Christians, can you empathize with those who are frustrated that you base your life on something imaginary?

Question

Before you get too fluffed up, let me elaborate...
You have not seen God, correct?
You are required to "understand" everything you know about God through indirect sources...either the Bible, or, if he's real, through the world around you and through yourself. You must admit that your concept of God is an imagination of what he may be like. You must further admit that you cannot understand a being like that fully, so your concept is limited by your imagination. Nothing personal.

So, can you imagine how frustrated others could become when dealing with you in everyday life, and when faced with Bible-based legislation and Bible-based "morality"? Can you empathize?

Answer 1

You are right on one point. It would be awfully arrogant to think that I could totally understand God, especially if He is what I claim Him to be. One day Christians will be glorified and we will understand it ALL...I can't wait. My concept of God is not limited to my imagination, the Bible is the words of God Himself. But yes, I understand they some just don't get it and they want absolute proof.

Answer 2

Honestly I can't empathize with that view. The relationship I have with God is direct. The peace that brings me comes directly from Him. Answered prayer comes directly from Him. Usually I don't try and imagine Him, or what he looks like. I wouldn't pretend to think I could understand God fully, or what He does fully. I don't think I could even know any human fully, and we are way simpler than He. But I do know that He is Love, He is just, He desires fellowship, He works for good. I know a decent bit about him already. I don't need to "imagine" Him, especially because I have been shown Him and His love.

I can't empathize because I think the issue is blown out of proportion. There are a small number of events and circumstances that have a lot of people up in arms. As far as I can tell there is much more secular influence than Christian in government and daily life. Christians are normal people. Maybe you live in a high concentration area but I cant tell about very many people's beliefs in everyday life, no matter what they may be. Nobody is running around suburban Georgia smacking people with Bibles, or at least I don't see them.

Answer 3

Hey Gizmo, the world we live in isn't Bible based, When it was Bible based their were less crimes, People had respect for others, kids had respect for adults, here in America we were proud to be Americans, now kids are having their parents arrested because they got disciplined, people don't even know who their neighbors are crimes are higher than ever before and you see people waving flags from other nations which was also unheard of. I think the problem is the far left liberals of the world, not the Bible. So why should it matter what someone believes in as long as their happy. Stupid question, do your research

Answer 4

I understand this logic probably better than most. I have friends who are of different religions and try to convert me to their beliefs, so I can understand why this is frustrating for you.

Ultimately, most responses from the "Christian" or the "Atheist" sides are based on reactions. When questions are worded in a way that respects others, like this one, we can start to understand one another. When they are worded with "stupid" "ignorant" or other statements, you won't get answers that are helpful. Instead, it brings up defensive answers and nothing gets resolved.

In answer to your statements, though, I have to disagree with you on the fact that we imagine God. WE just view faith as something very different, and if you don't understand the perspective of faith, it's hard to see it for anything else but imaginary.

Answer 5

I do empathize with the area. As a Christian i'm taught to love specially issues previously I decide. I even have self assurance in Nature/Nurture (meaning you're able to properly be born a definite way and your upbringing is likewise a effect of who you're as a man or woman). i think of specially, the individuals who discover homosexuality to be a scourge so which you should assert are people who incredibly make existence complicated to stay with. Take the church that states "God Hates Fags" case in point. The make it look like we are meant to condem people who've those emotions and not attempt to comprehend them for what they are....God's advent.

Answer 6

Everything we know or think we know is interpreted by our brains. So while you can be frustrated by what you perceive as our imaginary God, couldn’t we just as easily say that it is your imagination that keeps you from believing? You imagine your own mind to be the very height of intellect. Right? There’s nothing greater or grander in the universe? What tells you this, other than what you perceive in your own mind?

Answer 7

Yes, I can , feel bad for a person who has no concept that faith, is a freedom of choice and if you choose to not believe in God, well that is your choice. It's sad that you seem to think that everyone should have the same mind set as yourself. Must be frustrating for a person to have to stand alone in his non. beliefs.

Answer 8

I hope that a Christian actually tries to address this without saying somehting that amounts to be being offended, and thus free from answering.

Answer 9

Here is my answer, 1st Corinthians 1:18.For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Answer 10

You know what gets me? Those who dishonestly claim to know Jesus. Come on. What does he look like? Who is his best friend? What is his favorite color? How long is his hair? What is his favorite football team? What books does he read? Does he like dogs?

These people do not know him at all, they lie.