The Romans could not understand the communion or Eucharist and assumed there was cannibalism happening. This may have derived from Christian language concerning the Eucharist. There several other charges that were brought against Christians during this period. Any activity that the Christians participated in was perceived as a threat to the Roman government. Justin Martyr was one of the most important Apologists of the second century.
There are some that criticize the Biblical Christian worldview because they see Christianity as being mythical. As a Christian I was taught to walk by faith and not by sight. That concept is very difficult for some to grasp because if they cannot see, touch, or taste it then it doesn't exist. I feel having science along with the God's grace leading the way you have the best case
Ward believes religion to be existential. However, not everyone shares my opinion. Richard Swinburne used the principle of Occam’s razor to illustrate that Aquinas’ Cosmological Argument has value for religious faith. Occam’s razor says that the simplest answer is the best one, and as God is the simplest answer for the first cause, it is the best one. Denys Turner makes the point that Aquinas is misread, he says that Aquinas is just clarifying the existence of God for people who already believe rather than in an attempt to persuade non-believers.
Most devout Christians would take offense if someone claimed that the story that proves their existence is in fact a myth. A myth is not just some story to the people, but rather a truth. They forget that a story can be false. According to the text Exploring Religion, “Myths are distinguishable from other forms of sacred stories in that they are more fabulous than realistic, more imaginative than factual, and more evocative than analytical” (Schmidt 185). Myths help us to make sense of things, and also give us purpose.
The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was one of the early founders of existentialism. Although Kierkegaard was a devout Christian, he rejected the Christian Church due to its legalistic nature and the false relationship that people were receiving with God as a result. Kierkegaard believed that the key relationship of an individual was with God. He argued that God has given people freedom to make their own decisions and therefore our decisions are not determined. He thought that our existence is not something determined rationally or part of an on-going process but that it is something specific which is created through the choices we make.
Thus becoming the cultural norm of our present day existence. However, the understanding of the authority of the written Word of God, has been lost to some groups, who believe that it is ok to do “whatever they feel like doing,” without any respect to the order that has been laid down by God and established by the laws of the states. These laws are presently being threatened by various groups that wish to promote their lifestyle and as the bible says, would hope to “change the truth of God into a lie.” The truth is committing adultery, homosexuality, pornography, incestuous relationships, and any other form of unnatural use of the body, including fornication, goes against the fabric of our society and causes tremendous tears that disturb the core of
Atheist may feel their punishment is complete once they served their sentence, but since Christians believe taking someone’s life is committing a sin; they therefore question the likelihood of their soul entering into heaven. This principle held by Christians lays a greater feeling of sorrow for their decisions. Many people have been raised upon the idea of what is right or wrong, but it is evident that not everyone can come to an agreeable term. The religious and nonreligious laws have affected the decisions one would make. Yet, the history of a person’s background will determine the feelings they have towards their own
When a religious group promotes hate for selected persons it recruits others for a cause clocked in the ways of ‘The Lord’. Religion is supposed to be a positive spiritual motivator, not a tool to attack and banish people. The leaders of such groups are using the words of the Bible to influence others to see homosexuals as filth that needs to be eradicated. They do not see that these homosexuals are just like any average person. Their sexual orientation does not dictate the kind of person they are.
Same sex marriage is an argument of civil liberties, but it also links to religions. Many Christians refuse to support gay marriage and argue that it is a violation in God’s words. However, Katha Pollit and Charles Colson in their essays show different points of view about gay marriage, providing a variety of types of evidence that support
Secular humanist feel that religion is really a negative thing because it gives you rules to follow therefore you never really follow your deepest desires. The one thing Christians and secular humanist have in common is that they both look for the good in everyone that no one is truly bad. Atheistic Existentialism is very different from Christianity in almost every way. Christian feels that we as humans have purpose and are on this Earth to follow whatever path God has for us. However, Atheistic Existentialism sees humans and even themselves as nothing but matter and to me it is completely sad that they have no faith or feeling of value.