A question about god?

Question

1. why doesn't god just show himself? it would make the decision of which religion to follow, if any, a whole lot easier?
2. isn't it a bit extreme to either have damnation for eternity, or paradise for eternity?

when i say that, i mean, a giant hand appearing in the sky and some sort of voice declaring every once in a while that hes still there, or along those lines.

Why the choice?
Why the test?
to choose between good and evil?
what kind of choice is that?
i sort of see it as a choice between heaven and hell, its not a choice... its forcing people

this question has taken a not unexpected, serious tone. I asked mainly to invoke discussion, but also to see what people thought

I myself consider myself an agnostic, and I believe that god exists, perhaps only in imagination but that is enough to change the world.

I do not believe in the bible, or at least in the literal interpretation of it, and thus this question is not so much put to god, as it is to those who believe in it.

Emphasis on the second question, its more to do with, why do people seek punishment? Do people judge? Does it seem like a 2 sided coin, why doesn't the world have more shades of grey? And finally, to those who go to heaven, if they are truly good hearted, what will they think when they look into the eyes of those who miss out?

to guthrio
that is a long, well thought out answer and i'm impressed. I think i understand at least parts of it, and for other parts you've given me something to think about.
But why does hell exist? or is there something i'm missing?
And i wonder if other theists all agree with you.

Answer 1

1. God doesn't show himself because he wants us to make a personal decision to follow and love Him for what He has given us. Showing Himself simply would nullify the choice that we have to make between good and evil.
2. I don't see it as extreme. He is a loving but just Creator and if you choose not to follow His ways and live your life accordingly, why would you not be punished? Someone who devotes their entire life to God deserves the paradise and someone who shuns God should not receive God forever just because it might not be fair. Choose wisely.

Answer 2

God showed Himself in the best way possible in Jesus Christ and people still din`t accept Him, would it be any different in today`s humanist society?
God is the creator and He makes the rules not us,very few can accept this because of a false sense of their own importance, it is how it is and nothing can change the fact.
Damnation in Hell is the last thing God wants for us or else He would not have sent His Son into the world in the first -place, Hell is that place reserved for the devil and the fallen Angels who rejected Gods love by declaring``We will not serve`` they cannot reverse their decision because they had perfect knowledge of their act.
We on the other hand are vastly less intelligent than the Angels and God knows full well that we cannot possibly understand the terrible reality of Hell and an infinite existence of being without love, to get another chance even in secular matters is a wonderful thing when we have done wrong but to get a second chance for eternal joy is infinitely greater than this and yet we play about with it as a cat plays with a ball of wool.

Answer 3

God cannot show himself because no man may see Him and live. Exodus 33:20. In other words, His personage is much too strong for human eyes to be able to stand. By way of comparison, we can barely look directly at the sun. We certainly cannot look directly at an eclipse. How much less could we look at the most awesome person in the universe! Our human eyes could not take it.

Even if we could, however, there is no guarantee that it would move people to make a decision about which religion to follow. Neither in fact could it. How could just seeing God tell us which faith is true? As for the visual, people are momentarily moved by the emotion of a miracle or some other such thing they "see". But its power is not lasting enough to move one to change his life and dedicate it to God. No, we respond as outlined in Romans 10:14-17. Notice the logical step-by-step process recorded there.

Moreover, according to Hebrews 4:12, it is not the visual but, rather, God's word that moves and motivates. Notice the absolute power of the "word of God" as described there. That is what moves people. When they study God's word – in the manner God has provided – this moves in their hearts and that moves in their lives. That is why even many who saw the miraculous events of the exodus from Egypt or the miraculous events in the life of Christ Jesus still refused to put faith in God. It is quite simple really.

Actually it is either everlasting non-existence or everlasting life. That is the punishment and the reward. Do you really find either to be extreme? Would you rather that people who please God have life for only about 700 years? That's not a reward. That's a tease. And would you rather that people who refuse to behave just be confined to a cage somewhere? That's not punishment, that's torture.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 4

Ok first off, do you believe in Heaven? It's going to be a wonderful eternal paradise, right? Then logically speaking, if there is something that good, then an opposite must exist. A Hell must exist and people must go there, just like Heaven, correct? Ok, now that we have that straightened out.

Why would God show himself in today's world? He showed Himself and walked this earth centuries ago and He said that He would return, He just didn't say when. Just because He doesn't show Himself, doesn't mean He doesn't exist. It's called faith. You have to have it. Just like man cannot even begin to think about eternity in Heaven & Hell, some things man simply cannot grasp or understand and we never will, not until we die and are judged.

Answer 5

The Lord reserves the right not to reveal Himself to anyone and everyone but to show Himself only to those souls who surrender unto Him. Thus for the surrendered soul He is always within reach, whereas for the unsurrendered soul He is far, far away and cannot be approached.
And the explanation is because we came to this material world with the only purpose of rejecting Him.

2. In one sense you are right. To be in hell for eternity it doesn't make sense. But since we are eternal spirit soul, part and parcel of God, and since God is eternal, then we are also eternal, and our nature is unending seeking pleasure entities, so, our eternal constitutional position is to be with God eternally, enjoying different variates of relationship of pleasure with Him. And is the ultimate destiny of the soul who is wandering in this material universe from time inmemorial, going back home, back God.

Answer 6

1. Because I believe that it would be too easy. Maybe He has a plan for us, & maybe he's experimenting with imperfect beings. & I also believe that his power would overwhelm us too much.
2. In my belief, damnation for ETERNITY is very difficult to get to, we get punished for a while, but we will eventually make it to paradise if we believe that there is just one God. But again, this is just my belief system.

Answer 7

lots of people think god doesnt show himself because god doesnt exist. i agree, the appearance of god would definately make it easy to decide which religion to follow. (though then again, maybe i would still decide not to follow a religion and just believe).

its very extreme. either way would suck. damnation is pretty self-explanatory. paradise might sound good for a while, but think about it... i, for one, would want something to change after so long.

Answer 8

1.That would be a little too easy don't you think? Do you think we would all truly appreciate our salvation if it were just handed to us on a platter?
There are two millionaires. One born into his wealth, and the other worked like a dog to make his. Who do you think appreciates his money more?
2. Extreme? Perhaps....but God does nothing half-assed. I have one short earthly life to earn my eternity. Sounds like I am getting the deal of a life there!

Answer 9

Find out from Romans 1 from verse 25 downwards.

Answer 10

M~K you are retarded.

got doesn't show himself because he can't since he is a non existent being.

The same argument can be used for many things.

Why doesn;t the Boogie man show himself?
Why doesn't Santa Clause show himself?
Why doesn't the Easter bunny show himself?

They all come to the same answer.

Sorry Kids. None of them are real. They are made up.