This whole issue of What Makes Jesus Different raises one more doubt about faith. In a world where pluralism is celebrated, the idea of Jesus being the only way to God seems to incredibly arrogant and one-sided? What about sincere Buddhists and devout Muslims and Jews – and Hindus, who seem more accepting than anyone. Aren’t most religions actually the same – but with a different person giving direction, like Buddha, Mohammed, Moses and the Talmud, Krishna?  What makes Jesus different – or better than the others?

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Think about it; even murderers in Canada have a maximum punishment of life in prison – a place where they are confined, but have 3 meals a day, can get an education, work out, build friendships and watch TV. And yet a God you say is infinitely loving sends people to a place to torture to burn forever – just because they don’t believe in Him. Isn’t that a case of serious overkill?

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In the past, it would appear that the faith of Christians was based on what we didn’t know. There was no other explanation for what exists – so God filled that gap. Now we think that after a massive explosion billions of years ago, earth was flung into space – and everything we see evolved from those primordial conditions. Science is solving the problems of disease, unwanted pregnancies, and all the other problems we face. Isn’t God irrelevant?

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Suffering and evil shatters lives. People who see it or experience it are usually shaken to the core and sometimes refuse to believe in a God who is loving and kind and good. The key question becomes, “If God is good and God is great – how can a Being love people and be powerful enough to stop the suffering – and yet seemingly do nothing? How does a God who is limitless when it comes to power – and also limitless when it comes to compassion and mercy and kindness coexist with AIDS, tsunamis, murder, rape and child abuse? This question has sometimes turned believers into atheists! Is there any rational answer to it?

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It seems pretty clear that, first, the Bible is the main Christian resource when it comes to faith. It also seems clear – at least according to what’s out there that it’s full of mistakes, inconsistencies and crazy stories (eg., a talking snake) A recent book, Misquoting Jesus, written by a former believer says that there are over 100,000 errors in the New Testament alone!  Dan Brown says that Constantine created the current Bible in 300 A.D., discarding other important NT books to solidify his political position. Doesn’t this seriously put into question the trustworthiness of what the Bible has to say?

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