Can an a Christian God exist?

Is scientific evidence necessary for someone to want to merely have faith?

 

The reason we don't see life on other planets is we have only examined a miniscule number of the planets that might support life. And then of course we can only do the most superficial examination with our current methodology.

 

If something is supported by evidence than it can't be faith based by definition.

 

But you said there isn't evidence. So it's still faith right?

 

Yes of course belief in the other side is faith. Belief in a god is faith. But belief on life other than on the earth is probabliity, and yes I do have faith in probability. Given an almost infinite number of planets capable of supporting life I do believe that there will be life on other planets. That by the way doesn't mean that we will ever know one way or the other unless of course we become capable of faster than light travel.

 

An intelligent person allows for growth. Originally I allowed for the possibility that God does not exist, but after examining the data I made a decision that God does exist, and then concluded that Christianity was the truth. I continue to talk with people of other religions, and if someone can convince me that I am wrong then my position will grow accordingly.

 

Perhaps it isn't so much a 'test' as it is a 'choice.'

You can either choose to pass to the next level of existance where you will be *more* in God's presence (or more able to perceive it) or you can choose to pass on to where God is *not*.

If we're talking about Biblical God, then we're talking about God who *is* Love, Peace, Contentment, Bliss. To move on the where God is, is to move on to where Love, Peace, Contentment, Bliss are. To move on to where God is not is to move on to where Love, Peace, Contentment, Bliss are not.

Perhaps God created 'Hell' merely so that those who would reject Him would have the option of existing without Him, and Hell is so 'Hellish' simply because thats the natural state of an existance void of God.

 

If your position is based on faith which it appears to be there is no possibility that anyone will be able to convince you that you are wrong. If your position is actually logic based then it would be easy enough for you to accomplish without help.

 

I suspect this is partly why there is not much 'divine intervention' going on. Factually knowing ALL of the results of an action throughout all of time makes it virtually impossible to take any action at all without manipulating people in a direction that differs from that of their natural Will.

 

1) What of natural evil (suffering caused by natural disasters)?
2) Do you have free will in heaven?
3) Did Jesus work miracles (as a supernatural intervention in the world) - did working miracles infringe upon free will then?
4) Since much suffering/evil arises out of ignorance, couldn't humans be smarter, with better moral knowledge, freely choosing to make better decisions?

 

A position based upon logic does not mean a position is objectively irrefutably proven, it only means that the position is arrived at through a reasoned examination of available information (and "information" includes scientific data, personal experience, other peoples experiences, history, etc.).

Faith is a trust based on experience and understanding. A person trusts her father to drive her safely to school because he has demonstrated through a myriad of actions that he is trustworthy. Its the same with believing in God, and having faith in God.

I, and all the religious people that I know, made my decision based on a reasoned examination of the information. After making that decision, based upon my experiences and testimony of people I trust, I have faith that God has my best interests in heart.

 

1- Good question. Many natural disasters occur as a result of people choosing to live in dangerous areas. Water rises and floods, volanoes erupt, oceans have hurricanes, etc.
Obviously not all natural disasters could potentially be avoided, like earthquakes. Its my opinion that part of our purpose is to grow and progress as A People. This requireless an environment with challenges to endure and overcome. In the same way that a child never becomes an adult if it doesnt have to suffer and work to some extent, neither would humanity progress in a riskless, utopic environment.

2- I assume so. But theres so many possibiliries as to what heaven actually *is* that its really hard to say.

3- I dont recall Jesus ever countering anyones Free Will with God power. Additionally, its my understanding that Jesus had neither the knowledge nor the power of God, but merely the Faith to call on the power of God and the wisdom to do so appropriately. As a 'mortal' human with limited power, I don't think Jesus had the ability to force anyone to go against their will.

4- what do you mean by 'moral knowledge?' The Bible does say that we are all gifted with a knowledge of 'right and wrong.' But we are quite good at deceiving ourselves into 're-defining' or rationalizing away and eventually ignoring those 'preset' morals.

 

Yep, the pictures coming out of the Middle East certainly prove that god has the believers best interests at heart. Nothing like endless pictures of dead children's bodies to prove god's love. Or perhaps pictures of starvation and disease are more comforting.

It always amazes me when the survivors credit a god and forget that the same god forgot all about the victims that were not saved.

 

Did I write "all believers"? No, I did not. I wrote "I, and all the religious people that I know". Learn to read.

 

If one would only listen to that still small voice he might see the influence of Godly desire. Sometimes tragedy or hitting bottom can be that influence. God always gives grace to the humble but resists a haughty spirit.

 

Some don't understand the Christian concept of God. God has always (from a Christian viewpoint ok) wanted to reconcile himself to man. Man failed at the first covenant. So God became fully man and staying as God as well made a second covenant. The second covenant reconciled God to man by God being fully man and propitiating Himself as Jesus the perfect man for any person who believes.

God created a universe and we became God aware on this one planet. And we are inherently evil not by His design but by our very nature (see chimpanzees).

God if God could create a paradise everywhere. Perhaps He allows free will and the evil that follows because if loved He prefers it be voluntary. Created beings that are incapable of being fallible cannot give the same love as those who are.

That's the Christian concept.

 

As it says in Matthew 15:24 (CEB) = Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”

 

Read 21-28. Yes, He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. He was not an apostle to the Gentiles. But you leave out why and also the fact it was Jesus who sent His Apostles to the Jews and Paul or Saul of Tarsus to the Gentiles. The entire Bible is the story of God reconciling Himself to man- assuming you believe in a Christian God. But don't lead astray those who have yet to understand in maturity by giving half truths.

 

So Sau/Paul, who had been killing people like a homicidal maniac and was on his way to kill some more, saw a vision (probably from sun stroke) and instantly changed his ways and because the founder of Christianity. OK. But I would have to be an idiot with an IQ of 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 points to buy that BS story as told in the fairy tale.

 

Thank you proving yourself wrong about your god sorting test nonsense!

At least we are making a little progress here!

 

I graduated from religion a long time ago!

However others probably feel "safer" living in god's basement retaking the same silly tests and failing over and over again.

 

What imaginary "data" did you "examine" that proved that "god does exist"?

 

Don't need to waste my entire life looking for some imaginary "Love, Peace, Contentment, Bliss" when I found all of the "Love, Peace, Contentment, Bliss" that I need right here on earth.

Strange that my life is "void of god" and there is nothing "hellish" about it.

 

Why is the Christian god so NEEDY that he requires "love" from his own creations?

Curious too that the ONLY way this Christian god demonstrates "love" is though killing. Not only is the OT littered with accounts of mass slaughters by god but it also includes accounts where he orders his chosen people to murder women and children and even abort 3rd term fetuses. And it doesn't stop there either. His method of allegedly demonstrating his "love" for "all mankind" was the torture and brutal killing of his own son!

Something is just not right with a killer demanding to be "loved" or else!

 

So are you tacitly admitting that you lacked the discipline to make it through your entire life without the crutch of an imaginary god?