Questions and Objections

to Christianity

prepared by Daniel and Jennie Keeran, Victoria, Canada

Copyright 2016 Daniel and Jennie Keeran. All rights reserved.

While any or all of this document may be distributed without
alteration, no part may altered to misrepresent the values and
beliefs of the authors.

Printed in the United States of America.

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Dedicated to all who seek to know

Questions and Objections to Christianity

prepared by Daniel and Jennie Keeran, Victoria, BC, Canada

1. You can be a good person without following any

religion.
Christian values have informed western culture to
establish social norms and civil order, and so ones
conscience can be influenced to include social and
culturally approved behaviour. Some behaviours are valued
or devalued (right or wrong) based only upon divine
declaration, e.g. sexual conduct such as bestiality, incest,
and homosexuality, are believed to be wrong. Only
Christianity teaches to love your enemies, and human
value is itself established by the Judeo-Christian belief
that humans are created in the image of God and therefore
everyone possesses equal dignity and worth. Worship of the
Creator is defined as good only by divine declaration.
2. I think you can follow any particular religion and be a
good person.
Different religions are very different in their values,
morals, goals and beliefs. What one religion considers a
good person is very different than another. For
Buddhism, a good person tries to detach themselves even
from relationships, e.g. Buddha left his wife and child to
pursue enlightenment. Hinduism teaches people are reborn
into their caste depending upon their good or bad
behaviour in a previous life. Islam teaches that a good
husband can beat his wife and kill the unbeliever and the
apostate. Christianity teaches family responsibility and
that everyone is made in Gods image so that everyone has
equal dignity and worth.
3. The only important thing is to love and be happy.
Love and happiness are subjective terms. There is no
foundational bases to determine varying levels of
happiness and love without an objective standard. For
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example, It makes me feel good to take advantage of

others. Love and happiness as defined by God are
consistently explained and related in the Bible. Without an
objective standard, there is no standard.
4. Theres too much evidence that the Biblical creation
story is a myth and that the theory of evolution is true.
The days of creation correspond to accepted scientific eras
for the development of the earth. In January of 1987, in
Nature magazine, findings were presented that clearly
showed that all current human DNA originated from one
specific woman. These findings have not surprisingly been
controversial. The theory of evolution makes no claims
about how things came to be, not why. Stephen Jay Gould,
notable evolutionist, said he saw no contradiction between
evolution and theism, and Darwin himself was not an
atheist.
5. I simply cant accept that a book that has been around
for 2,000 years would have no major errors.
* The Dead Sea Scrolls, dating from 263 BC 1AD (using
carbon dating methods) contains every book of the Old
Testament except Esther, and is practically identical to the
Scriptures we have today.
* A miniature scroll containing Numbers 6:24-26, from the
6th century BC is also identical to the Bible today.
* The scribal discrepancies that have been found do not
alter any biblical message or point of doctrine- they are
insignificant errors in spelling and word alterations like
Christ Jesus instead of Jesus Christ.
* The transmission time between the events and the
earliest manuscripts is very small. The earliest manuscript
is dated 110 AD and is identical to the Bible we have today.
* There are thousands of manuscripts from 300 AD to 1,000
AD and over 24,000 ancient manuscripts translated into
Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Gothic, Ethiopic & other languages
all confirming the Scriptures we have today.

6. Christianity is responsible for much suffering such as

the Inquisition and Crusades.
Not all who identify as Christians follow the teachings of
Jesus. Jesus said Love your enemies. Although much evil
has been committed in the name of Christianity, this has
no bearing on the validity of the original teaching. Fanatics
and criminals who perpetuate their crimes are not a
function of religion. Fanatics and criminals would be
present without religion. Churches sometimes attract
psychopaths (people who seek domination and do not
have empathy) and use well-meaning groups of people to
execute their criminal schemes. It would be advisable for
church leaders to be screened for this psychopathy as they
are often drawn to positions of power.
7. There is no scientific evidence that God exists.
In 1964, American astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert
Wilson, earned the Nobel Prize for their accidental
discovery of Cosmic Microwave Backgroud (CMB)
radiation. It was a landmark test that confirmed the
universe had a beginning. Since nothing finite can cause
itself, the logical step is that the universe was caused by
something other than itself - God who is eternal, without
beginning or end. The Big Bang theory says the universe,
including time and space and matter, had a beginning. The
cause of that beginning was therefore other than time or
space, something supernatural.
8. Morality is relative and subjective. There is no absolute
truth.
If morality is relative and subjective, like a democratic
process, without absolutes, but based on people in specific
circumstances, that concept of morality would logically
condone Nazi tortures and the billions murders committed
by the strong against the weak. The existence of God and
the Bible provides the foundation for principles that

support healthy human life and social organization.

9. If you love someone, it follows that you should have sex
with them.
In this day and age the reality is that sex can kill. Having
sex with someone poses abundant physical and emotional
risks. The Bibles guidelines to restrict sex only to married
people (one man + one woman) practically results in a
healthier community. Once you remove Biblical sexual
parameters, there is no logical reason to prohibit group
marriages, incestuous marriages or marriage with animals.
10. Christians waste their mental and physical time and
energy instead of helping the world and others or enjoying
their own lives.
* Christians are mandated by the Bible to help others
especially the poor.
* At the same time, the benefit of this teaching provides
meaning, purpose and hope to their liveswhich itself is
testimony to the validity of God and the Scriptures.
* The Bible instructs Christians to recognize and
acknowledge that everything in their environment is a gift
from God, which optimizes the enjoyment of all things in
their lives.
11. If God is all-loving and all-powerful why is there so
much suffering in the world?
* This is undoubtedly the most difficult question. Why do
the wicked prosper? Why cant God root out all the evil if
He is all-powerful and all good?
3 considerations:
a. If God did root out all the evil, there would be no people
left, as we all do evil.
b. If God did overrule our evil actions we would become
puppets.
c. Most of the suffering is inflicted by people war, drunk
driving, lying, cheating, greed etc. which would not exist if
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people lived by the divine teachings.

* Although we cant fully understand the problem of
suffering, the Bible offers grace, comfort and strength so
that in suffering we may live with hope, dignity and
purpose. Jesus, Gods Son, experienced intense suffering on
the cross, so we can be sure that He understands and cares
about our suffering.
12. I dont know enough to form an opinion. Ive never
thought about it.
In todays world the question about whether to believe in
God or not is not about proof its about why someone
should invest their time and energy in a religion. Whats in
it for me? Does it work? Why should I believe someone
elses version of reality? Dont all faiths have an equally
legitimate claim to truth? Are these questions even
important?
If the Bible is true, and there really is a heaven and hell
and we are suppose to do and believe very specific things,
and if we dont, we could spend an eternity, very
uncomfortably, then, just like taking out an insurance
policy, doesnt it make sense to at least invest the time into
investigation to see if what the Bible claims is true?the
investigation is free and the payoff could be big.
13. I have my own religion and I dont talk about it.
Not talking about religion does not affect the reality of
truth or the existence of God. If you have discovered some
religion that has helped you, why would you not want to
share it and help others with your conclusions? Rational
examination can only strengthen faith if it is true.
14. Christianity is too judgmental.
* While its true that many some people who call
themselves Christians become mean-spirited and
judgmental, it does not follow that Christianity teaches
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them to be so.
* Christians are mandated to talk about their faith with
gentleness and respect-- 1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have. But do this with
gentleness and respect.
* We dont have to agree with others to love and respect
them. Christians are instructed to love everyone their
enemies AND people who dont agree with them.
* Its not necessary for people who dont agree, to hold
animosity toward each other. Just because they disagree
about morality, religious ideas or belief in God, does not
necessarily imply that they should dislike each other.
* There are 2 kinds of judgment: 1) judgment affirming
that a proposition is incorrect or a behavior is wrong and 2)
being judgmental without grace or concern for others and
without respect.
* a person can care about the other while rejecting the
different choices they make.
15. Churches are filled with hypocrites and unfriendly
people.
* The Biblical mandate is for Christians to be honest and
loving. Hypocrites will be held ultimately responsible for
their behaviours. Churches are plagued with the same
power struggles and human foibles as any other
organization made up of humans.
* Any ideology, including Christianity and atheism cant be
confirmed or refuted based solely on the behaviours and
mistakes or failures of its adherents. The issue is the
values and beliefs of the document they believe is true.
16. The Bible is filled with violence and slavery.
* The violence in the Old Testament was a result of Gods
direct command, directly with the people involved under
the old covenant, which no longer exists. The New
Testament, since the death and resurrection of Jesus,
clearly articulates love your enemies which excludes abuse
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of any kind.
* The New Testament contains a specific story of a real life
slave. In the book of Philemon (fie-lee-mon), the master
was instructed by Paul the apostle, to accept Philemon
back into his household, not as a slave, but as a brother.
17. The church is filled with sexual abusers.
* The incidence of sexual abuse is abominable and is
condemned in Scripture. Matthew 18:6: If anyone causes
one of these little onesthose who believe in meto
stumble, it would be better for them to have a large
millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the
depths of the sea.
* Those who cover it up are just as guilty
* In the Catholic church, there exists a systemic problem:
having celibate men, sitting in small cubicles, in close
proximity, while they listen to the sexual confession of
others.
18. People who follow Jesus (who died) and used blood
sacrifices are in a death cult.
* 1 Corinthians 1:18 says For the message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are perishing
* Christians do not worship death, but rather spend their
lives with the hope of eternal life. The story of Jesus
resurrection is unparalleled among other faiths or ancient
stories. A radical New Testament scholar alleges there
were several other dying and rising gods, but David Aune,
specialist in comparative Near Eastern literature at Notre
Dame, concludes:
No parallel to [the resurrection traditions] is found in
Graeco-Roman biography. All the alleged resurrection
stories are filled with unrealistic details with no basis in
historical or archaeological fact.

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19. The Bible was written long after the original

documents.
The first book of the Bible was Galatians, penned by the
apostle Paul in 45 AD only fifteen years after Christ.
When Paul wrote Galatians, the events of the book of Acts
were still very much in progress. He was recording as an
eyewitness. Scholars believe that the documents were
completed by the year 69AD- this is far too short a time for
myth and legend to have crept into the text.
20. How do we know the Bible we use today, is the same as
the original writings?
Although we dont have the original autographs of the New
Testament (or of Plato or Homer or any other ancient work)
we can be very confident that we have the authentic text
accurately transmitted. Our earliest text fragment is from
the gospel of Mark dating from 80-90 A.D,, and a fragment
of John dates back to 110 AD in papyrus P52, currently in
Manchester, England that may well be a first generation
copy. A portion of the book of John reads virtually the same
as the Bible today.
There are over 5600 ancient Greek manuscripts of the New
Testament in libraries, museums, churches & monasteries
around the world. The gap between other ancient document
originals and their copies, like those from Homer, Plato, &
Aristotle are hundreds of years. The gap between the
earliest copies of the New Testament and the originals are
only 30 years. There are 24,970 ancient manuscripts that
strongly support the New Testament we have today. Even
if every Bible and ancient manuscript were burned today,
we would have the entire New Testament (except eleven
verses) because of the 80,000 times it was quoted in
commentaries and letters from that period.

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21. Are the historical details in Scripture supported by

other sources?
There are over 80 personal names and 50 cities contained
in archaeological artifacts and inscriptions discovered in
the Bible lands.
The seal ring of Baruch ben Neriah, named in Jeremiah
36:4 as the scribe of Jeremiah, was discovered.
The Cyrus Cylinder from the Babylonian exile records the
return of foreigners (Jews) to their lands and the building
of their temples as recorded in Ezra 1:1.
For numerous examples see
https://www.academia.edu/459326/BIBLICAL_ARCHAEOL
OGY_DISCOVERIES_AN_ALPHABETICAL_DIRECTORY
22. Can we be sure that the New Testament was written in
the first century?
The original New Testament was written in a specific kind
of Greek called Koine Greek. There are about 500 words in
the New Testament that do not appear in classical Greek.
It was a vocabulary that could not have been invented two
or three centuries later. When these papyri were pulled
from the ancient sands, the fragments of the New
Testament matched the style and vocabulary of the
existing Scriptures, confirming the authenticity and date.
In 2012. a fragment carbon-dated to 80-90 A.D., is from the
gospel of Mark and was discovered in a mummy mask in
Egypt.
23. Sunday morning is my only time off and so I want that
time to relax.
Jesus often withdrew from the crowds: But Jesus often
withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 so He
does understand our need for downtime. We all make
choices about how we spend our time-- Some things have
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short term benefits and others have long term benefits.

Spending time fulfilling Biblical teachings, is something
with eternal rewards.
24. The only reason a person is Christian is because of
where and in what family they were born.
We all have a personal identity, in large part based on our
family of origin. This is normal human behaviour. However
the incidence of people rejecting their family of origin faith
is common. Some religions make it more difficult to
consider another faith e.g. Muslims who convert are
mandated to be killed. But the reality is that we do have
the option to choose.
I identify as a _____________ because I was born that way.
25. I dont like all the rules in Christianity.
The guidelines of the Bible were intended to help us be
happy and healthy. Rules do prevent us from always doing
exactly what we want, but they also keep us safe and
healthy.
26. The Bible is too complicated.
The Bible was written so that anyone can understand it.
The key ingredient is that the reader must be sincerely
seeking the truth and open to understanding. Acts 17:32
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some
of them sneered, but others said, We want to hear you
again on the subject.
27. Im just not interested. I dont care. Im not able to do
more than Im already doing.
We all have 24 hours in a day. What we spend our time on
is our choice. Interest in a subject is not based on time, but
rather on priorities. If someone had evidence of life after
death would you be interested in knowing about it? There

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are answers and the truth is out there. I am available

when you want to discuss it. My email is___________.
28. The Bible says homosexuality is wrong so it cant be
true.
Just because something is widely accepted by the majority
does not verify its accuracy or validity. Based on the
preponderance of evidence, the Bible shows itself to be
inspired by a force outside the universe so that the
pronouncements it makes are not based on human wisdom,
but Gods wisdom.
29. The Bible doesnt condemn homosexuality although
Christians do.
The Bible categorically condemns homosexual behaviour,
not homosexuals. It says that those who engage in it cannot
enter the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the
unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality
Romans 1:21-27 The wrath of God is being revealed from
heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of
people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
.. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him
as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became
futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although
they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged
the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like
a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their
hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies
with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for
a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than
the Creatorwho is forever praised. Amen. Because of this,
God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women
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exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In

the same way the men also abandoned natural relations
with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.
Men committed shameful acts with other men, and
received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
30. I cant believe in a God that tortures people for an
eternity for things they did on earth.
If God is real and if the Bible is true then we must accept
what it says about the afterlife. This includes study about
what the Bible says about hell. Luke 16:22-24 The time
came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to
Abrahams side. The rich man also died and was buried. In
Hades (place of the dead), where he was in torment, he
looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his
side. So he called to him, Father Abraham, have pity on
me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water
and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.
Its important to remember that just because we dont
believe something does not mean that it doesnt exist. If the
afterlife could possibly result in eternal punishment, it
makes sense that this claim suggests a priority for careful
contemplation. If there is no ultimate accountability after
death, one can be clever and powerful enough to commit
heinous acts with impunity.
31. If I am not all-knowing, then there is no all-knowing
being.
If you struggle with this question, you might need to
consider whether you have a problem with arrogance.
32. I cant believe that people who have not heard about
Jesus would be lost forever.
After considering the preponderance of evidence about the
qualities of God revealed in all aspects of the Bible,
Christians trust that God will be fair and merciful to
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everyone in the final judgment. Here is a prayer that

expresses that sentiment:
Lord grant mercy to all who, through no fault of their own,
are unable to fully believe and obey all you have revealed.
We all have fallen short and need Gods mercy to be saved.
33. I dont believe because of my life experience.
Life experiences, especially negative ones, often skew a
persons ability to assess the truth about God. If a person
has a positive relationship with someone who believes or
doesnt believe it profoundly affects their perspective. For
example, I loved my Grandmother so much and she was an
atheist, so she must be right.
34. I dont believe that anyone has the right to tell me what
I can and cant do (including God).
If it can be concluded, using logic and the preponderance of
evidence that God did create the universe and inspire the
Word of God, then He does have the right to tell us what to
do. It makes logical sense that we should let our intellect
overcome our personal, emotional desire for pride and need
for control. His love for us is evidenced by His actions, thus
meriting our trust.
35. I believe that morality is dependent on the person and
circumstances (situational ethics)
Everyone agrees that eating live babies is wrong which
means there are absolutes. When morality is dependent on
the circumstances it means we accept a paradigm that
opens the door for circumstances like Nazi Germany when
it was accepted by the majority of the leadership to kill and
torture.

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36. I dont believe in the existence of evil, sin or the devil,

so I dont believe in God.
The Bible defines good, evil, sin and Satan. If the Bible is
unreliable then the parameters of right and wrong are also
true. Just because we dont believe in something does not
validate its reliability or truth.
37. Jesus popularity is explained by the Jewish
expectation/hope for a rescuer (Messiah) from Roman
occupation.
The Messiah was foretold in detail in numerous instances
written many centuries before their fulfillment in the life of
Christ. The Messianic hope is of divine origin.
38. All religions teach basically the same thing.
Religions very widely in what they teach. The Quran
authorizes holy wars, polygamy, concubines and wife
beating. Hinduism has lusting gods and goddesses, a caste
system that discriminates against the poor and that all
suffering is the result of evil actions in previous lives
(blame the victim). Buddhists teach that suffering is unreal
and that we should live a life of detachment. Buddha
abandoned his wife and child. Christianity is very different
in that they teach that we should love our neighbours as
ourselves and is the only major religion that has a
resurrected God and the teaching to love your enemies.
39. Theres no proof that Jesus died or was resurrected.
* The death and resurrection of Christ was prophesied by
Isaiah 53 and by David in Psalms __ The details of the
resurrection are documented in six independent biblical
sources as well as two non Biblical sources: 1 Clement
96AD & Polycarp 110 AD.
* If the resurrection did not happen then it means that
Jesus and all the writers of the New Testament were either
lying, crazy or -------telling the truth.
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* That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical

can ever be from John Dominic Crossan, a skeptical
scholar.
* Jesus execution was referred to in several extrabiblical
sources such as Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian, Talmud and
Mara Bar-Serapion
The existence of those named in the death narrative of
Jesus, has been confirmed by archaeology: an inscription of
Pontius Pilate was discovered in Cesarea Philippi, and the
family crypt of Caiaphas was discovered in Jerusalem.
40. Is there any evidence of Jesus life outside of Scripture?
Anti-Christian Roman historians, Tacitus and Mara Bar
Serapion, mention the execution of Christ. Thallus and
Phlegon were Greek historians who mention the hours of
darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus.
41. Jesus is just another prophet. Mohammed is more
recent and therefore more up to date and true.
Muhammed taught to kill your enemies as well as anyone
who leaves Islam. Jesus taught to love your enemies and to
be gentle with those who oppose the message about Christ.
42. The prophecies about Jesus were written after His life.
*The prophecies about Jesus, in Isaiah 53 are found in the
most complete scroll of the Dead Sea scrolls. Pieces of the
scroll have been carbon-14 dated at least four times, giving
date ranges between 335-324 BC and 202-107 BC.
* The prophecies about Jesus include, among many others:
a. his birth would be in Bethlehem,
b. betrayal by his friend for 30 pieces of silver and suicide
of the betrayer,
c. the manner of his death including piercing of his hands
and feet,
d. parting of his garments,

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e. words of the mockers at his crucifixion,

f. his burial in a rich mans tomb and his resurrection.
43. The fulfillment of prophecies concerning Jesus were
written to make the prophecies come true.
The large number of detailed prophesies are too numerous
and varied for their fulfillment to have been invented.
44. Isnt God in everything and consequently, everything is
in God? Therefore every person is god?
In a sense, everything is a result of the action of God. The
God of the Bible appears to be described as an individual
person or Trinity (Father, Son & Spirit) separate from the
created universe and described as having self awareness as
well as emotions and will. Individual human beings pray to
God as one who is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
45. Isnt God just part of our life source or force which is in
all things?
God is not synonymous with the created universe but is
separate and the source and creator of the universe.
46. I believe in Karma we all get what we deserve, based
on how we have treated people in the past.
The idea of Karma makes children responsible for their
lives of suffering because of things they did in a previous
life which is a blame the victim philosophy.
47. I believe that God is a nice warm feeling or sense of awe
like one has while watching a sunset or walking in the
forest.
God provides good gifts to human beings and so a
distinction is made between the giver with the gift and only
the gift that brings nice warm feelings.

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48. Why should we worship a Christian God rather than

any other idols?
The Christian God has communicated His existence
through many lines of evidence including:
historical/archaeological, Messianic prophecies, medical/
biological evidences, linguistic evidence, oceanographic/
geographic, cosmological/astronomical
49. Why cant I be spiritual and not follow any organized
religion or system of belief?
True spirituality is defined by the divine declaration
through the words of God made known by people who were
guided by the Holy Spirit.
Other organized religions teach contradictory ideas:
* love your enemies vs. kill your enemies
* put others before yourself vs. detach yourself from others
* there is one life followed by final judgment vs. one lives
many lives and there is no final judgment
* there is one God vs. there are many gods vs. there is no
god
* God is a creator God vs. each person is god
* being part of a spiritual community vs. being
spiritual by oneself alone.
50. Did God create the universe then step back and watch
without intervention?
The promise of scripture is that God hears and answers
prayer. The Bible teaches: The prayer of a righteous person
is powerful and effective. (James 5:16).
51. I dont see any evidence of anything outside the
material world.
Some things are accepted as real but are not material: love,
justice, compassion, music, thoughts, happiness, emotions.

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52. Faith contradicts science and reason.

Faith says the cause of the universe is other than the
universe. Science, with the big bang theory, says the cause
of the universe is other than the universe. These are not
contradictory statements. Faith says that the order of the
appearance of life forms was plants, followed by animals,
which the same thing science says with the theory of
evolution. Science talks about how things work, while
faith talks about why. These are not contradictory.
Although he did not believe in a personal caring God, in the
year of his death in 1955, the universally admired scientist
Albert Einstein clarified his formerly ambiguous views:
"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the
illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight
details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble
minds. That deeply emotional conviction of the presence of
a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the
incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God"
(Calaprice, ed., The Quotable Einstein, pp.195-6).
53. Christians do not give you time to come to their god on
your own. They constantly shove their beliefs and the Bible
down your throat, and if you are still questioning, they
have to constantly remind you that hell is near.
It is a Christian's right, and some say even obligation, to
express faith in God and to believe there will be hell for
many after death. Christians are also taught to be gentle
and respectful toward others which includes valuing the
boundaries of others who say they do not want to discuss
Christian beliefs, e.g., saying: "I value your boundaries,
and I am available to talk about faith when you are ready."
54. The idea of God is invented by human societies and for
the purpose of maintaining social order.
Certainly the values and beliefs of faith contribute to social
order: prohibiting theft, assault, perjury, and more. There
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is science to show that the desire to believe in God and to

worship God, is hard-wired into human genes (see God
Gene, Dean Hamer). Every human civilization has
produced artifacts indicating worship of a deity.
55. The teachings of Jesus are not relevant for today.
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew: chapters 5-7)
ch5- Psychological Well-Being
3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they
will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the
merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Relevance: The values and qualities of Jesus followers
contribute to harmonious and compassionate relationships.
ch5- Social Teachings
13 let your light shine before others, that they may see
your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven....
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will
certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Relevance: Humanitarian acts should be done to glorify
God rather than self.

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ch5- Peace and Nonviolence

21-25 You have heard that it was said to the people long
ago, You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will
be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is
angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.
Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, Raca, is
answerable to the court. And anyone who says, You fool!
will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are
offering your gift at the altar and there remember that
your brother or sister has something against you, leave
your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be
reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Settle
matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to
court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your
adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge
may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown
into prison.
Relevance: Avoiding anger and name-calling, is central to
conflict resolution; seek peace in relationships and settle
matters out of court to avoid maximum consequences.
ch5- Psychological Well-Being
27-28 You have heard that it was said, You shall not
commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a
woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her
in his heart.
Relevance: This is an important key sexual management
principle to prevent sex addiction, prevalent today e.g.
through internet pornography.
31-32 It has been said, Anyone who divorces his wife must
give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you that anyone
who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes
her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a
divorced woman commits adultery.

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Relevance: This principle supports family security and

integrity especially important for healthy child
development.
ch5- Social Teaching
33-37 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all...All you
need to say is simply Yes or No....
Relevance: Personal honesty is fundamental to basic trust
essential to personal, professional, and business
relationships in society.
ch5- Peace and Nonviolence
38-41 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone
slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek
also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt,
hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one
mile, go with them two miles.
43-45 You have heard that it was said, Love your
neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you
may be children of your Father in heaven.
Relevance: The teaching of nonviolence and nonretaliation
in personal relationships is key to a harmonious family and
community and central to resolving conflict.
ch6- Social Teaching
1-4 Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front
of others to be seen by them... But when you give to the
needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.
Relevance: This concept promotes a selfless sincere motive
in generosity, and in prayer vs.5-8, and in fasting vs.16-18.
9-13 This, then, is how you should pray: ...And forgive us
our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors....

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Relevance: This basic principle is the foundation of

personal lending: forgive the debts of those who cannot pay
you back.
ch6- Peace and Nonviolence
14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against
you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you
do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive
your sins.
Relevance: Forgiving others is highly valued.
ch6- Social Teaching
19-24 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth...But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one
and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Relevance: Value service to God by caring for the poor;
build wealth for serving others rather than self.
ch6- Psychological Well-Being
25-34 ...do not worry about your life.... Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Relevance: A key remedy for anxiety is to live each day at a
time; live in the present. Plan for tomorrow but dont worry
about it.
ch7- Peace and Nonviolence
1-5 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same
way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you. (John 8:7
He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to
throw a stone at her [adulterous woman).

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Relevance: Judgment of others will result in judgment in

return; be nonjudgmental and reduce conflict.
ch7- Social Teachings
7-12 So in everything, do to others what you would have
them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the
Prophets. (See also Luke 10:27 Love your neighbour as
yourself; Matthew 25:31-46 For I was hungry and you
gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a
stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you
clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison
and you came to me... as you did it to one of the least of
these my brothers, you did it to me.)
Relevance: Reaching out to those in trouble is service to
God.
See more here
https://www.academia.edu/15261375/Psychological_and_So
cial_Teachings_of_Jesus

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About the Authors

Daniel and Jennie Keeran reside in Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada and welcome all comments, questions, and additional
suggestions emailed to collegemhc@gmail.com They invite the reader
to learn more about how to become a Christian at
www.box.com/lovegod

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