>Of course it makes sense, without the Xian bit. There are many religions that preach "do good or go to >Hell". Why, there are even Hindus who brush the ground ahead of them for fear of stamping on an insect, >literally wouldn't hurt a fly, never mind another human. You never heard of Karma? These gentle people don't >deserve salvation?


There are many who are seeking God. That's why there are so many religions. Man was made to worship God. Some choose a false religion/god. I would call the whole Karma thing a lie. As far as anyone deserving salvation - I've already stated that no one "deserves" salvation - it is a act of mercy from God.


>We keep telling you: it's not His Word but what some ancients wrote down. You never heard of liars, story-tellers, embellishment, fantasists? How do you KNOW these weren't?


I'm trusting that God's word is true. We don't really "know" anything - it's all a matter of trust.



>Look, I've studied enough in school and church and Sunday school, etc. to get the gist of it: Be Good. The intellect behind the writings was not primitive but these men, were you to show them a digital camera, would interpret it as magic - that kind of primitive!



I guess I'm okay with that - since you're calling Shakespeare and Hemmingway primitive too.



>If you want to go on about the Bible, how about one of the most famous acts of "christian" charity it portrays: that of the Good Samaritan. HE wasn't christian, yet cited in a parable by Jesus. To your logic, even a man cited by the Lord wouldn't qualify for heaven. Such hypocricy!



Who says he wasn't a Christian? I don't believe the text states his spiritual condition.


The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

25And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" 27And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." 28And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."


29But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."


English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.