How do you decide what to believe?

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I believe the Bible is true. It's my truthometer.

What if you didn't have a Bible?

[Norman]

It makes sense to me that God does not fit human logic.

[Jack Shephard]

For me I say "WWDAD?" What Would Dan Alicea Do? Then I ask "WWBD?" What Would Bono Do?"

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Do you believe what makes sense to you? Do you believe what certain people you trust tell you to believe? Do you believe what makes you feel good? Do you believe what you see?

I tank up on binaural stimuli and smoke the poppy seeds I've scraped off of several Whopper Junior buns (I'm gluten intolerant). Painting half my face with blue henna dye, I charge screaming into one of the local tony malls and over turn the sunglasses kiosks.

This always ends up giving me plenty of time to ponder things philosophically at the county's expense.

[Brad Murphy]

What if you had never been introduced to the Bible? I know some people abhor hypotheticals on here, but sometimes that is the only way to get a specific answer to a question that has been posed.

Scenario: Let's say you are 30 years old, were raised on an island without any religious contact or influences of any sort but somehow knew how to read and could comprehend what you were reading...

Catalyst: You've just been informed that if you do not choose a theology and then subsequently adhere to it, then you will spend eternity in everlasting torment.

Tools:

1. You are presented with one modern day KJV bible (which seems to be the most commonly accepted version, at least until the last decade or so)
2. You are presented with the Koran (not sure how many versions there are of that, so let's assume the most commonly accepted one.)
3. You are presented with the Torah (and someone explains to you that the rules for this theology are different than the rules of people who follow the New Testament)
4. You are presented with the most commonly accepted Buddhist Sutra (if there even is one)

You are told that unfortunately since you have now been exposed to theology, your eternal soul (which you didn't even know existed until a moment ago) is in danger of everlasting torment and you are liable for your choice from this moment on... and if you choose correctly you have a chance at not spending eternity in torment (still only a chance because you may interpret things incorrectly).

Solution: ?

[Timmy]

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

What if you had never been introduced to the Bible? I know some people abhor hypotheticals on here, but sometimes that is the only way to get a specific answer to a question that has been posed.

Scenario: Let's say you are 30 years old, were raised on an island without any religious contact or influences of any sort but somehow knew how to read and could comprehend what you were reading...

Catalyst: You've just been informed that if you do not choose a theology and then subsequently adhere to it, then you will spend eternity in everlasting torment.

Tools:

1. You are presented with one modern day KJV bible (which seems to be the most commonly accepted version, at least until the last decade or so)
2. You are presented with the Koran (not sure how many versions there are of that, so let's assume the most commonly accepted one.)
3. You are presented with the Torah (and someone explains to you that the rules for this theology are different than the rules of people who follow the New Testament)
4. You are presented with the most commonly accepted Buddhist Sutra (if there even is one)

You are told that unfortunately since you have now been exposed to theology, your eternal soul (which you didn't even know existed until a moment ago) is in danger of everlasting torment and you are liable for your choice from this moment on... and if you choose correctly you have a chance at not spending eternity in torment (still only a chance because you may interpret things incorrectly).

Solution: ?
4.

Hit yourself on the head enough times to develop amnesia and then you won't have to choose?

[Timmy]

Brad, you left out the Book of Mormon. Just sayin'.

[Brad Murphy]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Brad, you left out the Book of Mormon. Just sayin'.

Oops! My bad... just watch "Big Love" on Showtime for Mormon theology.

I didn't even want to get into the complexities of once you choose one of the listed choices,then you have to choose one of 7 billion anointed men of God to submit to, each of which will have subtle variations from the other which may be crucial to your salvation...

(this is all how I see religion by the way. lol)

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

Oops! My bad... just watch "Big Love" on Showtime for Mormon theology.

I didn't even want to get into the complexities of once you choose one of the listed choices,then you have to choose one of 7 billion anointed men of God to submit to, each of which will have subtle variations from the other which may be crucial to your salvation...

(this is all how I see religion by the way. lol)

You also forget to list the cult of jfrog.