I just began reading "Christianity and the Crisis of Culture" by BXVI (Just finished "On the Way to Jesus Christ, it is amazing, READ IT!)
Anyways, I just read the introduction and Marcello Pera, the person who wrote the introduction, comments on one of the things the Pope says. Back in the day, it was said that we should act in a way even if God did not exist, but that we must now live as if God did exist.
The former is a Pascalian view of the world...it is better to act even if God does not exist, it is a better wager.
But the Pope challenges us differently because the world has changed since the time of Pascal. The Pascalian view is no longer valid in a world that no longer believes in God. If you tell them to act even if God did not exist, they would put you to the side, because they would say that God indeed does not exist.
This new proposition being made now is fundamentally different. The challenge to the world is "Act as if God does exist". This is a more positive view of Pascalian way, but does have it's subtle differences for the better.
Mr. Pera puts the challenge that this is what we are to propose to the world, that they ought to act in a manner as if God does exist, and that this is the proposition to make to those outside the Church.
My question is, however, how is this possible? How can we convince people that this is a proper view of the world and one that is reasonable enough that one would be willing to live by it regardless of what they believed.
Please let me know what you think.
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2 comments:
What good does it do the non-Christian that I tell to act as if God exists if they continue to not believe in Christ? People who act as if God exists yet don't believe in the saving power of Christ are still going to hell...so how have I helped them?
I believe it is more important to focus on showing someone Christ. Once they believe in Christ he will change their actions. That is the way it worked with me and so many I know.
Hi, Im from Melbourne Australia.
The fact of the matter is that Christianity is just another man-made and entirely self-serving, would be world conquering, and power seeking ideology.
It has been an integral part of the western imperialist project (with its drive to total power and control) ever since it was coopted by the Roman state.
Please check out these Spiritually Informed related references on Religion, Culture and politics.
1. www.dabase.org/restsacr.htm
2. www.dabase.org/coop+tol.htm
3. www.dabase.org/2armP1.htm#ch2
4. www.dabase.org/noface.htm
6. www.dabase.org/proofch6.htm
6. www.beezone.com/AdiDa/jesusandme.html
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