No True Scotsman

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Bruce (from dialogue with Roy Casanova):  Some eighty percent of Americans call themselves "Christians" in one form or another,
 
AMANDA: I would say (personally - no, I don't have any survey statistics) that the majority of "Christians" in this world are not going to heaven.  Calling yourself a Christian and living the life of a Christian are two totally different things.  But don't despise Christianity because of some "bad apples", judge it on its own merits.
 
BRUCE:  Oh, is that right?  Well, then, what of 1 John 4:2-3 which states:
 
"The way to recognize the spirit of God is this: every spirit which acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and no spirit is from God which does not acknowledge Jesus.  This is the spirit of the antichrist..."
 
So, Amanda, given that "the majority of 'Christians' " in this world do, in fact, "acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh," then by what rationale do you call your God a liar in claiming that this or that sect are not "true Christians," or that this or that person within this or that sect is not a "True Christian"?  Has it ever occurred to you that maybe it's you who is not a "True Christian"?  There are millions of Christians that would say this based solely on the comments you have expressed in these emails! 
 
Maybe you could clear this simple matter up by defining for me exactly what makes one a "True Christian"(TM)?  And while you're at it, why don't you also show me (with direct Bible quotations--creeds and opinions are useless in this discussion) exactly how one acquires so-called "salvation"!  But when you do so, Amanda, I want you to make sure the scriptural citations you provide do not conflict with any other Biblical passages, okay?  This should be a simple task for someone of your great Biblical expertise . . . <wink> 
 
Bruce:  Just because you buy into the propaganda you have been fed from the pulpits (probably for most of your life), don't presume that that gives you the right to lump me or anyone else in with those theological constructs.
 
AMANDA: Isn't that what you're doing with Christians?  I don't believe that everything that happens on earth is part of some "divine plan", which you obviously think all Christians believe. 
 
BRUCE: Oh, really?  So now you don't consider your God to be all-knowing and all-powerful?  If he is omniscient (i.e., all knowing), then he cannot not know everything that is going to happen!  Do you understand the problem here, Amanda?  You can't have it both ways, darling!
 
Bruce Monson
www.freethoughtfirefighters.org
Adherence to Life BEFORE Death