that great minds from hundreds of years ago who claimed to believe might only have said that to save their own booty?
2007-07-09 03:48:37 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nope. They can only believe what their preacher tells them.
2007-07-09 03:51:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 8⤋
In the case of Christianity, the opposite is true.
Let's take a look at the original group who perpetuated Christianity.
All of the Apostles who knew Jesus best, died violent deaths because of their message (except for John).
They all had the opportunity to recant, knowing that they would be spared, and allowed to live. No one goes to their death willingly for a lie that they know to be a lie. And yet each one died, knowing that a better future awaited them.
During the Watergate scandal of the '70s, the conspirators could not keep their lie together for two weeks. None of them was threatened with death. The worse thing that could have happened was prison. And these guys began ratting each other out at the first sign of trouble. Not so with the Apostles.
If the resurrection, and Jesus' promises were a lie, the Apostles would have chosen to live for a while longer. Many had families to think about.
All throughout Christianity's history, true believers were persecuted and killed for unwavering faith. A lot of persecution even happened at the hands of the established (but apostate) church.
Therefore, it isn't because they were trying to "save their own booty," the opposite is true instead.
2007-07-09 04:02:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your first question intrigues me, and that is what drew me here. Most Christians, as well as religious people of all types and denominations, THINK and study on a regular basis! Bible study, church, etc.
The second part, that they the New Testament writers are just trying to "save their own booty", is funny. Have you ever read the New Testament? Early Christians, especially the writers, were persecuted and in danger for their beliefs. If they wanted to "save their own booty", they would have never written about something that most certainly would draw attention to themselves as a revolutionary of sorts in the religious community.
2007-07-09 04:50:42 · answer #3 · answered by 2 Happily Married Americans 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just the opposite. What they said and believed sealed their fate in the arenas of Rome as hated Christians. These people gave their lives for their beliefs. Even today Christians are doing this in Islamic countries.
2007-07-09 03:55:14 · answer #4 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Could be but Many were outspoken in their beliefs.
IE George Washington, Abraham Lincoln,
John Adams, Patrick Henry, Galileo, Pascal, Isaac Newton,
2007-07-09 03:57:12 · answer #5 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They may have to continue thinking than they probably have bargained for, because without those excellent minds of the past, the planet will still be as archaic as ever.
2007-07-09 04:05:22 · answer #6 · answered by CPAN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do religious non-believers ever stop to think of all the people who died claiming their belief?
2007-07-09 04:00:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Infact it was the opposite. Those who claimed to believe got martyred for it.
2007-07-09 03:58:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have. And I think some great religious leaders today are in it for the booty. (money)
But my faith is not based on what Christian leaders or great men do or do not do. My faith is in God. I would believe if there were no churches or church leaders.
2007-07-09 03:57:33 · answer #9 · answered by Ruth 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The reasons behind anyone else's beliefs on any matter do not affect my beliefs. I do not follow man. . . .I do not believe because someone told me to. I have sought through my own life on my own journey to find truth, and I believe I have.
2007-07-09 03:52:50 · answer #10 · answered by sparkles9 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe they said it because they believed it?
2007-07-09 03:57:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋