pajarito

The bird is simply trying to preserve its mate in order to propogate his genes. That is most definitely an instinct. My example included a person you don't even know and your desire to help that person. There is also danger to your own life in doing so and your own self-preservation kicks in. Something inside you, however, makes you suppress those instincts and do what is right. That's your conscience. Kind of like heroism in battle. You don't teach that. The "discredit the author" tactic seems to be popular here. C.S. Lewis was a very objective and logical thinker. He used to be an atheist. Just because he's now a Christian, he's now got "an agenda."

Yep. You got me on that one. Never said I could spell very well.

Wait. Here's the rest of the story. It's not just a matter of believing in Jesus. Many believe in Jesus but don't follow him (that includes many who sit in church every Sunday). Satan himself “believes” in Jesus. You can't just take a "get out of jail free card" and continue to sin without worrying about repercussion. Doesn't work that way. If one continues in a pattern of sin, he/she needs to seriously consider whether their conversion was sincere in the first place. What is required is that one must repent of their sin and trust in Jesus as their Lord and savior (born again of the spirit). Once that happens (true repentance in the heart), Jesus gives you a new heart with new desires. You will be compelled to do good and attempt to follow God's moral law the best you can. Doesn't mean you won't sin anymore. You're still human with a selfish nature which is now in a process of change. Just means you don't take pleasure in it and try not to. It's the difference between floating down the river of sin or swimming against the current. From then on, the good works you do is representative of Christ living in you and not of yourself. You’ve been given a lifetime of second chances. Problem is you don’t know how long your lifetime will be. You could die on your next jump and it will be too late.

C.S. Lewis gave an example in his book “Mere Christianity” describing the difference between humans and the animals with regard to morality. He was speaking of the idea that our morality originates entirely from a “herd instinct” which developed over time instead of being imprinted on our hearts by God from the time we were born. He said: I say that our conscious is a primary indicator that we possess a soul. The knowledge of right and wrong (e.g. sheet of music) has been imprinted on our hearts by God from the beginning. Whether we choose to do what we ought to do is a different matter. However, given the example above, I don’t think it is logical to assume that this conscious developed by some means of evolution. I think it gives us the ability to sense that we will continue on after our physical bodies die (e.g. soul).

Does that bother you at all? Would you sell your eye for a million dollars? I suspect not. How much more is your eternal soul worth?

Depends. Islam is a works based religion. They can't even tell you themselves if their salvation is secure based on their requirements. You constantly wonder, "Am I good enough" when in reality, no one lives up to God's standard of goodness.

God would be completely justified in sending me straight to hell based on the fact that I've broken his moral law more times than I can count. It's as if I'm standing in front of a judge who's about to pass sentence on me. I'm already guilty. That is obvious when shown the law. My penalty is a fine which I'm not capable of paying, therefore, I'm going to jail for the rest of my life. I plead with the judge and tell him that I'm really a good person, that I'm sorry and that he should let me go free based on my remorse. However, he is a just judge and must punish my crime whether he likes me or not. Just before passing sentence, someone I don't even know walks in and pays my fine in full. The judge is then able to let me go because justice has been served. In answer to your question, I am not going to hell. I'm going to heaven. Not because I'm a good person but because I'm a bad person who's been forgiven. Jesus Christ suffered and died on a cross to purchase my soul.

So, if what the Bible says is true, you're going to hell, correct?

Same reason I don't believe in the Tooth Fairy. You didn't answer my question. Are you a good person?

There are a lot of those out there. Mostly on TV.

What makes you think it's not a legitimate offer? Just because the money isn't his personally? Santa Clause is ficticious and irrelevant in this conversation. So is the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy. We're having a grown up conversation here. Not telling children's stories.

So bow up, get yourself a lawyer, and go collect your money if you've got all the answers you need from evolution. He's just a quack. Go take his money. It's a real offer.

Now that's an in-depth analysis... Real "Free-thinker."

You sound like you could really bank on this offer: REWARD!!!

Ditto. I believe that was the point in question. Easy one...

It's useful to know where someone is coming from. I'm not afraid to say for myself. I think that it is disingenuous otherwise. Lawyers are good at that, though. I guess that’s a big reason why I could never be one. I did before. So did others. It's well established and belief that he didn't exist is a fringe notion.

Nightingale, do you believe that Jesus never existed?

Why would I need to? Added: By the way, you asked me this exact question probably 1 or 1 1/2 years ago. We went through it in detail and multiple extra-Biblical accounts of his existence were given. Why do you ask again?

Agree 100%

There is nothing you have done or will do that can even possibly exhonerate you and provide your opportunity to go to heaven.

It just blows my mind that people who buy into that enormous pile of crap in your attachment use the term "free thinker" to describe themselves.

Your assumption of having to suspend rational thought in order to believe in God has no basis.

I'm sure.

Do you have anything rational to add or just insults?

Matthew 24:36-44