Hi, Phat.
Phat writes:
In other words, if we say that the world is in a mess due to Original Sin and figure that nothing will ever really improve until Jesus comes back, is that an abdication of our responsibility as members of the human race?
I've met many grumpy, pessimistic Christians. Even the ones who are happy all the time because "the Truth has set them free": these are also pessimistic. Those Christians who believe there is any hope for making the world better are, in my experience, a minority: most believe that corruption and decay are inevitable.
I have always disliked the idea of original sin. The whole point of the idea is to convince us that we're hopelessly lost, and that God is the only one who can save us.
So, yes, it definitely puts the onus on God to fix everything, and gives us an excuse to still feel good about ourselves, even when we're not really trying to fix it ourselves.
What always baffles me is that these same people who are perfectly content shunting their own responsibilities onto God, very readily scowl at atheists and accuse them of using evolution or subjective morality as an excuse for bad behavior.
But, even assuming they're right, what's the difference?
The biggest difference that I see is that we Christians, in general, believe we will be allowed to partake of eternal happiness, despite our bad behavior, while atheists feel that rewards should only be given when they are fully deserved.
I find this to be very condemning to us as a religion in general.
Whatever God intended for us, I certainly can't imagine why He would want to reward us for being lazy, pessimistic and needy.
-Bluejay (a.k.a. Mantis, Thylacosmilus)
Darwin loves you.
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