Could "fear" be causing Christians to do away with their natural ability to be skeptical or are they lacking the ability itself?
1. The first step to Atheism is skepticism
2. Skepticism leads to investigation.
I3. Investigation leads to Atheism
God believers can't even get to the first step
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2006-11-13 02:46:32 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
WHY AREN'T CHRISTIANS SKEPTICAL ABOUT GOD'S EXISTENCE?
2006-11-13 02:52:00 · update #1
FAITH IS THE ABSENCE OF SKEPTICISM
2006-11-13 02:53:52 · update #2
Yes...they could be...but I'm a God-believer...and I'm mighty skeptical about most things...bordering on being cynical.
But as for God, He makes pretty good sense, so far as my logic is concerned.
Here's how my logic-progression works:
What do you mean by (e.g. Christians are fearful?)
How did you come to that conclusion?
Why do you believe that you are right?
What is the source of your information?
What assumption has led you to that conclusion?
What happens if you are wrong?
Can you give me two sources who disagree with you and explain why?
Why is this significant?
How do I know you are telling me the truth?
What is an alternate explanation for this phenomenon?
2006-11-13 02:49:52 · answer #1 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sometimes investigation leads to belief, try this website,
http://www.watchtower.org/
Even better, call your local Kingdom Hall and ask for a bible study which allows you to look at the bible in a progressive way to learn the answers to any questions you have. This study will help you to make sense of what you are learning instead of confusing you with so many inconsistencies that you do not believe in anything. If you look at the bible and learn what was going on at that time and why; then it will make more sense to you. The bible writters back each other up in the different books some things told centuries in advance of the event so that there is no question as to the source. The bible is the greatest history book ever written and it plays a huge factor in learning about what God has done in the past and what his plans for the future are. Studying these things will build up your faith and the confusion you probably feel from so much investigation will slowly loose its hold. God is a god of truth and those that worship him must worship with spirit and truth. In the same manner that you would not drink a nice cold glass of water that had just a little bit of poison in it you would not practice a religion that had any untruth in it. Other wise you would be taking part in a false religion and the bible warns agains doing so. I have included some information for you to check out which I hope you will use your own bible and enjoy checking out the sites.
End Of False Religion Is Near
http://www.watchtower.org/e/kn37/article_01.htm
Search For God With Your Heart and Mind
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/4/1/article_02.htm
Jehovah's Witnesses Who Are They and What Do They Believe?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm
2006-11-13 03:07:15 · answer #2 · answered by research woman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to burst your bubble, but all are skeptical before they become Christians. None of us believed before we were saved by grace through faith.
I disagree with step number one. Not everybody who starts out as skeptical becomes an atheist. I would tend to agree, partly, with step number two, but some are just too lazy to really investigate. I disagree with part number three - my skeptical, highly intelligent dad (he worked for NASA - could have been in Mensa),did not believe in the beginning. God showed Himself to this very scientific minded, logical, straight thinking individual. The evidence was so compelling, that at the end of my father's life, he knew of God's existence.
There are many scientists, astronauts, intelligent professionals, who start out being skeptical and end up knowing God. Your supposition is faulty.
2006-11-13 03:03:56 · answer #3 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have and always will be a natural skeptic, however, I believe in God, and have no explanation for this except that it is reassuring and gives me something to lean on. I do see how fear takes peoples beliefs to extremes though, like throwing gas on a fire. I was a non beleiver for most of my life and as I get older, It's just something I find comfort in. That's just me though, I like when Chris Rock said in the movie DOGMA, that it's better to have an idea than a belief, because it's easier to change an idea
2006-11-13 02:54:10 · answer #4 · answered by elfkin, attention whore 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"There are all sorts of different reasons for believing in God," writes C. S. Lewis in The Case for Christianity, "and here I'll mention only one. It is this. Supposing there were no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen for physical or chemical reasons to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It's like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way the splash arranges itself will give you a map of London. But if I can't trust the arguments leading to atheism, [I] have no reason to be an atheist. . . . Unless I believe in God, I can't believe in thought; so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God."
2006-11-13 02:59:44 · answer #5 · answered by Wandering Sage 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, human culture dating back to pre-history were not "natural skeptics." They believed in gods, lots of them.
But, I get the point. Fear is an essential part of the doctrine in christianity. Like any other brainwashing cult, the indoctrination process includes averting skepticism and replacing it with loyalty => mainly through capitalizing on the individual's fear.
The church, like any corrupt government, knows that the way to control its citizens/ believers is through fear.
2006-11-13 02:57:59 · answer #6 · answered by uberkultur 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a few issues that atheist don't have the potential to do: one million. You lack the potential to have self assurance in something extra desirable than your self. 2. You lack the potential to appreciate that seeing isn't believing. 3. You lack the potential to have something to do Sunday morning. 4. You lack the potential to have an open ideas. 5. You lack the potential to close your mouth and settle for that there continually have been and continually would be christians. 6. You lack the potential to appreciate that theories approximately God not interfering in our previous are extra illogical that those with God interfering. 7. You lack the potential to have self assurance that Earth isn't the acceptable there is and consistent with possibility there could desire to easily be something extra valuable...or worse. 8. You lack the potential to have self assurance which you're incorrect approximately God not modern. 9. You lack the potential to instruct evidence. If christians are so incorrect, what makes you suitable? 10. You lack the potential to admit christians are suitable approximately you.
2016-10-17 05:34:03 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, those of us who believe in God start at skepticism. I was a skeptic for years but you can not argue with the facts. God does exist, He did exactly what the bible says He did. Maybe non believers are the ones who can not get over their skepticism?
2006-11-13 02:50:53 · answer #8 · answered by Patti T 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why is it that non-believers say Christians serve God out of fear? Where does that come from? The notion of hell? What's
the deal? Who can judge what it is I do for any reason? Do you know me?
I am skeptical of many things. However, I am not so arrogant tht I have kept faith from working in my life. I feel peace and true joy by following God and his word. I choose to believe and because I have, I have inner peace that someone from the world who doesn't share this faith can begin to understand. It's an individual decision. I am glad I have chosen what brings me peace and joy.
2006-11-13 02:53:13 · answer #9 · answered by Catie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
how do you call yourself a skeptic because you dont believe in God.really i should call myself a skeptic because i do believe in God.with science trying to disprove Him at every turn and every institution turning Him away it would seem more reasonable that your skepticism is more fear then anything else.athiest want to believe there is no God so that they dont have to pay for their sins.unfortunetly for you just because you dont believe in Him,He still believes in you and you will pay for your sins in the end
2006-11-13 03:24:20 · answer #10 · answered by these r my people 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋