Have I not demonstrated as well as a few other Christians on this very website that you can be a Christian and be completely rational?
2007-03-11 16:14:27 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You might be able to be rational about many things. However you are probably irrational about your core faith. Can you conceive of any evidence that would cause you to become an Atheist? If not, don't be too quick to claim total rationality.
On the other hand, judging from your answers here, you seem much more rational than most. The view of christians as irrational seems to stem from the predominance of biblical fundamentalists arguing the christian position.
2007-03-11 16:18:42 · answer #1 · answered by Dave P 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
No one is completely rational, most everyone has some degree of irrationality, that's what makes us human. As atheists will define being rational as only believing in something due to evidence. There is no, absolutely no evidence for Christianity. People can say whatever they want of spiritual awakenings or whatnot, but this does not constitute evidence. This is not to say that I am putting you down if you believe it. That's just some of those-who-believe's irrationality. This is by definition of believing something which does not have ample evidence.
So theists shouldn't take it as a sleight when atheists say religion is irrational. By definition it is. Everyone has some irrationality, it's impossible to be one hundred percent rational. These atheists know, or should know that it is very likely they are being irrational in some other department.
2007-03-11 23:22:53 · answer #2 · answered by Tim 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didn't say Christians were irrational. (JC, take a good look around this site and you'll find myriad examples against this... but whatever LOL)
I view Christianity as irrational because that's just the truth of it. It is irrational. To hold the beliefs that
a) a man came back from the dead
b) man's origins are a clump of dirt and a rib
c) bushes that are on fire can talk, as well as donkeys and snakes
d) an all-loving god sends people to a place of eternal torment after they're dead
is simply not rational, no matter which way you slice it.
2007-03-11 23:22:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately many Christians (at least on this board) act irrationally. Many Christians are quite rational, of course, but the ones spouting hatred and fear in the name of their religion reflect poorly on the whole.
Atheists tend to view any follower of religion as at least partially irrational since they believe in an unproven being/beings. Most are aware that Christians can be rational in non-religious matters.
2007-03-11 23:31:36 · answer #4 · answered by Cracea 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why is this not obvious?
You base your entire life on a 2000 year old book written by sheepherders during a time when mankind still believed the earth was flat where a man is born the son of a god by immactulate conception, water turns into wine, a man walks on water, a snake talks, a stick turns into a snake, a sea parts, and a man rises from the dead after three days, AND this book supports intolerance, and the promotion of prejudice and denial of the human rights of human beings like deriding homosexuality, and abortion, and the followers are EXTREMELY judgemental.
How is the Christian belief rational?
2007-03-11 23:21:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋
An honest, rational person cannot get into the second chapter of genesis with their belief intact. The creation stories in these two chapters cannot be reconciled with each other. Nobody needs to go any further to know the Bible is intellectually unsound. So I must assume you are either irrational or dishonest. I'll let you decide.
2007-03-12 00:00:33 · answer #6 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What is rational about teaching God needed a sacrifical death rather than teach that mankind hates what is good unless they have to share that good? Really now, what makes a Christian different from the tax collectors unless it is the sharing factor?
2007-03-12 00:36:44 · answer #7 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello. I believe the reason they see that we are irrational is due to the enemy of their soul has blinded them so the light of the truth cannot shine in their heart(s). Spiritual things seem foolish to a carnal (unsaved) man for they must be discerned spiritually. That's why God says that "through the FOOLISHNESS of preaching" He would save men from their sins! A person that's not been regenerated by God's Spirit will be dead to it. That's why we must pray for those who are unbelieving and to continue to sow seeds from God's word so that God can give an increase via a soul saved. He that saves souls is wise Proverbs says I believe. Once they see the truth they'll wonder what took them so long. Keep sharing friend!
2007-03-11 23:32:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would hope that us non-Christian theists come across as rational too.
Like I stated in my question - it is an argument of desperation. The last ditch effort to undermind faith.
Ignore it. Like so much else, it will pass. And those that choose to believe theists are irrational, are merely consoling themselves.
And, as is obvious from these people's answers - it's not working so well since they are still filled with hate, fear and ignorance. They are afraid to turn the mirror on themselves and see the irrationality lies within, not without.
2007-03-11 23:23:10 · answer #9 · answered by noncrazed 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When it all get boiled down, it is difficult to even find a true Christian. Are you speaking of those Christians or the ones that just pretend to be Christians. You know who they are don't you?
They are in name only having never really accepted Jesus Christ and repented. They go about their lives as nothing special even happened.
Are these the people you mean?><>
2007-03-11 23:21:17 · answer #10 · answered by CEM 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋