...that you used to be Christians? (If you never were a Christian, then explain how you could give scientific proof if you had been one.)
2007-03-22 08:10:51 · 18 answers · asked by jinxmchue001 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
None. You can ask my family, my congregation, my R.E. teachers, etc... but there's nothing I could pour into or out of a beaker that would "scientifically" prove that I was Christian.
Oh, that's right, I probably do have baptism records... though I'm not sure if you consider that "scientific".
2007-03-22 08:19:35 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Even Christians don't agree on the requirements for being a Christian, and the outward demonstrable evidence, like certificates of baptism, do not prove what is claimed to be an metaphysical event, i.e conversion. We can no more provide scientific proof of an untestable purported event, i.e. conversion, than you can. You certainly cannot prove you are a Christian since only you know your own mind. I can affirm that I was baptized and present a certificate that is verifiable. I can affirm that I prayed the sinner's prayer and not only believed the faith, but I can prove I defended it, preached it, taught others to do so, by submitting affidavits of men who are still Christian pastors with whom I was in ministry. But none of that scientifically proves an event for which no testable evidence is possible by the very construction of the event. Christians constantly accuse each other of not being true Christians and have fought multitudes of bloody wars over it because there is in fact no evidence that conversion is anything more than a state of mind, and often a very temporary one. the last Harvest Crusade I worked in Anaheim had 55,000 attendees and 18,000 coming forward to "receive Christ" and six months later less than 100 were churched. So did they really convert? If the promise of scripture is true, then they did. But proof that anyone is a Christian, including "fruits" since non-Christians display the same characteristics, is just a subjective thing that proves nothing.
2007-03-22 15:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no such proof. Christianity is based upon belief.
I might be able to come up with evidence that I went to church and had a 'christian lifestyle' but none of that is conclusive. I can only state that I used to be a christian and it is up to you whether you believe me or not.
If I could come up with proof that I used to be a christian, then I would probably still BE a christian. Excuse the illogic loop - you know what I mean.
If I presented a baptism or confirmation record, that would only prove that the church believed I was a christian.
2007-03-22 15:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If there was a coup, and the new tyrant was hunting down Christians, there would be enough documentary evidence to convict me, even though I am now an atheist.
Articles I have written and had circulated.
(Including a study guide to Mark's gospel)
Witnesses could be found to testify to my voluntary attendance at church, and active membership, including teaching bible study leaders and training people in evangelism.
We're talking History not Physics, so the nature of evidence is slightly different. There is no "control experiment" for history, or element of repeatability.
2007-03-22 15:24:23 · answer #4 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was never brought up as a Christian. Does that count as scientific proof?
2007-03-22 15:16:53 · answer #5 · answered by R 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What kind of proof do you want? A phone call or email from my former pastor? Even with that, you likely wouldn't believe him or me. I have a baptism certificate, a certificate for being a women's pastor, and even newsletters I wrote for church. Would those suffice? Geesh.
Maybe you should look at the answers we give on bible-based questions. Most of the times, the atheists are the ones who know the answers best.
2007-03-22 15:14:10 · answer #6 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Here's the thing. I don't have to give you proof if I truly understand what I believe in. It seems to me that you are the one with the problem believing it and needing the proof, not me. I suggest that you try to look within yourself for the answers you desire.
PS I really didn't understand the question very well anyway.
2007-03-22 15:17:56 · answer #7 · answered by AKA FrogButt 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well I've got this tattoo... then there are my baptismal and first holy communion certificates which proved that, at one time SOMEBODY considered me in "good standing" with the Catholic Church and toeing the party line with the Magisterium... which was hooie, because I was always questioning the answers... and if you run carbon dating on the documents you should be able to prove their scientific authenticity, then there's matching up signatures with the church officials who signed them and compare to documents they've signed in the past...
shall I bore you further or just pass the beer?
_()_
2007-03-22 15:16:42 · answer #8 · answered by vinslave 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just come to my house and enter my mother's room. There's a cross, open bible, and holy pictures. I could prove it to you in two ways, I could take a picture or you could personally witness it. I could also show you my mothers wedding pictures, my baptism, scholarships my mother is trying to get at her church, etc.
Can you scientifically prove to me that you are a Christian?
2007-03-22 15:15:03 · answer #9 · answered by Maikeru 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Note from the Minister and Enforcer of Logic:
This question has the potential to be a non-sequitur and an ad hominem at the same time.
2007-03-22 15:22:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋