I know, but I thought it was relevant based on the topic in general. I didn't intend for it to be a debating point to your post.
First of all , I am a human being and therefore can only (at least at the present) experience and comprehend God as a human being. If I myself were divine, and I'm not, maybe I could refer to Him in a different manner but I can't. What would you rather God be referred to as? We can call Him "I AM" if that is okay with you? You need to read my earlier post, I have no argument whatsoever and I'm certainly not going to try and use human logic to explain God's existence, His Incarnation etc. I don't need to convince anyone else that I'm "right", its not my job. I know I'm right. Thats the end of the discussion for me. There are many reasons, too numerous to post here ,about why I have reached this point in my journey and I've only made it here because of the graces of God. I certainly didn't earn it, nor do I feel that I deserve it. But here I am Lord. I'm here to greet each day and I try and leave it a little better than the way I found it fully aware of all of my faults, flaws and limitations. That is all.
this is where he goes wrong. fear and reward will not motivate anyone to get into heaven----only love. common misconception among believers and heathens alike.
How can it be a common misconception among believers, and yet right before you say that it cannot motivate them. Clearly, people are motivated by fear & reward - regardless of whether that is what should motivate them. I find it quite obvious that the ideas of heaven & hell were created in order to keep people in line.
I have to disagree with your definition of Christianity as being a sect. There are three definitions of a sect. One defines it as a small group within a larger group. Another defines it as a religious body that has separated from a larger denomination. And a third defines it as a small faction defined by common interests. All three definitions seem to be united by a common thread: that a sect is a small, derivative group. First, Christianity is not small. Secondly, from its earliest days most converts were not Jewish, but were Gentiles. Early Christianity had little success in converting Jews. It is, therefore, inaccurate to describe it as "a small group that had separated from a larger denomination." So, although Christianity is clearly influenced by its Jewish roots, there are enough differences both in terms of community, beliefs and practices, that it is inaccurate to describe it as a sect of any other religion.
based on the doctrine it wont get you there. certainly many are affected by fear and reward. two of my biggest philosophical disagreements with christianity.
Obvious, CParso? I don't find it as obvious as you do and I've done my share on contemplation on the subject. People may be motivated by fear and reward, but that is only motivation to begin self-examination. More complete transcendence is only motivated by higher concepts, such as love, receptivity, and acceptance.
You are ignoring that two of the three definitions do accurately describe Christianity. Size is not the issue, derivation is. It was when it diverged from Judaism. Christ himself was not a Christian and he preached a morality that was within Judaism. All the first Christians were Jews. One of Christianity's early crises was whether or not Gentiles could become Christians at all. Objective observers would tend to say that it is exactly that. Different, of course, that is part of the definition of a sect. But the sharing of prophets, patriarchs, holy books, holy laws, and above all worshiping the same deity is far more than mere "influence by its Jewish roots".
Nobody is questioning your belief and having a belief is fine. I could care less. But the thought that you or anyone else knows what God wants, what God thinks, or what God does if God exists is just plain nonsense. God for all we know could be the complete opposite of what you think.
It may be nonsense to you but it isn't to me. Like I said, I'm not trying to convince you that I'm right, I know that I am. I know what God wants of me. God is in my life daily. If you don't know God or what He wants from you, I simply don't know what to tell you except to follow His Son. Alternatively, if you don't want to know God or what He wants from you, thats okay by me. However, I wouldn't say I could care less.
