
ididnotconsent
Member
- Mar 16, 2025
- 45
The whole concept of "belief" in the abrahamic religions makes no sense. If you don't believe, it's because it doesn't make sense to you. How can you possibly be damned for following your own conscious?From the perspective of an atheist.
From a Christian theological perspective, Original Sin dictates that all humans are born in a state of sin, which, without redemption, would lead to damnation. However, many Christian denominations believe that infants and innocents who die before reaching an age of moral accountability are granted salvation through God's mercy. This is often seen as a "get out of jail free card" in the sense that they are not held responsible for sin they did not consciously commit.
For those who reach an age of accountability, Christian doctrine typically holds that salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal saviour. This belief is rooted in the idea that Jesus sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity—an act commemorated at Easter. Those who do not accept this salvation are, by many Christian interpretations, condemned to hell.
A key theological issue arises from the Christian understanding of God as omniscient and omnipotent. If God is all-knowing and sees the outcome of every individual's life before it happens, then the concept of free will appears paradoxical. This leads to the idea of predestination: if God already knows who will accept salvation and who will not, then the fate of each person is seemingly predetermined.
An extreme historical example of last-minute salvation is found in the experiences of convicts on Tasmania's west coast. In the brutal penal conditions, some prisoners resorted to murder with the expectation that they would be hanged in Hobart. The rationale was that, before execution, a priest would grant them absolution, ensuring their salvation. This raises questions about the moral and theological consistency of a system where a lifetime of sin can be absolved moments before death.
Christian doctrine varies widely among denominations. Some emphasize grace and mercy, while others stress divine justice and the necessity of faith in Christ. The interpretation of hell also differs: some see it as eternal punishment, others as separation from God, and some even view it metaphorically.
Heaven, traditionally depicted as an eternal existence in God's presence, is sometimes criticized for its portrayal as an eternity spent in worship. This raises existential concerns: would such a state be fulfilling, or could it become monotonous?
Ultimately, belief in sin, salvation, and the afterlife is subjective. If one believes they are destined for hell, that belief shapes their perspective on the afterlife. Christianity offers a framework, but interpretations vary widely, and the logical consistency of its doctrines remains a topic of theological debate.
I hope that helps
This is with the brain god himself gave you by the way.