Best Arguments FOR Christianity

[Seasanctuary]

Ok, fellow unbelievers, what do you personally consider the best arguments for Christianity? No lampooning, please.

[EvoUK]

Um...



The only arguments I can think of are to do with a historical jesus (the man, not the christ myth), but then that's not really a christian argument par se...

Personally, I find deistic arguments far more convincing- which is why I take more of a weak atheistic stance towards them.

If I think of any good Christian arguments, I'll let you know.

[HRG_new]

Ok, fellow unbelievers, what do you personally consider the best arguments for Christianity? No lampooning, please.

The moral system which is presented in the Gospel, with its strong emphasis on loving and helping each other. A faith which requires for salvation "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked" etc., although they may be "the lowest of my brothers" deserves some admiration.

(Too bad that Paul insisted on salvation by grace)

[MikeWC]

I'm inclined to think that the origin of matter is genuine difficulty for us unbelievers, and when Christians point that out, I rarely see responses from atheists that seem credible.

[EvoUK]

I'm inclined to think that the origin of matter is genuine difficulty for us unbelievers, and when Christians point that out, I rarely see responses from atheists that seem credible.

That's merely a deistic argument- not necessarily a christian one. Any creator(s) could explain it- there's no reason to assume it was theirs, or anyone elses version of god.

[EvoUK]

The moral system which is presented in the Gospel, with its strong emphasis on loving and helping each other. A faith which requires for salvation "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked" etc., although they may be "the lowest of my brothers" deserves some admiration.

(Too bad that Paul insisted on salvation by grace)

Yes, I very rarely seem to manage to get any real form of consensus whether you're saved by works or faith. Personally, I think faith seems to be more important- as non-christians don't get to heaven- regardless how they act.

Personally, the heinous exclusive salvation belief is one of christianities most repugnant.

[Superbug]

That's merely a deistic argument- not necessarily a christian one. Any creator(s) could explain it- there's no reason to assume it was theirs, or anyone elses version of god.

And then you'd have to explain where this creator came from.

[Minnesota]

Well, I actually stopped and gave this one some solid thought, and honestly can't come up with a single one. About as close as I could come is that there have been some very bright people who have bought into Christianity, and perhaps they latched onto some convincing bit of info that I'm missing. But, then there are equally bright people who don't buy Christianity at all.

This isn't to say that the religion doesn't have its pluses or serves a purpose for some, but these are not reasons that would support its claim of truth.

[Archimedes]

Ok, fellow unbelievers, what do you personally consider the best arguments for Christianity? No lampooning, please.

Ad populum. I find it hard to believe that hundreds of millions of fli.. eh people could be wrong.

It's better than brand X. Christianity wins hands down its main competitors among religions: Islam, Paganism, Judaism, Hinduism, etc. If I were to decide that some religion (real religion with prophets and miracles and holy books and crazy nutjob fanatics, not just some 20th century philosophical system) is correct, Christianity would be rather likely to be the one.

[Superbug]

If I had to choose a religion, it would be Buddhism. Buddhists look peaceful.

[Lagomorpha]

I´m with Archimedes;ad populum.

I'm inclined to think that the origin of matter is genuine difficulty for us unbelievers, and when Christians point that out, I rarely see responses from atheists that seem credible.

So christians have this all solved?
Can´t resist such a reply.

[steamer]

Hmm, Not all things that appear false are actually false? No wait, that's lampooning. That Jesus may have existed isn't a huge stretch. Ummm er, This is a hard question.

I once had an experience, while sleeping, where I thought I had left my body. This might have been a vivid dream though.

If you have seen a ghost that could be evidence of an afterlife.

Ok, I got nothing here. I haven't seen a good arguement yet.

[EvoUK]

Ad populum. I find it hard to believe that hundreds of millions of fli.. eh people could be wrong.

Meh- I've found that most of them don't have the first clue about their religion, the history of it, or their holy book and the history of that etc. Sheep is right.

[EvoUK]

When I've asked many christians what they feel is the strongest argument, they've either said "personal experience" (they had an experience and attributed it to the christian god- shows a christian upbringing, or at the very least the product of a christian society).

Another one is merely a deistic argument (design argument- how did we get here etc), which due to their upbringing or society- they attribute to the christian god.

Let me think of other main arguments-

There's the obvious ego one- they can't stand the idea of being an "accident". You don't very often see them admit this, however, it comes over very strongly in any thread where an atheist meaning to life etc comes up. They have to feel they were made for a specific purpose. More of an emotional need than anything.

I'm trying to be as broad as possible- but needless to say I find none of them convincing. Perhaps someone can bring up some more- just in case there were some we didn't consider...

[zorathruster]

The idea that someone can give his life to try and change people:

I know that all you people out there have hate and fear in your heart. It is part of being human. I know you need some way to release it. You need to tear apart something to release that hate and fear. Nothing is more dear to me than my life. If there is no other way for you to stop hating, to release your fear, than to kill something, you may kill that which is dearest to me! After you kill me I want you to remember how crass and hateful you were and I want you to stop doing that. I want you to embrace your fellow man even if he is your enemy. I want you to help the least of your neighbors. When you get to the point of anger and frustration and feel like doing it again, don't. Just remember me and I've already been killed so you don't have to do that again.