with which all must deal as it seems good to them. They are riddles of the Sphinx, in some way or other we must deal with them... In all important transactions of life we have to a leap in the dark. . . . If we decide to leave the riddles unanswered, that is a choice; if we waver in our answer, that, too, is a choice: but whatever choice we make, we make it at our peril. If a man chooses to turn his back altogether on God and the future, no one can prevent him; no one can show beyond reasonable doubt that he is mistaken. If a man thinks otherwise and acts as he thinks, I do not see that any one can prove that he is mistaken. Each must act as he thinks best; and if he is wrong, so much the worse for him. We stand on a mountain pass in the midst of whirling snow and blinding mist, through which we get glimpses now and then of paths which may be deceptive. If we stand still we shall be frozen to death. If we take the wrong road we shall be dashed to pieces. We do not certainly know whether there is any right one. What must we do? "Be strong and of a good courage." Act for the best, hope for the best, and take what comes. . . . If death ends all, we cannot meet death better."

Believing supercede preparedness, you cannot prepare without believing first. This too goes hand in hand.

Answer 4

Matthew 24:36
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

It would be foolish to just sit around and wait. Nobody can know the exact day and hour. We can see signs of the end, but only God knows when.

Answer 5

Im sure they said the world will end and jesus will come in 1935 but he didnt so it wont be now and wont be anytime soon

Answer 6

this just proves how the churches are runing the usa useing its brainwash politions the cosmos 6000yrs is a joke and the fact dinos on the ark that fairy tale is destroying the usa

Answer 7

Loved this question. To all who claim Christianity, are you listentening? To all who dont believe, be listening, as Jesus is coming soon. and we all need to be ready.
Yes, Jesus is coming, and soon, no 50 years from now. the devil gets that message out, so people think they have all their lives to make a decision. deception.......................... The Bible tells us all the sings that Jesus is coming SOON, and we are here folks. Read the newspaper, hear the news, look around you at the entire world, and see if we arent seeing prophecy fullfilled all around us. We dont have long, do deceide now if you choose God or against God.. cant have it both ways. If you choose GOd, you must obey Him fully, or not at all.
Noone buys their free gift of salvation by doing wonderful things. We can only have salvation because Jesus died upon the cross for our sins, period. But, if we love God, we will obey Him, and do all we can to wittness for Him and teach the world about Him by living it ourselves and showing what the Bible says. You cant keep sinning and then saying grace covers it all. Grace does not cover deliberate sin. Read the Bible. This isnt my words, its GODS>>>>
You say which is more imporant, believing or being ready. WOWOW. .
You cant be ready without believing. and you cant be a believer and not want to be ready First is believing, then obeying, and then getting ready. You must know what God says to do to know HOW to get ready. To have a sustainable civilization, you have to have God as the head of it all, like Heaven will be. Because if mankind isnt following God, the civilization will fall. big time.
You say some Christians dont seem to want this, a sustainable civilization. Oh yes we do. But, we cant make the rest of the world follow God and to make it happen. As long as their is sin, it leads to perversion and darkness of every kind, to chaos, and destruction... and no civilization will stand up to that.
But, when Christians try to tell you that, we hear that we are intolerant, and hateful. No, we tell you about God because first He loves you, and so do we, and we want a life here as it will be in heaven. That simple. There wont be murders, liars, fornicators, thievs, adulters, or any of it in heaven, or how could we be thrilled about being there? Its just like it is here now.
God never rejects anyone tho and sends to hell. But, he tells us we can have the free choice to accept or reject Him. He forces noone, and no Christian should try to force it on someone either. We are just to tell you, and leave any convicting to God. Many will reject God. Jesus was crucified for His beliefs and speaking up. So, we will be too, and we get thru it. He sacrificed it all for us. So, who are we to tripe because the world turns on us? NO. We are to keep telling the truth and letting others deceide their choice. BUt, when someone wont choose God, and they reject Him, then they will go to hell, because they cant be in hell and be still sinning. that simple. We cant reach perfection , But can do it for us, thru our obeying Him. He calls us to be like Jesus, and Jesus was perfect. Getting ready involves this concept, of seeking only holiness, purity, obedience, and turning away from all the sin in the world. RUNNING FROM IT< AND RUNNING TO GOD> Getting ready is to be totally obedient to God, and doing all He says, loving as He loves, and forgiving. all of it, not just the parts we like. To love as He loves, and to forgive, and see people for who they are, not how they act. Underneath every mean person is hurt and pain, that someone did to them. They need our prayers and our help, not our condemnation, but we are to tell them there is a way out, and that they must turn from all of it and let God heal them and give them a new heart... so they can be in heaven.
Where is the liability in this kind of thinking? This way we have victory. If we dont get this, and just live as we please, apart from God, this is LIABILITY THINKING. a total loss of everything, your life, and heaven. this is one insurance policy we all better be checking into. Which path to Heaven, and which to hell. and get on the right path while there is still time. Victory is ours once we do that. and only God can get us there, thru the blood of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died for us. Wasnt that enough? Instead so many in society mock him, and reject Him. He died for us ALL. How I pray ALL would accept that and just love Him. Lets pray Christians. Pray that the deception that covers them is removed and only Gods perfect truth and love can be seen.

Answer 8

Your logic is false and absurd.