I really don't see the point. There are countless possible gods, what makes you so sure that yours is the right one? And "faith" isn't an answer. If a scientist simply said that "faith" was his (or her) reasoning behind something he would be laughed at and fired. All religions claim that there god is the only one, seems like they're just competing for the sheep.
Also, yes, there's the chance of risking an afterlife of torture by not worshippin a god (or worshipping the wrong one), but there's no proof that shows an afterlife is anything more than wishful thinking. Why not try to enjoy life now? Seems like you could think of better things to do with your time than waste it on some book full of lies and plotholes.
Also, isn't it just a matter of time until modern religions go away? They'll be laughed at like Zeus, Cupid, and Venus. Just seems like Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, and etc... are nothing more than fads.
So, what's the point other than engaging in wishful thinking?
2006-09-02 07:55:14 · 19 answers · asked by Toronto 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If he is so forgiving, why does your book say he sends countless people to Hell and put them an eternity of pain, suffering, and torture?
2006-09-02 08:00:33 · update #1
For the people saying the bible doesn't have any plotholes and/or errors, here you go:
Genesis:
1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
The moon isn't a light, it simply reflects light from the sun. That's a huge error. Also, how is the moon supposed to be ruler of the night if it spends half its time out during the day?
2006-09-02 08:07:59 · update #2
It makes some people feel better. If you have a strong mind you won't need it. I completely agree with you though. I prefer cold hard reality to sweet fluffy delusion. Just an opinion.
2006-09-02 07:59:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you look into history, into the remote tribes and their beliefs, you'll find that the human race had always believed in a higher being. And some even had the heaven and hell concept. It can be quite elaborate like the Greek, Roman or Norse mythology. Human history proves that believing in a God will never go away.
If you don't believe in a God you must believe in a creator. You can't tell me everything around you that you feel and touch happened by chance?
As a Christian I am enjoying life more than before. What could be better than investing into my after-life?
2006-09-02 15:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by JasonLee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I respect your question. I will try to answer it the best way I can and hope you will take the walk with me. In the beginning, God gave man a perfect earth with everything he needed to have a perfect life. Love. He also gave man a tremendous gift, free will. When man decided one day to use the free will to defy the one and only rule God gave him (all kinds of freedom except this one rule), man decided to break the rule, defying God because man thought it would make him like God. The age old goal - to replace God with himself. Because of this God had one requirement to restore man to his original glory - the shedding of blood - without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. God killed the first animals to get the skins to cover man's sin until the last and final blood sacrifice of the perfect lamb (Jesus) would come. In the old covenant, God decided to use the Jewish people as his instrument to bring restoration and blessing to the human race. They were instructed to use the sacrifice system (Passover) as a temporary atonement for sin (when God sees the blood, he will "pass over" you from spiritual death) until the final perfect sacrifice would come. Then at God's perfect timng, God sent Jesus to be the (big word) propitiation for our sins by the death on the cross, that by accepting that death as your covering, you will have eternal life and never had to experience spiritual death.
As to God "sending" someone to hell. He doesn't. Those who refuse his gift of salvation by not accepting Jesus' atoning work send themselves to hell. God is not willing that any should perish but the blood atonement must be filled. Jesus paid the price so we wouldn't. Isn't that great. How fantastic. Hope that helps.
P.S. Since God is God, He has the right to make the rules, not us. And I'm not complaining. I can have a good life here and a good life afterwards. What's not to like.
2006-09-02 15:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by SusieDarling 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The question is not if you believe or disbelieve, it doesn't matter if you call him God,Father,Allah or any given name. The truth is God is not a thing, it's a Virtue or a guide to direct you through life,
To answer those questions for you when your scared or feel lonely.. It's the person you talk to in your head when things are confusing or you just need someone to talk to. Its the place your loved ones go when they die, so you feel better. It's the common thread in our lives that keep us good and gives a direction toward the way things should be. So that's your answer, Not if you should believe but if you can't. By you asking the question, tells me you believe in something
2006-09-02 15:26:30 · answer #4 · answered by red raydor 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've heard this question constantly. and I always give them the same answer. Its your eternity. You dont have to believe in God. Gods not forcing you to worship, when its all said and done he's still Holy. You can enjoy life like you said. But its all temporary. Lets measure the scale:Temporary fun and then Eternal torture,Or Living the godly life and then Eternal life? I'll take the Eternal life. But thats just me. You can enjoy your life my friend, its your choice.
2006-09-02 15:01:52 · answer #5 · answered by ReliableLogic 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible has been proven to be accurate over and over. Ppl have tried to refute it and became Christians in the process. No one has been able to refute the resurrection. Christianity is the only belief that's right. Bc Christianity is true, by default everything else is wrong.
2006-09-02 14:59:58 · answer #6 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God wants us to enjoy life now. He also says that he is the only, the Alpha and the Omega. Which means he is from the beginning into the end. He is not a fad.
2006-09-02 14:59:32 · answer #7 · answered by angelrunner8 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No matter how we try to rationalize God in our little minds, if you just look at nature you know in your heart that there is a God. The natural order of the heavens and earth, the seasons, water, air, our bodies and the way they work, (like how blood is blue until it hits the air and then turns red) childbirth, even sex and love - in the way He designed it is beautiful and pure between a loving man and wife who long to bring other being to be...things fresh and pure until it was tampered with by man. No matter how hard they try scientist cannot create a man from the dust of the earth. God has given us the intelligence and free-will to destroy ourselves.
I don't care what anyone believes, I KNOW that Jesus Christ is the only God who gave His life for the sins for the world, rose from the grave and gives us free-will whether to accept Him or not.
I'd rather believe that their is an Almighty, Omnipresent, Onipotent, All-Powerfull, All-Knowning God that created us because He wanted a family to love and wanted a family to love Him back. I rather believe in a God that created me especially for the purpose of to tell others about Him than to believe that I evolved from monkeys or that if I work hard or kill myself I will gain some reward. Not Jesus, He give us a choice and He sends others to tell of Him. He loves you, just like He loves me. I messed up so much in my life, yet He still takes me back. I love Him, I love Him, I love Him. Call on Him with a humble, honest heart...He will answer.
You can only believe or not, but I KNOW because He has filled me with His Holy Spirit and revealed Himself to me. If you seek Him with a true heart, not with "if you are really there show me a sign". He will reveal Himself to you. Don't rebuke people who are sent from Him to tell you about His free salvation available to all, ponder it in your heart and He will come to see about you, just like He did me.
2006-09-02 18:31:36 · answer #8 · answered by raineywife@sbcglobal.net 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am truly sorry you feel that way. Please read Luke 16:19-31 in that Book you say has so may potholes to see where you are going and what it will be like. I hope this will change your mind.
By the way, It has no potholes are errors. You need to read it in the manner and time it was written.
2006-09-02 15:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by Birdbrain 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is forgiving and wonderful. If you are a true believer, you pray to God and he'll answer your prayers. Why are you asking such a question anyways? Do you have a hard time believing?
2006-09-02 15:01:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋