More from ModShop:
ModShop wrote: |
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Given that, what is the harm in believing? If you believe, you still have a chance, but if you don't, you're guaranteed to lose. Is your own foolish pride really worth it? |
The whole "believe or burn in hell" aspect is a scare tactic common to many faiths. Personally I don't see how anyone could believe it... especially when you talk about Christian/Catholic based faiths.
We are told that God is kind and forgiving. In the scenario where a man has been a cruel murderer and rapist his whole life realizes the error of his ways, truly and deeply repents and accepts Jesus on his death bed.... we are to expect that God will forgive him and accept him into Heaven.
Conversely, someone who lives their whole life as a generous, kind, compassionate person who frequently volunteers in programs to help others is doomed to burn in hell simply because they don't believe in Jesus?
It doesn't make any sense. God couldn't possibly be that egocentric that he would place his own pride over the general quality of human life. Or maybe he is... after all, I think one of the 10 commandments is that you must worship him and not worship any other.
So take your pick: God is either extremely insecure.... or he's kind of a jerk and cares more about himself than the quality of life of everyone else.... or it's a manipulative scare tactic used to keep the masses in line.
Sure I'm using some loaded language there... but it kind of fits the bill. I know which one makes the most sense to me.
As for "is it worth it?" I'd have to say yes. I value my ability to reason and make rational, independent decisions pretty highly.
Surely you find it a little bleak in your belief in nothing after death? |
I've heard this same argument in many forms. Another common form is similar to "how can your life have any meaning knowing that you won't exist after you die?" There's even some guy on youtube that made a comically extreme video about it (as I'm sure there are comically extreme videos of everything on youtube ;P)
Personally I find my meaning for living in life itself. I don't need to justify or qualify my life through death. I can just accept life for what it is. It isn't depressing, or hopeless... if anything, it makes life that much more important. This is all we have, so we better make the most of it.
I find the idea of non-existance after death no more troubling than non-existance before birth (or conception for you pro-lifers).