how could an atheist tell the difference between this statement and someone claiming to have been abducted by aliens?
Or someone claiming to remember a past life?
2007-10-08 05:26:19 · 20 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Its funny that way. When I tell a Christian that I've had a personal experience with God, they smile and engage me further, beleiving every minute of it.
When I tell them of a personal experience with Vishnu, they clam up and walk the other direction.
How does a Christian tell the difference?
2007-10-08 05:31:35 · answer #1 · answered by freebird 6 · 6⤊ 2⤋
The thing is that some people claiming to have had past-life experiences are able to provide a certain amount of verification. The American Society for Psychical Research has done some investigation in this area. They've published some of this investigation and it is worth looking at. This investigation is actual "evidence", and is much more objective than "I've had an experience with God".
A person able to provide information about a former life that can be verified is much greater evidence than has been provided for the existence of a God.
2007-10-08 09:24:41 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person who has personal experiences with God, is a person that will grow spiritually as a result of those experiences. Believers in the Bible were not the same once they met Jesus. An abduction by an alien would do nothing for a person's spiritual or moral growth. Nothing there to inherently make you a better person. Same thing for remembering a past life. Nothing there to make you a better person.
2007-10-08 05:32:45 · answer #3 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I listen, it's easy to see if someone is telling the truth or pulling your leg. Believe it or not, A lot of people around the world are going experience these encounters in the next few years also publicly admit them like none of us have ever heard or seen before. Some will think they are delusional nut cases and made it all up. But keep an open mind with the messages they say.
2007-10-08 05:57:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I told you I had a personal experience with a 12-foot tall white rabbit named Harvey, would you think me delusional?He's real, I tell you! I can see him standing right THERE!!
Yet someone saying he's had a personal experience with god is somehow different.
Aren't they both delusions? Any objective observer would say so; there is no more evidence for the existence of Harvey then there is for god (the movie by the same name with Jimmy Stewart notwithstanding).
NB: actually that's a very good movie. Well worth watching; you might get some perspective out of it that directly relates to your question.
2007-10-08 05:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Hello Eleventy...
This is very subjective, of course, because we are dealing with a personal God--not an impersonal force. An atheist would not be able to tell the difference unless he/she were to explore the subject matter for themselves on an individual basis. If God does exist, and He is indeed a personal God, then He should be able to make Himself known to the individual if they truly wish to come in to contact with Him. This is where faith comes in. Not in proof, but in trust and willingness to know.
John 17:3
Jesus prayed, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
2007-10-08 05:28:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I don't know how atheists see things or how they tell the difference. I suppose they couldn't since they don't have a descerning heart that comes with the Holy Spirit. You have to be seeking the truth to find it. Atheists usually do the opposite. They try to find a way out of seeing God in anything, rather than trying to find God.
2007-10-08 05:38:01 · answer #7 · answered by byHisgrace 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
dont you imply an atheist believing in aliens and past lifes?
2007-10-08 05:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by adam_reith_1 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
people abducted by aliens normally have sore arses
2007-10-08 05:30:32 · answer #9 · answered by numbnuts222 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't see a difference unless someone provides facts.
2007-10-08 05:31:42 · answer #10 · answered by krishnokoli 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋