Question for everyone?

Question

I'm an agnostic not trying to convert anyone just seeking answers.
It has been suggested that empirical evidence for believing in the Judeo-Christian God exists in the Bible. That God spoke to Noah and Moses.

But, how can we really be sure God talked to Moses and Noah? How do we know this, since Moses wrote Genesis, that Noah and God really talked? How do we know Moses really talked to God, and didn't just come up with a religion and laws to control people?

If you believe that God spoke to Moses but not to any of the other people who started a religion, would you apply the same skepticism to those who believe in that religion today and ask the same question, how do you know that Muhammad really talked to Gabriel for example and didn't just start his own religion?

Is there any real empirical evidence of Muhammad talking to Gabriel, or of Moses talking to God? Many religions say that God talked to someone a long time ago. What makes Christianity different?

Answer 1

Obviously, it isn't any different. That's why it is questioned by so many of us agnostics and atheists. I will be watching this to see what the fundies have to say on the subject. But I doubt it will be anything of substance or evidentiary at all.

Answer 2

It has never been confirmed that Moses wrote Genesis. There is a large debate about it, and I have to say that I don't think he did either, but - to each his own. I also don't believe that there was really a guy named Noah (I know that a lot of people do believe that - I'm not trying to change their minds). I think the story of the flood, as well as the story of creation (Adam & Eve) are parables that try to explain things that had no proven history. Almost all cultures have a flood story, and many have similar creation stories. There are even 2 separate accounts in Genesis.

I think the argument for and against religion is all about proof vs. faith. I am a believer, and I have seen what I consider to be proof of God's existence. I DO believe that God spoke to Moses, but that is a matter of faith, and I don't need any other proof. Some people do, and those people refuse to believe in God because of their view that no proof exists. So we're down to atheists saying "prove God exists" and believers saying "prove God doesn't exist". No religion has 100% of the answers - there is always something that requires faith. How little or how much can differ, but that's up to each individual to decide. There is little difference between Christianity and any other religion in that aspect.

Edited to add: I do want to add that I don't believe the Bible was written in order to be a history textbook. Just because the Bible doesn't mesh up with other historical documents does not sway my belief.

Answer 3

How can you be sure? Well, you can't be directly sure, since you weren't there. So you could just believe the historical accounts for the sake of the amout of material and sources, like any historical account. But just believing God spoke to moses may not the real issue. It may be, should we follow those laws? And you can judge that for youself: by either ignoring them looking at people who did too, or following them and looking at people who did, and measuring which life is best.

In fact, the book of Ecclesiastes in the bible is all about a guy trying the 'wrong' ways to see what really works best in life.

This applies to the rest of your question: apart from God appearing and telling you the truth, you can't know for sure these accounts are real. But, many of them do give rules for life, and some even give little tests embedded in the writings, that you can try and see if they do work, and maybe judge the efficacy of the wisdom by the results.

Answer 4

well thats just the thing. people tend to dismiss all religions but their own as being totally unbelievable. but, theres really no way to prove that any of them are wrong, or right. you sound fairly logical and understand that all of the religions out there are founded under similar belief systems, so you realize that to question one is to question ALL religions. and thats the way it should be. if people spent more time contemplating their own beliefs, as opposed to trying to disprove the beliefs of others, i bet we'd all be a little more tolerant. i was born catholic. by the time i was around 13, i had hit a point where i really didnt believe a lot of what was in the bible, but that didnt change the fact that i felt the message it portrayed was a strong moral standpoint that was worth believing in, even if jesus never walked on water, or if theres not proof that a burning bush talked to moses. i think that the idea of faith is that you're not supposed to have all the answers. if you did, its not faith anymore, its just being told what to think, and thats where the alienation aspect comes in. people dont take the time to say "well, even though i cant prove all of it, this belief has really made my life better, and i'd love to share that with you if you want, and i'd love to hear what you believe in". instead they say "this worked for me, so it will work for everyone, and you're an idiot if you dotn go along with it". so, despite that i'm a catholic, i personally feel ANY faith is good, as long as its accompanied by personal search and questioning, accepting that there may not be any right or wrong answer, and understanding that you cant force a way of thinking on anyone for any reason.

so, there is no evidence of any deity speaking to anyone ever, whether you're talking about god, jesus, moses, allah, zeus, osiris, whatever. and while i cant provide evidence, and honestly dont believe in god speaking to anyone in a direct manner, i do believe that there is some greater reason for us to exist than what we understand right now. and by the same token that nobody can prove that god spoke to anyone, nobody can prove he didnt, or that he doesnt exist, which i'm assuming is why you chose to be agnostic, rather than athiest. very well thought out.

and needless to say, by the definition of most people, i guess i'm not the best catholic in the strictest sense of the word. lol. but, all religions preach tolerance, and thats what i try to hold above all else.

Answer 5

When it comes to religion ,everything lies in faith,belief and feeling. Like u feel the wind that blows . When u believe that God exists ,u will see the world in a different way and will experience HIM in day today activities. Religions were created by men and not GOD. There is only 1 religion and 1 God of love. Be it Mohammed or Moses, God 's message is only one thing :LOVE for others !

Answer 6

For the purpose of full disclosure, I am an atheist and a recovered christian...

There can be no proof that god spoke to anyone.

There is no record that a person name Moses ever lived, except in the Bible which time and time again has been proved not to be an historically accurate document. There is no archaeological evidence that a tribe "wandered" in the desert for 40 years.

In my younger days, I know many people who "spoke" to god. A few hours later, they woke up with a bad case of the munchies. I suppose if these folks lived 2,500 years ago, they may have written a book of the bible (The Gospel according to Big Mike)

Answer 7

GOD is the 'Creator' and therefore HE used messengers as an interface to guide his 'Creation'.

Now the Islamic perception is that, HE chose messengers from every tribe and nation to guide them for a stipulated period. When the period expired, he sent a new messenger with the same message of Monotheism but little different rules & regulations for another time interval.

HE spoke with Moses, Noah, Abraham, Jesus Christ and finally Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Them). GOD chose to complete HIS message with Muhammed (PBUH). Muhammed did not bring in a new message, instead he was sent with the un-adulterated message of Moses & Jesus Christ (PBUT).

If you really want to verify whether this happened or not, PUT TO TEST the QURAN.... And answer yourself, if the Quran is the WORD of GOD or not?

The Quran was sent 1400 years before, and is 100% compatible with established scientific facts.
www.islam-guide.com

How can an illiterate man like Muhammed write something which is 100% compatible with scientific discoveries made recently???

The answer is simple, Quran has to be the WORD of the CREATOR.

Answer 8

We must accept some things by faith. Even the most hard-core evolutionist must accept things by faith. A fossilized bone is a rock or a stone. Evolutions point to these rocks as evidence of evolution. Do we have absolute proof that a stegosaurus actually walked the earth? Nope. We have rocks in the shape of bones.

Do we have evidence monkeys live in Africa? Yep. We can capture a live monkey in Africa and put it on exhibit.

How do you know for sure Julius Ceasar existed? There is more historical evidence of Jesus' existence than of Ceasar's.

It boils down to faith.

What separates Christianity is the way to heaven. Christianity is unique in that it spells out Christians cannot save themselves (except your righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees). Every other religion in the world, Islam included, says people can get to to paradise (whatever version that religion calls for) on their own merits and by their own work, Islam included.

Answer 9

This is one of those questions that I think is best to ask God himself, the best empirical evidence that some Prophets have are credible witnesses. But honestly, I think I think God wants us to ask him if these people are telling the truth or not, and I really think we need His help in discerning these matters. Try praying about it, if you really want to know the answer (meaning you're willing to act on whatever it may be) then He'll let you know in your heart who's telling the truth or not (and who's telling some truth, and some not).

Answer 10

Ah, the golden question... sort of like "What is the meaning of life?" What makes Christianity different...?

Nothing. On the surface... delve deeper though and with it we find meaning in our lives, a purpose, hope... and we don't shrivel our lives away in dispair...

I used to be atheist, then I became agnostic...

On the surface I would say I am strictly Christian... but really, I love shinto-ism and Buddhism, I can relate to Islam and Judaism, and I really love all religion for being soley what they are.

Answer 11

No-where in the Pentateuch does it even claim Moses wrote it, and it includes the record of the death of Moses and things that happened after he died. How can anyone even say he wrote it!?

Beside that, Moses is a legendary figure from Sumerian mythology.