why is it so difficult...?

Question

why is it so difficult for christians and other theists to just say, "i don't know?" when confronted with questions on faith. i know from my own experiences as a one-time christian, that there is sort of a fear that is embedded into your thinking. anyone who denies this is lying to themselves. i believe the story i was told was the one on the wages of sin being death, and that one's only means of salvation is by accepting christ as your saviour. death and only means of salvation... can you honestly say those words are not used to scare people into believing? imagine telling a five year old this, who has no real concept of the world. you'd better believe he or she is gonna be scared into believing. and so it is taught from that early of a stage that you'd better know, or else... does anyone disagree with this?

it's not that i've given up on the idea that there might be a god... i honestly don't know. i just don't adhere to the christian idea of god. it's too flawed. there is no hurt, just a realization that the being christians describe as a god does not exist. that much i am sure of. i know...

Answer 1

Even stronger than the fear of eternal hell is that self rightous feeling they get from thinking that they are special and wonderful and better than those other people who do not believe the way that they do.

Answer 2

Only one religion actual encourages uncertainty and that is Zen Buddhism.

One of the purposes of any religions is to give certainty. Doubt and questioning is completely discouraged because people my see the floors in the myths.

The pay off for the follower is that they do not have to spend emotional energy (because all forms of questioning take massive amounts of this) on questions which have very complex answers.

One of the illustrations of this is the ultimate creation question. What started everything. The most honest answer is we really do not know. All other answers are reciprocation.

If one said god - well who created god?
If we say the great profit Zacwar then who created her?
If we say it has always existed - well How?

It may seem a simple thing to say - well we do not know - however it is quite threating for many to not know. Just look at how many insults surround ignorence.

Answer 3

I have no problem admitting when I don't know something...that's generally when I get to learn!
Perhaps the fear is yours alone? Don't feel intimidated, and if you were around Christians that caused you to feel so don't give them so much power. No one knows everything, right?
Every part of God's word is meant to be taught and learned.
Unfortunately, people need to consider age-appropriateness.
There are parts we love to hear, and parts that we would rather not. But, when you come to a mature grasp in understanding, none of it should bother you.
Again, unfortunately, some people do use verses like the one you mentioned as a "scare tactic" but it depends ENTIRELY on the context in which it is used.
I would ask you a question, if I may. Have you given up on God because of God, or because of people that have tried to speak for God?
It wasn't God that hurt you, was it?

Answer 4

I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with the Christian faith. I do agree with you that there are Christians out there who like to come at you from the 'Hell and Brimstone' angle; I've had to deal with what I call the ''Bullhorn'' people. They outline it simply as "O.K. you want to burn in hell forever or go to heaven and be happy?" People like that have negative effects for Christianity and on others. But, thankfully there are Christians who don't take the in your face approach and emphasize that God is a loving and merciful God. Not every Christian views their faith as a ticket to paradise.

Answer 5

Why is it difficult for me to say to other theists that "I don't know" when they ask me about my faith? That's because I do know. I do know that there is a God. All things denote that there is a God. The planets that move in their regular order. The earth and all that is upon it. The human body itself testifies that there is a creator. I have all of these external witnesses, including the witness of the Apostles and Prophets. I have the witness of my brothers and sisters in the faith. And most importantly I have received a testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost. I felt pure intelligence flow into me as I read, pondered, and prayed about the scriptures. I felt a peace that ran through me and I have never ever felt anything like it. I know that there is a God through prayer and fasting and the witness of the Holy Ghost.

Answer 6

Jesus knows and has told true believers all things. But if you listen to others and accept what they say as truth, then you have formed a new covenant.

In John 3:14-18 Jesus is telling you that it is not who you believe that matters, it is that you believe in God, the Father who art in heaven, that matters. If you believe in God the Father, send you to them which are full of truth and grace.

Do not put your faith in men.

Answer 7

HI
The wages that sin pays is death means that when you die you paid for your sins, Jesus sacrifice gives us forgiveness of our sins, there is a difference. We don't start young kids on difficult subject we start them on milk and gradually give them the more difficult stuff to digest so go easy tell them about Moses, Abraham and the faithful servants in the bible.
Lammu

Answer 8

I could not agree with you more. I am quite sure that the teaching of Faith in the form of Facts and Truth to children is " Why it is so difficult."

Answer 9

personally, if i don't know the answer i'll tell you i dont know. and also not every christian feels better than those who don't share their beliefs. though i can certainly see how it may come across like that in some situations. it truly depends on the person and their choice of words.

Answer 10

Its difficult for the religious to admit they don't know because it would mean they need to question their religion. It would bring everything into doubt that they may have wasted their lives.