Posted on 01/03/2018 10:09:34 AM PST by Heartlander
You and I are on the exact same page.
“My very bright son-in-law, Bible college graduate, came out as an atheist.”
My son just graduate with a degree in theology and psychology. His second year iirc he was pretty pissed at his instructors as they tore apart the Bible. He talked with one of our pastors. The pastor said that they tear apart your beliefs (probably your parent’s beliefs) in order for you to have your own beliefs - and the pastor gave him (and us) encouragement that our he would weather the storm.
He did - and is still a strong Conservative and Believer (works youth ministry full time). I’m sorry for your son - but also believe that God’s work is never done. Perhaps he will be the next Lee Strobel! He may very well come out stronger in his faith once this is all said and done.
Josh McDowell was also an atheist, and set out to prove the resurrection was false. After his research he became a believer - and wrote the book “Evidence Demands a Verdict”.
Must have been a pamphlet or the back of one of his books where he described sitting in the back of the lecture hall with his sunglasses on with a hang-over. Me and a buddy went to see one of his lectures at a conference during college. I can’t remember if it was at our college - or maybe “Urbana” - that missionary thing. Anyway - we thought it would be funny to sit up in the back row with sunglasses on and sprawled out across the seats.
The talk was about to begin. Josh came in from the back doors and slumped down next to us - with shades on! “So I guess we’re supposed to listen to this guy and believe in God and stuff?”
We laughed and made sure he knew we were supportive of him - and then he went down and gave his talk.
“...think of whatever it is that you would not want others, in the normal course of events, to do to you, and thus refrain yourself from doing likewise to those others...”
Yes - the Golden Rule is certainly a great idea.
Unless of course one fantasizes about homosexual gang rape in the showers at the I-80 truck stop.
I don't believe that at all. History shows that alliances, especially between natural enemies, are formed out of self interest, not altruism, and last only as long as they are useful for that end.
"why is it necessary to postulate a deity to provide instruction into what is,after all, basic instinct...?"
I don't believe the golden rule is a "basic instinct", again history shows just the opposite. And even if it were true all you are positing is pragmatism not objective morality. Apart from God, if someone whats to violate the golden rule and they prosper from this behavior that what conceivable basis would you have to say that is objectively "wrong"?
‘I don’t believe the golden rule is a “basic instinct”’
what I stated is not the Golden Rule...read it again...
‘History shows that alliances, especially between natural enemies, are formed out of self interest, not altruism’
nothing I posted disputes that point; in fact, it is precisely what I was saying; self interest is dependent upon some level of trust of the other fellow, at least up to the point where an alliance formed from it becomes untenable...if you’re worried the other guy might stab you in the back, which you don’t want, then it is incumbent on you to not do it to him, which he is equally worried about and doesn’t want, in order to effect the alliance...nowhere have I even introduced the concept of altruism...
Appreciate your remarks - thanks!
bkmk
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