Quote:
Originally Posted by calgaryrocks
1. does what this person is saying agree with what Jesus said (note this is assuming the person of Jesus existed and the holy bible includes what he said)
2. do I automatically doubt what they are saying? (this one could be bypassed depending on the situation - miracles etc)
3. Is this person reliable and trustworthy (ie how well do I know them? what is the character history?)
4. Is it likely that what this person is saying is motivated by a personal gain?
5. bring this person to a panel of spiritual elders (because I am not as wise as them, being so young and inexperienced)
if they pass all these, then I would say they actually saying what God told them.
In my opinion these tests do stand the test of time and would be used in any era
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Earlier you used the example of a missionary in regards to your point #4. I find this really interesting. Isn't Christianity and many other religions, when boiled down to the core, based on a motivation for personal gain, i.e. acceptance into 'heaven' and salvation from purgatory?
If so, it could be argued that aetheists behave from an internal moral compass rather than an externally imposed morality. In which case, it could further be argued that religious people should be considered less trustworthy than aetheists.
Or is that a leap of logic?