Since "faith" is believing in something that is hard to believe in...?

Question

And I think even you Christians will have to agree that that statement is correct, whether you like it or not...

My question is this: Does it truly make sense to you that there is a god somewhere that literally only cares about ONE thing... that you believe he exists? And he has purposely made it hard to believe he exists, by introducing contradictory facts such as scientific principles, natural laws, etc...

That really is what it boils down to, so don't try to spin this. You know as well as I do that Christians don't believe that good works will get you into heaven.

I can be the most honorable and cherished human being on the planet, but according to you... because god has successfully hidden himself from me... I deserve eternal punishment in hell?

I'd love to hear this rationalized folks...

Schneb... you're reaching. Of course that's what faith is. If it was easy to believe in, everyone would have "faith". Faith is what you rely on when you can't explain things, right? If I had phrased this question differently, you'd be agreeing with me.

Okay, and the next loving Christian is calling me a jerk because I cannot believe in his god. Isn't this a fun spectacle, folks?

Haha, how have I been "schooled" today? Thus far, I've gotten all the answers I expected. It's you that have been schooled, because I've forced you to think about something you didn't want to think about.

:) My work here is done.

Uhm the next girl there is quoting Hebrews, which restates exactly what I just described as faith... and says that I am wrong...?

Come on people... give an honest answer. You've been spinjobbing long enough.

Answer 1

I respect your opinion, but God didn't hide himself from you. this is the Devils working. God is talking to you, you just need to open your ears and heart and listen.

Yeah, science contradicts many of the stories in the Bible and God Himself, however, God there are also many unscientific explanations for God. Feelings, and indescribable miracles. I know you don't believe in anything that I'm talking about, but I do.

Yes you are a logical smart person who knows what they are talking about. And I truly don't believe that you are going to Hell. That is not my right or anyone else's to decide weather you deserve to go to Heaven or Hell. God cares about everybody! He wants you to believe and follow Him to help others so you and others can be with Him forever in Heaven.

I'm personally sorry for all of the "Christians" who wish you to Hell, or say bad things about you. They do not represent the majority of Christians. Thank you for this question and I hope you learn from my answer, I learned from you question.

Answer 2

Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we cannot yet see.

Even you in your statement are exercising faith that you will achieve some, as yet, unrealized goal. Faith of a Christian is faith in Jesus Christ.

Your premise about God is wrong. God's purpose is to give man immortality and eternal life. The first is already accomplished, everyone will be resurrected and have immortality, but to gain eternal life depends on the true understanding that we are saved by grace, but only after doing all we can do. In other words, yes Christ paid for our sins, but we have to repent and do good for this to be in effect. If you are truly an honorable and cherished human being, but are not aware of God, you will not go to hell. You can rest assured that everyone of God's children will have the opportunity to learn about him and to either accept or reject what he has prepared for them.

Also, I think it is a broad over generalizations that all Christians think alike.

Answer 3

Faith is the evidence of things unseen. - Straight out of the Bible, dude. I don't have to rationalize anything for you or anyone else. i believe what I believe. If you disagree, fine. Have a nice day.

There is nothing contradictory in anything in creation. Any confusion is a failure of man to properly intepret what he is seeing. Science is the only thing that is constantly updated.
The love of God has never changed.

Added: You seem to be looking past the kind words most Christians say to you so you can find the insults and yell, "See, see! See the Christian love they claim."

You have you answer. You have no faith because you hide you eyes from the Truth. We sincerely feel sorry for you. and will be praying for you.

Answer 4

where did you get the idea that He cares only that we believe that He exists- if that was the case- He would just show Himself, say I am God, and never communicate with His children. NO- good works do not get you into heaven- that is why Jesus came to earth to die in our place- take our sins upon Him so we can have a everlasting relationship with God. Knowing someone exists does not mean I have a relationship with that person. I know that you exist but I don't know you- God's purpose is for us not just to know about Him, but personally know Him- a complete difference. By the way, God is not hidden, you are not accepting the free gift-

Answer 5

You speak of proofs--You say you have sought God in every way you can--you speak as one who seeks scientific proof of God. You have not search with the truth of his word or you would be aware that God is not to be proved but rather worshiped. FAITH is the instrument to which God can be found. To the non-christian that would be the area where love abounds. If you are married, you know that love defies logic and requires faith. Faith is in life--Facts cannot deny that.

Answer 6

Dont question God. He puts obstacles in our way to test our faith and to see if we realy trust in home or not. All of those scientific esentials were and are not the way to the truth and i believe that work which is the scientific and wordly essentials should not mix with worshiping God because God is the truth, the life, and the way and once you worship him and beleive in him you will know better than to take part in and or believe other wordly asspects.

Answer 7

God has not hidden Himself from you. He is in plain view all the time. You have closed your mind to seeing Him. Once one takes the first step of faith, believing is not hard but oh so easy because as we step forward, so does He. Do you really think this earth is all there is to God's creation or in God's plan? Do you really think that the only thing God cares about is our belief in Him? He has created us to be so much more than we are in this life, but to belong in His eternal plan, we must live in His purity or the whole of creation will be eternally tainted. He will destroy what is unholy in His sight to maintain the purity of what He created to be holy. If you had cancer, would you not want it destroyed?

Answer 8

faith first, good works follow. believe if you want to, don't believe if you want. the sin of pride prevents you from acknowledging that you are not all powerful, how's that for no spin? and no, you don't deserve eternal punishment in hell, and you probably won't be, (if God doesn't mind me speaking for Him) because he is a lot more forgiving than you atheists give him credit for... even up to the last moment you draw breath. so, where's your tolerance for people who believe if you're so honorable?

Answer 9

I'm non-Christian, but this is how a Christian might rationalize faith.

Faith like that of a mustard seed. The bible says to have the faith of a mustard seed, that seed doesn't know about god, or anything, it just has total faith, without any doubt.

Answer 10

"Since "faith" is believing in something that is hard to believe in...?"

That is no where near what faith is. So your details are based on a false premise to begin with.

Kallan - OK, let's look at that scripture.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for."
C'mon materialists, what is a substance? It is something you can physically hold--it is a reality. The word "hope" is not "I hope my car won't run out of gas." but rather, in the Greek, it means, "I'm running out of gas, but there is a gas station--I now have hope." So faith is the reality of that which gives salvation.

"The evidence of things not seen."
Do you believe in atoms? Have you seen atoms? Why do you believe there are atoms? Because you have evidence. Evidence of things not seen. That doesn't make you a moron. That makes you a chemist and a physicist.

You used faith to sit in your chair at the computer. You trusted that the engineers were smart enough to use the right design and material to comfortably hold your weight in a sitting position. Faith is not believing that imaginary elves made the chair, and because I have never seen them, yet believe, it must be true. Faith is trust in One Who has proven His existence. Faith is deciding to believe the evidence rather than shut your eyes to what the evidence proves.
http://schnebin.blogspot.com/2007/04/proof-of-god.html

If you are dead-set on not believing God exists, then God will reinforce your disbelief--after all, that is what you want. Like Pharaoh, if you continue to harden your own heart, God will then "seal the deal" so that you will not be able to see the evidence that is so clearly before you. It all depends on what your free will desires. Eternal life, or your own way--and take your chances afterward. On the other hand, if you do want to know God, then seek Him, and ask Him to help you to believe with 100% assurance. God will reward your diligence in ways you will never imagine. I have faith that He will.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.