Is it okay to renounce Christ if it'll save your life?

[HK]

Someone raised this on another forum and I thought it was an interesting question.

This person, her husband is military and stands a possibility of being captured by the enemy while he's in foreign countries. Apparently he asked her, if they told him to renounce Christ or be killed, what she'd prefer he do.

They are fervently Christian people, but her answer still surprised me - she would rather he die with his loyalty to God intact, so that they can then spend eternity in heaven together.


I suggested that, surely he could just lie and say he was giving up his religion so they'd let him live, and then come back to his family. Wouldn't God know if you mean it or not? Apparently refusing to even pretend to give up your faith is quite a big deal, even if it would save your life.


So, what would you do in that situation? Lie and risk eternal damnation, or refuse knowing it was going to cost you your life?

 

[Zorak]

In the 11th-12th Century, during the Crusades; if you were captured, generally the only way to save your life and be eligible for ransom was to renounce Christianity/Islam. I've never read of anybody who did.

 

[Minor Axis]

Regarding the OP, I would if it means I'd avoid torture and death. God knows where I stand.

 

[Panacea]

Quite a gamble, eh? I'd like to think a god would be able to handle the ego blow of having someone renounce it to save his/her life, but that's not very fundie of me, is it?

 

[Minor Axis]

Quite a gamble, eh? I'd like to think a god would be able to handle the ego blow of having someone renounce it to save his/her life, but that's not very fundie of me, is it?

If this is something God would focus on, I'd have to give it more credit then that. You can say anything, but if God is the superior being we give it credit for being, I don't think it requires acknowledgement in any public way nor does it expect you as an individual to sell a dogma to other humans. It would just want us all to find our way, not by words, but by actions.

 

[fuel1316]

id renounce him for a ham sammich.

 

[Panacea]

If this is something God would focus on, I'd have to give it more credit then that. You can say anything, but if God is the superior being we give it credit for being, I don't think it requires acknowledgement in any public way nor does it expect you as an individual to sell a dogma to other humans. It would just want us all to find our way, not by words, but by actions.

I would tend to agree, but I suppose one in this situation (someone more fundamental, literal) may say we cannot make god whatever we want it to be, that the bible clearly states what god wants....you'll burn in hell for renouncing god.

 

[Mercury]

Regarding the OP, I would if it means I'd avoid torture and death. God knows where I stand.

If this is something God would focus on, I'd have to give it more credit then that. You can say anything, but if God is the superior being we give it credit for being, I don't think it requires acknowledgement in any public way nor does it expect you as an individual to sell a dogma to other humans. It would just want us all to find our way, not by words, but by actions.

This is ABSOLUTELY how I see it as well! Extremely well said! :clap :thumbup

 

[HK]

Honestly, it seems like a horrible position to be in. I would have thought refusing to verbally say you renounce your religion is almost a form of suicide, if you know it'll result in your death.



And there's no way I could trust that I'd meet up with my loved ones in another life, so it's okay if they die now :ninja treasure every second you've got with them right now, I say.

 

[Greatest I am]

Survival first, repent later and if God does not understand or like it, then he is quite the dick.

Fly any flag to live. It can be changed by choice later.

Regards
DL

 

[Johnfromokc]

Do what you have to do to survive and then pop a cap in dey azz first chance ya get.

 

[Kyle B]

If this is something God would focus on, I'd have to give it more credit then that. You can say anything, but if God is the superior being we give it credit for being, I don't think it requires acknowledgement in any public way nor does it expect you as an individual to sell a dogma to other humans. It would just want us all to find our way, not by words, but by actions.

Quite a gamble, eh? I'd like to think a god would be able to handle the ego blow of having someone renounce it to save his/her life, but that's not very fundie of me, is it?

It makes complete sense to me if viewed through the viewpoint of Christian dogma. The sin is that someone is denying the existence of God for their own benefit here on earth. Taking something that is considered "holy" and throwing it in the trash until the coast is clear.

 

[brieze]

Remind me of gang mentality. IJS.

 

[Panacea]

It makes complete sense to me if viewed through the viewpoint of Christian dogma. The sin is that someone is denying the existence of God for their own benefit here on earth. Taking something that is considered "holy" and throwing it in the trash until the coast is clear.

Right, if you're a fundamentalist this makes total sense. Most people aren't, and that's why it's pretty tough to understand. Luckily this doesn't actually happen regularly...

 

[Minor Axis]

I would tend to agree, but I suppose one in this situation (someone more fundamental, literal) may say we cannot make god whatever we want it to be, that the bible clearly states what god wants....you'll burn in hell for renouncing god.

First off you'd have to believe the musty old book, a creation of man. As I said, I don't believe God gives one hoot what you tell another human being while under duress.

This is ABSOLUTELY how I see it as well! Extremely well said! :clap :thumbup

Thanks!

It makes complete sense to me if viewed through the viewpoint of Christian dogma. The sin is that someone is denying the existence of God for their own benefit here on earth. Taking something that is considered "holy" and throwing it in the trash until the coast is clear.

That's what happens when dogma clouds your vision.

 

[Joe the meek]

Here is a better question for the Christian soldier.

If you get jacked by some dick loving camel jockey, would you rather denounce Christ or give a blow job?

 

[Panacea]

*face palm*

 

[TenaciousDave]

Here is a better question for the Christian soldier.

If you get jacked by some dick loving camel jockey, would you rather denounce Christ or give a blow job?

 

[Joe the meek]

You guys should of seen me in my younger years

 

[Johnfromokc]

*face palm*

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! :24: :clap