Religious Stew

Stand To Reason ^ | 1995 | Gregory Koukl

[Idisarthur]

Yes, this seems to make sense. There is a clash of ideas and contradiction. That can't happen in a mathematical proof.

[attiladhun2]

If I were inclined to invent a religion and a god, the God of the Bible is the very last God I would ever invent.

If the Bible were the product of solely of men, it would exalt men. The character flaws of Moses, Abraham, Noah, David, etc., would not be recorded. The idea of "sin" would be downplayed or even dismissed. The concept of grace, i.e., unmerited and undeserved favor would be completely absent from its pages. Instead, we would be treated to long discourses on how we might placate the Deity by our own good efforts and by certain ritual observances.

[timtoews5292004]

The author may reject the notion of "religious stew" and religious pluralism, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The company I work for is an interfaith organization. They're constantly neutering the power of Christ in their message in their mad scramble to be inclusive to the "all roads" mentality.

[AreaMan]

The author may reject the notion of "religious stew" and religious pluralism, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

I don't think he is rejecting its existence, he is just sayin the concept is unreasonable and something people should reject.

[stuartcr]

How does the author know that he is correct?

[AreaMan]

How does the author know that he is correct?

Why don't you ask the author?

[stuartcr]

I don't know how to contact him. So, since you posted it, I asked you, thinking you may know.

[AreaMan]

Ok. Well in case you want to contact the author via email or phone; info is on the STR.org website.

He could be wrong, but since the religous truths he asserts seem to conform to reality then I would say he is right.

[timtoews5292004]

It may be something people should reject, but sadly its becoming more and more common. Groups like the ELCA, NCC, UMC, PCUSA, are desperately seeking "interfaith unity" while sacrificing their core beliefs in the process. In the end times, during the tribulation, the anti-christ and the false prophet will trick people into "worshipping" in a single world-wide church, after all. It is not going to get better, only worse.

[GeekDejure]

Ahh gee wiz... I can't wait to purposely explode myself (and those around me) with a bomb that I deliberately wrap around myself... 'cus then I will be able to forevermore delight in the sexual services of 72 firm breasted virgins and 12 beautiful young boys. Besides, I will also have all the wine and water I can ever possibly drink.

Wow... what a magnificent paradise for a horny, thirsty, camel jockey like me who lives in the desert !!! ;-))

[Squawk 8888]

As far as I'm concerned, religious pluralism is fine for those religions that tolerate dissent. Of all the major religions in the world, only one fails that test. Every religion, except one, is a guide for living. One is a guide for dying.

[stuartcr]

I don't see where the truths he asserts conform to reality, but we probably see things differently. I will try to contact him, eventhough this is from 1995, I will assume he still works there.

[AreaMan]

Gee, I don't know what to say in response to that...how about switching to de-caf?

[GeekDejure]

Gee, I don't know what to say in response to that...how about switching to de-caf?
=====
No... you're supposed to say, "Praise allah, and his only profit, mow-ham-mud (may pyss be upon him) !!! ;-))

[AreaMan]

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Yes, he runs the place so I think he still works there.

He also has a radio show on Sundays in SoCal. and you can call in and ask him yourself if you like. Again, the information is on the website.

[omegavenus]

I have been reading freerepublic for about a month and every single time i read the articles on this website i become insanely frustrated with the ignorance of not only the writers but the readers' responses. First of all you cannot prove or disprove a religion..AT ALL. ALL religions are conceived of by MAN. Even 3000 years ago people were not stupid. A man who wants to create a following must created a belief on the basis of its own ability to become an acceptable reality. Men who create religions are geniuses. They know that no human is stupid enough to believe there is a God or a religion with no consequences or rules involved. So therefore we have the ten commandments. Therefore budhists are vegetarian. Since the brain of humans became coherent we've known there is no good without bad. What intelligent human being would invent a religion where everything was accepted including murder and rape and thievery and expect to get a large following? From what i gather the person that wrote this and the people commenting on it haven't the faintest idea that religion is completely based on the egoism of man and humanity's fear of the unknown. The only way to actually PROVE that religion is TRUE is for the GOD of that religion to come down and just tell us in his or her or its own omnipotent voice.

[stuartcr]

I will e-mail him, as I have found that it is usually a waste of time to attempt to phone anyone on the radio.

[RetroFit]

"ALL religions are conceived of by MAN"

This seems a bit arrogant to be able to make this claim. It is stated as though it's fact yet this statement itself is unprovable.

"The only way to actually PROVE that religion is TRUE is for the GOD of that religion to come down and just tell us in his or her or its own omnipotent voice."

That's kind of funny. Isn't that what the Christian Bible professes through Jesus? Maybe He needs to come back every few years and shake everyone's hand since that's apparently the only way folks such as yourself "might" believe it. Though, something tells me that wouldn't work either...