Jamie_L

I was talking with a non-aligned theist friend (he believes in a roughly Christian concept of God, but doesn't practice any particular religion). I explained to him that I didn't really fear the possibility of being wrong in my atheism, because, clearly if God wanted me to not be an atheist, I wouldn't be. And if he's really benevolent and forgiving, then he'll forgive me. His response was: "Well, what if you die and meet God and he says, 'Sorry, Jamie, rules are rules.'"

I didn't reply immediately, but I've thought about it a bit since, and my conclusion is this: If God is really a stickler for rules, we're all screwed. Because, it seems that no one really knows what the rules are.

There's all these thousands of religious sects in Christianity alone, and then all these other religions. God himself clearly does not go around making appearances to explain the rules. Sure, you could argue that some group or another actually has all the actual rules, but that seems unlikely. People are fallible, God's not saying anything one way or the other, it seems more likely everyone is wandering around in the dark equally, rather than everyone but one special group. Of course, everyone thinks they're part of that group.

So, it seems to me like it should be a truely frightening concept to believe God has some set of rules by which to judge people, with no exceptions, exclusions, or forgiveness. How can people so blithely accept such a concept. My friend is clearly not the model Christian: pre-marital sex, not going to church, using birth control (if you believe the Pope), yadda, yadda, yadda.

Rules are rule? Yikes! Guess I'll have a lot of company in Hell. Like everybody.

Jamie

penumbra

I'll save you a warm seat, Jamie!

(and I'm sure we'll be in good company)

A staunch Lutheran friend of mine once said that he often envied atheists, because he was sure they wouldn't have to share heaven with Catholics.

Bible Humper

Muahaha! Hey Amos, did you hear that?

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