that there is a Hell and Jesus will come and take his faithful followers to Heaven while the "unsaved" go to Hell?
What would it take for you to really believe that?
2007-03-11 22:08:42 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians, I'm really not interested in your responses. You save your opinions for someone who cares, OK?
2007-03-11 22:18:49 · update #1
I'll be honest with you. I don't know what it would take for me to believe. I guess I'd know it when I saw it. There's also so many parts of that particular belief that would need to be proven. I'd need proof of a Heaven, and proof of a Hell. I'd also need proof that JESUS is the one who is the key to getting into Heaven and staying out of Hell. I'd need proof of what Jesus's exact definition of "saved" would be. (In the Bible, it's very complicated and contradictory. Unlike what a lot of Christians believe-considering that approx 95% haven't READ the Bible--it's not as simple as "accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior." In the Bible, there's a LOT more to it than that. I know...I've read it. More than once.)
2007-03-12 02:37:08 · answer #1 · answered by Jess H 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would never 'believe' that. Belief requires faith, of which I have none. However, the day Jesus shows up at the White House and gives a press conference, then we'll all 'know' that it's true. I'll take my chances that that will never happen and remain an Atheist.
2007-03-12 12:39:24 · answer #2 · answered by TechnoRat60 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, archeological evidence to support some of the major stories in the bible (the ark, Jesus existing, etc.) would have to be found and supported by the scientific community.
Since there's not much chance of that happening, I guess the most reliable way would be for god to come to earth, present himself to the world, and then create a living human being from dirt...while we watched. Then, moments later, put that human to sleep, remove one of its ribs, and create a second. Verification could be done by the medical community, explaining the lack of navels on these 2 people.
2007-03-12 07:02:47 · answer #3 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For me, the simplicity of having a god or Jesus appearing before me (without the need for drugs, alcohol or a brain tumor) and saying he exists and that I am a product of his will would suffice.
The real question would be, would I begin worshiping this god? The answer is no, I wouldn't. Look at the strife caused by xians and xianity throughout history? Look at the warring factions of faith. Look at the violence it spawned.
I'd rather go to hell than be with a jealous, overbearing, vengeful god like that.
2007-03-12 05:47:58 · answer #4 · answered by umwut? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If
1) if christians suddenly realized that the bible they have been reading and attributing to god was a hoax written by people (which it obviously is)
and, more importantly
2) we found a real holy bible that had been hidden which actually appears to be the work of an omniscient, omnipotent higher being and does not conflict with reality.
2007-03-12 10:53:22 · answer #5 · answered by Tiktaalik 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More than could actually occur...I don't believe in the Bible's version of it.. Man has his fingerprints on that.. and we know pretty much why... To control the masses of people through fear! I see no evidence that a creator god exists.. so it would take nothing short of a miracle! And even then I'd have to measure it with my own knowledge.
2007-03-12 05:29:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Empirical Evidence.
2007-03-12 05:27:16 · answer #7 · answered by The Happy Atheist 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Jesus coming down and performing one of the old school miracles. That would be a good start. Then maybe giving a sermon that rationally connects a loving god with genocide.
2007-03-12 05:23:06 · answer #8 · answered by Tom :: Athier than Thou 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
All the so-called christians to prove their faith, by dousing themselves in petrol/gasoline, then putting a flame to each other..
Surely that would prove any existence of a 'higher power?'..
2007-03-12 05:19:17 · answer #9 · answered by viragotriker 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
How about him turning up on my doorstep with irrefutible proof of identity.
But that's never going to happen so I'll stick with what I know can be proven, the links between different animals that come from evolution.
2007-03-12 05:12:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋