(some) Christians-Why haven't you given the gods a chance? (or have you?)?

Question

Most Christians believe in some form of the golden rule.

Several Christians in this very section of Y!A have stated that people who don't believe in their god have not given their god a chance.

(BTW: When I gave their god a chance I got slammed for "testing god"....but I was trying to comply with their demands.)

I would like to ask if any of those Christians who have asked Pagans, atheists and other non-Christians to give "God" a chance have given a chance to any other gods, and if not, why?

(Please keep in mind that every Christian who answers "because other gods don't exist" is granting full permission for Pagans, atheists and others to NOT give their Christian god a chance, because they are saying a god must be proven to exist before it can be believed in.)

Let's see if we can answer this without hatespeech, people.

Marky-
Lab-followed by a really angry growl.

A supersexy angry growl.

Answer 1

I am so with you on this. Mind you, it isn't just Christians - Muslims are quick to do the same, pointing out that their religion is most recent in coming, or that the Qur'an has special "scientific" statements that no one could have possibly known at the time.

Anyhow, I personally have given just about every religion a chance, or at least plan to. I've worked my way through vetoing Christianity and Islam, looked into Judaism but found the conversion process too discouraging, and haven't yet checked out Hinduism or Buddhism. I'd like someone to tell me something about Zoroastrianism, but so far, nothing. I think they don't like converts.

Answer 2

Christian Monotheism is framed in such a way as to frighten people away from other gods. They'll say, "Everything you need to know about God is in the Bible, and anything that you encounter or experience that contradicts that is a trick of the Devil." I'm surprised you haven't gotten that answer yet. This is the scare tactic they used when missionizing all over the world. Christian Dualism at work! I also find it funny, and hypocritical, when they complain that we aren't being open minded about their faith while at the same time completely dismissing ours without much investigation.

I do admire and respect those Christians who say that their religion is about a personal relationship with their God. Mine is, too. But my Gods are the Gods of the Ancient Greeks, not the God of the Bible. It is still about a personal relationship for me. I think that the Gods choose their worshipers, not the other way around. Some are chosen by the Christian God. I happen to have been chosen by Pan, Apollo, Hermes, Persephone, and Demeter. For me, this is why proselytizing is against my religion.

tebone0315, I respect your right to be a Christian, and I would never try to convert you. However, if you take a walk in the woods with a quiet mind and an open heart, the Old Gods just may introduce themselves to you -- but only if that is the path you are meant to walk.

Answer 3

The bible says some were chosen to believe and others were not. Either way all of us are part of his plan whether you are a believer or not. An example would come from the book of John when God himself allowed the devil to enter Judas in the last supper so that the scriptures might be full-filled. Believing is a choice, a choice we will all be judged by when judgment day comes. God presents himself to everyone in one way or another. The thing is when you seek truth, you will find it. And when you do, you should make a choice and what you believe is right.

Answer 4

I don't know if i'm "(some)christians", still here is my awnser.

Yes, I gave the "gods" a chance before I was convinced that God was the one to follow (i'll not get into details on how I was convinced because thats not the point of the awnser)

Untill I got into the University I was an atheist, when I began to study, the atheist point of view suddenly didn't seem to fit anymore, i though: "surely there must be some sort of transcendent". It just made no sense to me denying God based on science, sience it dosen't have the ability to prove it or dissprove it. Also (and i know atheist scoff at this argument), as I witnessed the beauty of life (I study biology) I just could no longer deny the existence of a transendent. Still, i had no idea what it was like and i didn't really care...

Later had experiences with spiritism, and i really didn't like it, went to their church 3 or 4 times, all of them really disliking their beliefs and what was told to me.

i then started going to a catholic church and I really liked it (i had a catholic education but never was, until then, into it). To this day I really like catholic church (i know some non catholic chistians don't like it at all).

Questions concerning the saints and the pope began to arise, at the same time i started to date a non-catholic christian girl and our relationship fell apart on account of faith.

Finally we broke up I was sad and with a new desire to search more deeply for my faith.

I tried a buddist temple (i also still like stuff from eastern philosophy) but it was all in japanese so I never really had the opportunity to go and figure it out deeply.

Finaly i went to the baptist church I still atend to, and was there i found what i've been looking for all along.

Answer 5

If you want a real answer, the reason is that people who have followed the Judeo/Christian god throughout history have been FIERCELY monotheistic; whereas the cultures around them were not only polytheistic, but tolerant toward other faiths.

In this case, the laid-back approach lost in the end, and most Western religions nowadays remain fiercely monotheistic.

Answer 6

What does "give a chance" mean when you're referring to other gods? More money, stuff, power or influence? That's not what our God is about. He is after one thing -- relationship with you. We believe that God created us and if he did, then we are obviously created with a need for relationship with him. Just so happens that is why so many people look for alternatives. It is also why other gods do not suffice because they can not replace what God himself created in us. Everyone has this need whether you agree or disagree with that statement. Take a look around you and you'll see it for yourself in what people do or how they act. Power, money and all the rest of that type of stuff will not make anyone happy but for a moment. Only one thing satisfies.

Answer 7

Not one normal answer from a Christian yet. Sigh.

I know he's just joking and I like Dog Sneeze, I really do. But if I would answer to a question where a Christian asks me to "try his particular god" with the same joking tone towards Yahweh, at least 15 people will start to shout "blasphemy!".

Great question LabGrrl, I'm still practicing on how to pronounce your nickname.

Answer 8

I have asked pagans, athiests on other non Christians to try God. Some have and some haven't but it is my job as a Christian to talk to non believers..

Answer 9

I heard that Bonfatius cut down Donar's oak without being smashed to death by thunder and lightning.

Zero interest in Pagan gods.

Answer 10

I am really disappointed with some answers. It simply shows the fear and intolerance. "My God is better then you Gods so there." Did they stick thier tongue out at the computer too?