Assuming God exists, it would be within his power to explain his message to each of us personally and in a manner that we can understand. Free of contradiction, confusion and debate. If he wanted us to be aware of this message, why wouldn't he explain himself instead of leaving his word in an ancient book. Why would he expect us to ignore our own ability to think analytically on the basis of a vague, abstract theory with no evidence in the tangible world?
2007-10-15 21:27:28 · 12 answers · asked by QuestionGuy2004 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Silvers answer is what you would expect from a christian
The truth is, that the bible is the word of man, if a God was really up there wanting us to believe in him, it would not be hard for such an omnipotent being to let hi8myself be know to the entire population of the earth. This would then make all t5he people of the earth believe in him. The christian version of God wanting to make you believe through faith, is just an excuse for the fact that he has not appeared to anyone for the last 1700 yrs! the church was forged by men in order to manipulate and subjugate the rest of the population. the church is no better than the mafia.
2007-10-15 22:23:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I understand where you're coming from. I've been there myself.
Most of the confusion is man-made. We get hung up on our own knowledge, and quit listening to God.
However, you can tell that there are Christians out there who ARE listening to God through the Holy Spirit. How can you tell? I've seen it: Sometimes, a non-believer will ask Christians a question on here, and regardless of denomination, just about every Christian will have the same answer (even if it's in different words). And then we're accused of being brainwashed. Sigh. But if we have different answers, it's because there's "confusion" in our religion.
God does explain things to us. We just have to learn to listen. Don't expect a burning bush; listen for His whisper.
And by the way, there's loads of evidence that supports events in the Bible.
2007-10-16 04:59:18 · answer #2 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bold words Silver tongue. It's odd how you got to be a top contributor by slamming other people's beliefs with slanderous rhetoric.
That aside, the problem with today's theists and non-theists alike is that they are too hooked on looking up and assuming that there is (or should be) proof. If you don't believe, then what is the point in lamenting over a fable (atheists to think that God is fictional, don't they?)?
Either way, it seems to me that even the atheists are relying on God (even though they claim disbelief) to make their point. The mere use of the term "God" implies a fascination (however minute) with the subject. I see more atheists obsess over talking about how God doesn't exist than they actually talk about the issues they claim to advocate (i.e.: separation of church and state, science in schools, what is written on legal tender, what words are in the pledge of allegiance, etc etc etc etc) Do you people just hide behind a banner of advocacy, signing your name on a petition here and there claiming that you do your part, or is there anything that you actually "do"? If so, is it anything more than getting "high" on flaunting your disbelief of God in front of Christians?
2007-10-16 05:55:34 · answer #3 · answered by forgottenmorals 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're right, of course. Many answerers so far seem to have suggested that God has already revealed his character in the bible - except who in their right mind would want to worship such a foul, jealous, genocidal, vindictive bully like that? You're saying you'd be happy to let God tell his side of the story and yet for those without the curse of thought its enough to take the fable without any additions.
God only has himself to blame if he wants people to have faith based on a self-contradictory book of nonsense like the bible. Of course people could say he'd punish you not for believing but if he could be that unjust its just one more reason not to believe in him.
Its like he only wants foolish and ignorant people to believe in him. Besides if you're a free and critical thinker you'll require better explanations than 'god did it' so science is going to make a lot more sense. As for morality, most of its common sense. Universality - I don't do to other people what I wouldn't want them to do to me. I don't need a cosmic policeman telling me I'll suffer if I don't do what he wants. If they do, what does that say about their own morality?
2007-10-16 05:19:52 · answer #4 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strange you should mention that. Because in a way He does just that. How? By sending His Holy Spirit to dwell within the bodies of all His believers.
Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
2007-10-16 04:37:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you go to a village and say to them that there are electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere. If they say we wont believe. Then if you explain and ask them to do certain things and even they don't like to do and if they don't believe.
What will you think. Oh we cannot make them believe because they don't believe and they don't want to try what I ask them to do.
You may think it is useless to say to them about electromagnetic waves.
if you say about how to produce rich yielding variety of plants they will hear and do what you say.
People who are having plenty of money may say I don't need God.
at the same time if you go to a cancer hospital and tell them that God is there to heal you and you have to believe these things and do these, then they will be ready to do that.
2007-10-16 04:54:57 · answer #6 · answered by R S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He did. Did you ever hear of Jesus Christ? And that Jesus Christ promised the Holt Spirit to come down and be in the world after He ascended?
7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. ( John 16)
Even before I knew of these verses I committed myself to God. He gave me the Holy Spirit - I was not in a Pentecostal church, and in fact, I was otherwise alone in a dark bedroom. God delivered on his promise of the Holy Spirit, and in order to get the Holy Spirit you have to trust God through Jesus Christ. It's the only way to get what you are asking for.
2007-10-16 04:35:46 · answer #7 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the books of exodus and numbers show that God's further revealing himself to us would have no greater effect on our ability to trust him. for were God to interact in a similar fashion with all of the people living today, we would respond no differently than did those israelites...our sinful hearts are the same as theirs. but even as a few of the israelites chose to trust God based on what he had revealed of himself in the past and were willing to trust him for the future, [going into the promised land - numbers 13:1-14:9], so we can choose to trust him for our future based upon what he has already revealed about himself and his character.
2007-10-16 04:32:19 · answer #8 · answered by Silver 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Almost any time a question contains the words "God" and "would," it's a meaningless question because we can't know what God would or wouldn't do. Yours is no exception. Ask Him yourself.
2007-10-16 04:35:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Because then there would be no such thing as free will.
While you may not decide to worship him, you could not deny his existence.
2007-10-16 04:33:34 · answer #10 · answered by sippers 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋