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How do you explain how the earth and the universe was created in the first place? If there was nothing before the universe and space, then how would have something been created if there was nothing? Something can't come out of nothing. It's virtually impossible. There has to be something or someone who created this and us.
I'm glad you got this far. This is really the nub of the matter. How much evidence do you need before you accept a belief? Where is the stage at which one in simply clinging to the smallest percentage of doubt in order to maintain a treasured belief?
Time and again, I have come up against those who see it simply as a 'believe or not' question. The weight of evidence should be the only valid factor in the argument. In fact, maintaining Faith in the face of overwhelming evidence against turns out to be, time and again, the only real factor.
This is why atheists talk of 'blind faith' and they are right to do so.
Again, which God? I'll bet you're pretty sure that Odin doesn't exist, no? You can't be 100% sure of anything, true but you can use logic and reason to weed out the absurdities.
Thank you for being honest.
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuixoticHobbit
Tell me, which one of these two statements seems more likely to be true?
1) There are pink polka dotted elephants on mars who communicate telepathically with humans on Earth.
2) There is microscopic bacteria living in the frigid water under the ice on Europa.
Your biblical god (and Odin) is akin to #1. Yes, there may be a "God" or creator out there but if so it is a far more reasonable, intelligent and rational being than Bible god. Such a being will simply NOT be the anthropomorphic, jealous, angry child who hears prayers, gives commandments, cares what you do on Sundays, what you eat or who you marry/have sex with and who cleans up its messes by sending its "son" to die in primitive blood sacrifices. Sorry!
Why not?
Last edited by Horn of ‘83; 02-08-2011 at 01:00 PM..
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuixoticHobbit Again, which God? I'll bet you're pretty sure that Odin doesn't exist, no? You can't be 100% sure of anything, true but you can use logic and reason to weed out the absurdities.
Thank you for being honest.
Tell me, which one of these two statements seems more likely to be true?
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuixoticHobbit 1) There are pink polka dotted elephants on mars who communicate telepathically with humans on Earth.
2) There is microscopic bacteria living in the frigid water under the ice on Europa.
Your biblical god (and Odin) is akin to #1. Yes, there may be a "God" or creator out there but if so it is a far more reasonable, intelligent and rational being than Bible god. Such a being will simply NOT be the anthropomorphic, jealous, angry child who hears prayers, gives commandments, cares what you do on Sundays, what you eat or who you marry/have sex with and who cleans up its messes by sending its "son" to die in primitive blood sacrifices. Sorry!
Why not?
Because that "God" is the invention of Man. Believe in a god if you must, but to believe that this god cares about the silly things that bible god does is well, silly.
Because that "God" is the invention of Man. Believe in a god if you must, but to believe that this god cares about the silly things that bible god does is well, silly.
Most people have absolutely no doubts about their religious views. This seems to be true for Muslims, atheists, Christians, or Jews.
I have no doubts about my religious views. However, when I first became a Christian, I had serious doubts about my salvation. Salvation by faith alone seemed illogical. I felt like I needed to earn my salvation, & that I was unable to live up to God's standard. Over time & through much prayer & Bible study, I realized my salvation is all about what Jesus did for me, & nothing about what I could do for Him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hiker45
So you don't have any serious doubts, but that implies you have some minor doubts. Could you please share them with us?
Like King David, I sometimes do not feel God's presence in my life. I have certain expectations of God, & many times His plan for me does not match my plan for me.
Thankfully, as the book of Hebrews tells us, Jesus understands & sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Sure. As I said in an earlier post, I've seen evidence of God in my own life & in the lives of friends & family members.
Actually you haven't. You may have seen and experienced things that you have attributed to God, but you have absolutely no way of knowing if you are correct in that attribution. Again, faith is not evidence. Assumption is not fact.
I have no doubts about my religious views. However, when I first became a Christian, I had serious doubts about my salvation. Salvation by faith alone seemed illogical. I felt like I needed to earn my salvation, & that I was unable to live up to God's standard. Over time & through much prayer & Bible study, I realized my salvation is all about what Jesus did for me, & nothing about what I could do for Him.
Like King David, I sometimes do not feel God's presence in my life. I have certain expectations of God, & many times His plan for me does not match my plan for me.
Thankfully, as the book of Hebrews tells us, Jesus understands & sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Jimmie, that is a very clear statement of your religious views and you answered my question perfectly.
The famous English poet John Milton was concerned he could not serve god fully because he was going blind, but he came to the same realization as you have and wrote the poem "On His Blindness". I read it in high school and always liked it.
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