Letter to a Skeptic

When you state your objections to Christianity, they are organized in such a way that it is obvious that you assume that it's concepts originate in myth. You also pointed out that I state my "opinions" as if they are fact. It seems that we each have our worldviews built on disparate foundations. You have faith in yours, based on a science of material naturalism, and I have mine, based on openminded science that accounts for other possiblilities, and my personal experiences.

Thank you for your willingness to discuss this issue of the ages. Well you may imagine that this type of dialog is what I live for. The Bible says to always be ready to give the reasons for the hope that you have(1 Peter 3:15). The Bible also tells us to study(2 Tim 2:15). Consequently, I have spent my life in study.

As you can see from the above, the life of a christian should be built on knowledge and reason. Conversion must be based on the evidence. That is where faith and belief begin, placed solidly on top of that foundation of the proveable and that reputation for truth and integrity ( Examples: http://www.aish.com/jw/j/48961251.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/12/archaeologists-and-quest-for-sheba-goldmines).

Now, as to your questions, which are of a more philosophical / theological nature.

You asked why does christianity base it's recruitment efforts on fear? I disagree with the first assumption in the question. Christ's efforts on mankind's behalf were based on His great love for us. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He has provided us with an easy, no effort escape through simple belief in Him, that requires no work of our own. He has not sought to terrorize us, but to comfort us in the middle of the pain resulting from our own error. How is this fearmongering? He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

If someone put on watch for the military failed to warn a city's inhabitants of an approaching enemy army, so that they could not escape, wouldn't he be failing to show love and compassion to his fellow citizens? If he warned them as he should would he be guilty of fearmongering? "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezekiel 3:18) It is love and undying concern which motivate His recruitment efforts!

Now to address your resistance to the very idea of hell, I might not be able to be so comforting. Some christians try to change the basic meaning of what hell is by telling themselves, contrary to what the Bible says, that it simply means "destruction", or in other words, ceasing to exist. Jesus spoke more about hell than he did about heaven. He said it is that fire which shall not be quenched (Mark 9:44).

Consider, instead, the only possible alternative to hell. Is it better for God's creation to be held hostage by evil? Where the most violent, bloodthirsty, and selfish would rule forever? The most gentle, compassionate, and giving people would be fodder for the flames of their wars, left to suffer injustice and humilation.

I think I would rather not live in that universe. Instead, I want to inherit the wonder of having the last vestige of pain and death removed from my sight and memory, left only to gaze on true love forever. "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen 18:25)