– – – – – Charles TempletonIs it not foolish to close ones eyes to the reality that much of the Christian faith is simply impossible to accept as fact?And is it not a fundamental error to base ones life on theological concepts formulated centuries ago by relatively primitive men who believe that the world was flat, that Heaven was “up there” somewhere, and that the universe had been created and was controlled by a jingoistic and intemperate deity who would punish you forever if you did not behave exactly as instructed?Is it not likely that had you been born in ______ you would be _____ as _____ people do, and believe ______.
- Cairo ; Muslim ; 840 million ;
…believe that “there is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet - Calcutta ; Hindu ; 650 million
…accept the Vedas and the Upanishads as sacred scripture; and hope in some future to dwell in Nirvana? - Jerusalem ; Jew ; 13 million
…believe that Yahweh is God and …the Torah is God’s word? - Peking ; Buddha or Confucius or Lao-Tse ; millions
- USA ; Christian ; …because your parents were before you?
How could a loving Heavenly Father create an endless Hell and, over the centuries, consign millions of people to it because they do not or cannot or will not accept certain religious beliefs? And having done so, how could he torment them forever?
How can one believe in the biblical account of the creation of the world in six days?
Is it possible to believe that the Creator of the universe would personally impregnate a Palestinian virgin in order to facilitate getting his Son into with world as a man?
Is it possible for an intelligent man or woman to believe that God fashioned the first human male human being from a handful of dust and the first woman from one of the man’s ribs?
…I can go on.