...What does he do for unbelievers like me?
If He ordered Abraham to commit infanticide, and imposed similar horrors on other faithful believers, surely He could do something similar for atheists? If He wished to 'test' my disbelief, he could easily mess it up by tempting me toward faith in some way.
Shallow, hedonistic heathen that I am, almost anything would do: sex, drugs, money - even just a few scientific facts - would easily make a believer out of me. How come this deity who supposedly loves me is not prepared to throw a little something my way to save my soul, when He tortures his servants so badly just to prove a point?
2007-04-30 23:55:46 · 12 answers · asked by Super Atheist 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm so cool: that's a silly answer, innit? I just told you my faith can be had for almost nothing.
2007-05-01 00:02:23 · update #1
I agree with you. It's been moderately amusing to watch the Christians go through the same old circular motions. But I really wish you'd gotten better answers. This is a significant question and it deserves real discussion.
2007-05-01 00:49:00 · answer #1 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh wow! You probably have no clue just how much GOD has helped you in life and you have not even noticed! He throws alot your way, you just have to be willing to accept His blessings!
As for as being tested, faith is always tested if you are a Christian! Why? Because we are to live by different rules than the world does! So, yes we as Christians are tested in many ways just because we are in this world and NOT of IT!
You mentioned HIM throwing you a little something...look at the things you want! Do you really think God would want this for you? Sex, drugs, money...you are right! You are pretty shallow and i am not judging you...you did that! I am just agreeing!!
2007-05-01 07:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
If he was a person, these actions would be considered shallow, aggressive, and a sign of low self-esteem. Some might even go so far to call him a sadist.
But, wait, no, this is that god-thingy again. It's not evil. It's ineffable. Ineffable and, I'm told, the greatest good possible.
2007-05-01 07:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by jtrusnik 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
God does not torture anyone (in this life anyway). Jesus Christ was tortured for our sakes but He didn't do that either.
The testing of our faith is not a horror, it's a refining process that purifies us and makes us stronger.
What He does for atheists is, first, He makes the sun shine on the righteous and the unrighteous alike; He gives you breath, food, water, the company of others and all kinds of things you share with believers.
Then, He waits for you to be interested in finding the truth. He is always available to those who seek Him, but there is no reason why He should bend over backwards to reveal anything to those who won't believe, especially after He's sent Jesus to die for everything the human race has done wrong.
2007-05-01 07:11:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
As I told someone else, I'm not a scholar, so I should probably pass this by, but....
Are you listening for God to get your attention, or are you just questioning the fact that He never does? Think back: have you been put in a position where it seemed everyone and everything was against you and you just had to get away, gather your thoughts, etc. Did it ever occur to you that even in the lowliest of trials, God has been trying to get your attention?
God will sit all of us down at some point and grab our attention somehow. But if we are not watching, waiting, listening for Him to do so, we'll miss it every time. You can't put it all on Him...communication is a two-way street.
2007-05-01 07:06:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
If god tests people with pain, he's not a loving god at all. I feel I've been tested, and I admit I've moved away from him as a result.
Watch what you wish for is my advice.
2007-05-01 07:01:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, although God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son...God stopped him from completing the act. God provided Abraham an acceptable offering (a ram caught in the brush) instead. God did test Abraham to see that he was faithful to what God told him, but the larger picture was not to kill his son, but LISTENTING and FOLLOWING God.
Secondly...God does not need to test your faith in Him -because he knows you do not have any. He's already "thrown a little something at you to save your soul" -JESUS...the fact that you choose not to accept it is yours and yours alone.
2007-05-01 07:30:27 · answer #7 · answered by Mrs.M 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
God never tempts anyone. This is biblical. He tests everybody. the fact that you are not aware of his testing proves that you are not aware of his existence in your life. is in your life whether you like it or not. For those of us who are in Christ we are aware that God tests us. When we fail a test we become instantly aware of it and we know that God will repeat the test in the near future. Testing is an opportunity for spiritual growth. Become aware of God's presence in your life and acknowledge that he is testing you all the time. Respond to those test in a positive manner and you will live a more fruitful and fulfilling life.
2007-05-01 07:02:43 · answer #8 · answered by Preacher 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
He hasn't commanded anyone to do anything for a long time and we just have to take the word of long dead Arabs that he ever even did.
2007-05-01 07:03:28 · answer #9 · answered by Desiree 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He never tests us for anything.We state these things to satiusfy ourselves. As per our thinking we live as per pre-ordained destiny based on our actions[Karma] in thepast. Do mail me if you do not believ in this.
Good luck
2007-05-01 07:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by HPS 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋