From: user6340@newsgrouper.org.invalid   
      
   Mike  posted:   
   >   
   >    
   >   
   > Are You Really ‘Chosen’?   
   >   
   > Many people do see that certainty as at   
   > least borderline narcissistic, and you’re   
   > not alone in noticing the tension there.   
   >   
   > A few ways this is commonly critiqued:   
   >   
   > 1. Presuming divine judgment   
   >     To be certain one is already chosen implies   
   >     knowing God’s final judgment in advance.   
   >     In most Christian traditions, that knowledge   
   >     is considered God’s alone, not something   
   >     individuals can claim with certainty without   
   >     sliding into presumption.   
      
   The Bible (which is the basis for belief in the God   
   that is mentioned in the paragraph above), quotes   
   Jesus as saying this: "Whoever believes and is   
   baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe   
   will be condemned." Mark 16:16.   
   >   
   > 2. Moral exceptionalism   
   >     Certainty often implies: “I am among the   
   >     faithful; others likely are not.”   
      
   I'm not making that choice. If it were my choice, I   
   would prefer that everyone be faithful. The world   
   would be a better place if everyone knew that they   
   would have to stand before God's judgment someday.   
   >   
   >     That can quietly elevate one’s spiritual status   
   >     above others,   
      
   Again, that's not my choice. It's yours.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)