Head Scratcher

[confused2]

Very much on the head scratcher theme..

Driving home tonight I was listening to a discussion with a few Christian religious types. Bombshell from one guy. Christianity isn't about the good works or living like Christ - it is about being 'Saved'. I assume 'Saved' means you (automatically) go to Heaven at the time of death or the Day of Judgement - whichever comes first. This isn't like doing good works in the hope of going to heaven - this is something else entirely.

Messages to converts are going to read like "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" which (to a Trekkie) immediately means "You can keep my underpants but I'd suggest washing them first if you're seriously planning to wear them.".

[confused2]

On reflection Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra would have fought as equal allies without the need for underpants. The gift of the underpants "Arms wide." whether later or earlier is not germane to Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra.

[Syne]

The "saved" by works or by grace alone is a major distinction among Christian denominations. Those who espouse "saved by grace" do consider it to be "once saved, always saved". But they still take "ye shall know them by their fruits" and other admonishments for goods works seriously. Just supposition here, but that may have been a consequence of the schism between Catholicism and Protestantism, where "confession" and "last rites" of the former, to secure salvation, were rejected by the latter, alone with the other criticisms of the priesthood.

[confused2]

In your opinion (any opinion including Syne's) is being saved (the promise of Heaven and life eternal) a major factor that motivates people to become Christians? I note that becoming a Christian seems to involve a baptism so you can't just say "I'm a Christian now.".

[Syne]

In your opinion (any opinion including Syne's) is being saved (the promise of Heaven and life eternal) a major factor that motivates people to become Christians? I note that becoming a Christian seems to involve a baptism so you can't just say "I'm a Christian now.".

That is the carrot, yes. That seems secondary to good people just believing god exists. But I would assume bad people might be motivated more by the stick of avoiding hell. IOW, good people seem to be internally motivated, while bad people seem more externally motivated (like criminals and deterrence). Depending on the denomination, baptism is either done as an infant, a public profession of salvation, or perhaps a good work necessary to salvation.