Re: What Atheists Can't Answer

max.it wrote:
> On Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:00:34 -0700, sdr <sdrodrian@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> wrote:
> 
>> What Atheists Can't Answer
>> By Michael Gerson Friday, July 13, 2007;
>> Page A17 Wa****ngton Post
> 
>>   So the dilemma is this: How do we choose between
>>   good and bad instincts? Theism, for several
>>   millennia, has given one answer: We should
>>   cultivate the better angels of our nature because
>>   the God we love and respect requires it. While many
>>   of us fall tragically short, the ideal remains.
>>
>>   Atheism provides no answer to this dilemma. 
> 
> This is not a dilemma, this is simply freewill.
> 

Besides being based on the principle of freewill, as without freewill 
there could be no sin, Christianity offers the same advice on this 
'dilemma' as most atheists; "Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who 
sin against us." Do onto others as you would have them do onto you, in 
other words. It's not rocket science.

Jesus' thoughts on everyday matters are a good basis for a society, of 
course, which is why Christianity became so attractive to the m*****. He 
believed in a structured society, as opposed to anarchy, but emphasized 
the necessity  for natural justice to prevail. He was a practical and 
revolutionary teacher, and often put common sense ahead of dogma and the 
impositions of religious fanatics. He despised unjust law. He rejected 
the imposition of ancient hierarchies in favor of the astounding idea 
that all men are created equal. His directions gave birth to modern 
social democracy and to the left wing of modern politics, much to the 
disgust of the ruling cl***** of his time, both political and religious. 
In the end, they killed him for it.

Jesus' teaching on ethics and the rule of law don't require a belief in 
God. Never did. That should be as obvious to a Christian as it is to an 
atheist.