Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mike_decock · 04-09-2003, 08:07 AM

Let's say you are married and you decide you want to have a child. Before you conceive, you are granted knowledge of the future. You know beyond a doubt that having a child at this point in time will result in the child rejecting Christianity and going to Hell.

Would you still conceive or choose not to?

-Mike...

Rhea · 04-09-2003, 08:18 AM

Mike, I think you need a longer "pause" between paragraphs 2 and 3.

(edited to not give away what Mike edited)

mike_decock · 04-09-2003, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rhea
Mike, I think you need a longer "pause" between paragraphs 2 and 3.

You're right. I just deleted the secondary questions. I can ask them if I get responses.

-Mike...

wildernesse · 04-09-2003, 08:59 AM

If I were shown the future, and shown beyond all doubt that my child would go to a literal, crispy-critter hell--then I don't think I would try to conceive.

However, I think that if I were shown that an eternal crispy-critter hell existed beyond a shadow of a doubt for people whose fault was that they specifically did not believe in Christianity, I don't think that I would continue being a Christian. Could I really admire/worship/love something whose love is more limited than my own?

--tibac

mike_decock · 04-09-2003, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wildernesse
However, I think that if I were shown that an eternal crispy-critter hell existed beyond a shadow of a doubt for people whose fault was that they specifically did not believe in Christianity, I don't think that I would continue being a Christian. Could I really admire/worship/love something whose love is more limited than my own?

That eternal crispy-critter hell is what most Christians seem to believe in and they continue to admire/worship/love God. I was never able to understand that.

I appreciate your input.

-Mike...

fatherphil · 04-09-2003, 09:37 AM

maybe. i can be very weak at times and am certainly smart enough to figure out ways to justify my weaknesses.

Rhea · 04-09-2003, 10:54 AM

What do you mean? It would be weak to choose not to conceive?

Angrillori · 04-09-2003, 06:18 PM

Funny that there aren't responses here.

Do you think that xians have some idea where this is going and are hiding?

mike_decock · 04-09-2003, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angrillori
Do you think that xians have some idea where this is going and are hiding?

I have yet to find a Christian who will give an unqualified answer this simple question. I think it's emotionally very disturbing to have to answer either yes or no if you believe in a literal Hell (even if you don't, it's still pretty troubling).

-Mike...

Godot · 04-09-2003, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike_decock
Let's say you are married and you decide you want to have a child. Before you conceive, you are granted knowledge of the future. You know beyond a doubt that having a child at this point in time will result in the child rejecting Christianity and going to Hell.

Would you still conceive or choose not to?

-Mike...

But wouldn't foreknowledge of future events paradoxically assist you in their prevention?

Even if I was a xian, the choices made in life by another are not within my providence. Therefore, I'd conceive the little hellspawn. Besides, you could argue that not conceiving the child knowing the choices it would make down the road is in itself a form of infanticide (embryocide?).

04-09-2003, 08:07 AM	#1
mike_decock Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,505	A question for the Christians: Let's say you are married and you decide you want to have a child. Before you conceive, you are granted knowledge of the future. You know beyond a doubt that having a child at this point in time will result in the child rejecting Christianity and going to Hell. Would you still conceive or choose not to? -Mike...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-09-2003, 08:18 AM	#2
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	Mike, I think you need a longer "pause" between paragraphs 2 and 3. (edited to not give away what Mike edited)

04-09-2003, 08:59 AM	#4
wildernesse Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,578	If I were shown the future, and shown beyond all doubt that my child would go to a literal, crispy-critter hell--then I don't think I would try to conceive. However, I think that if I were shown that an eternal crispy-critter hell existed beyond a shadow of a doubt for people whose fault was that they specifically did not believe in Christianity, I don't think that I would continue being a Christian. Could I really admire/worship/love something whose love is more limited than my own? --tibac

04-09-2003, 09:37 AM	#6
fatherphil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: burbank Posts: 758	maybe. i can be very weak at times and am certainly smart enough to figure out ways to justify my weaknesses.

04-09-2003, 10:54 AM	#7
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	What do you mean? It would be weak to choose not to conceive?

04-09-2003, 06:18 PM	#8
Angrillori Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: A world less bright without WinAce. Posts: 7,482	Funny that there aren't responses here. Do you think that xians have some idea where this is going and are hiding?

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.