E: I was simply saying that I have read your holy book and know what it has to say. I have in no way presented myself as an "expert".
R: that IS to present yourself as an expert. Until you humble yourself to the point of recognition that you can read it's words while gleaning ZERO understanding, I think a strong case can be made for reading it possibly doing more harm than good. I think we all have a mixed bad in that one.
So you're basically saying that your God is capable of creating the cosmos, but seems incapable of generating a holy text that doesn't require a squad of theologians to interpret?
I read the Bible with an open mind alongside theological interpretations. It just didn't convince me; that is what I am saying. I have also genuinely prayed to God to guide me to him, but never felt his presence as many claim to. Finally, when I look at the world around me, events seem to be more governed by the will of man and random chance than the intervening hand of a loving God. That is why I do not believe. What about that sentiment belies a false sense of mastery?
E: If God created me knowing what my path would be ahead of time, then I don't really have a free will. My decisions are bound to the personality and traits that God gave me.
R: At least you've opened up enough to be able to see your error. G-d's omniscience does not equate to your last statement here, not at all. This may be as simple as definition of terms, but I suspect a deeper understanding also comes to bear. Character is shaped by action. We can exercise self-discipline to do the right thing, and over time it becomes easer, for example.
Perhaps we are misunderstanding each other; here is what I am saying.
Let us assume for the sake of argument that God has direct knowledge of the future and is directly responsible for the creation of the universe. This means that God created the universe knowing full well beforehand that you and I would be having this conversation someday and that I would be an atheist. I am assuming that you would agree with these statements so far as most Christians believe God to be omniscient, having direct knowledge of all things past, present, and future.
I'm saying that although, yes, maybe I am in control of my own actions, those actions are still predetermined by the way God created the universe. So, really, it was destined all along under an omniscient God that I would come to be an atheist. He created the universe knowing beforehand that I would have the lack of belief that I do. So, the free will argument fails in this respect.
E: My logical objections to your religion are what you perceive to only exist in my mind, a nonsensical statement and frankly pathetic defence mechanism
R: Evan, you consistently present yourself as an expert. Until you can see that and repent, you're just going to spin your wheels.
You are engaging in question-begging by assuming the need for repentance in your argument.
What I'm saying is you're expressing your own thoughts, which is a direct counter to your claim of understanding Scripture.
Uh... well... yeah... I am expressing my thoughts regarding the scripture... y'know, that thing theologians and priests make a career out of?
Oh, wait... that's right, your God doesn't want anyone thinking for themselves, unless they happen agree with him of course... dangerous habit, that.
E: And you claim to "know" of this One you speak of. Knowledge eliminates the need for faith. Are you saying that you have direct knowledge of God? Do you directly converse with him? If so, then why do you need faith? Knowledge and faith are fundamentally incompatible states of mind. You cannot positively know something and have faith in it (in the dictionary sense) at the same time.
R: Simple resolution: the dictionary definition is irrelevant. What's the Biblical definition of Faith, and how could you possibly consider using anything else in a discussion like this? Following that definition, your statement here is quite false, and again shows the depth of your lack of insight on this subject.
How convenient that you are free to define faith however you choose. Cheekiness aside, are you saying that you know God to exist, but have faith in him more in a trust sense than regarding the question of his existence?
My understanding of faith is twofold:
1. Believing in a concept beyond what is warranted by existing evidence.
2. Putting trust in a person or deity.
I was taking issue with the coexistence of definition 1 and claiming to have direct interaction with God. Definition 2 admittedly is still compatible. If you have a different definition or feel that I am oversimplifying the concept, do share.
If you truly want to understand any of this, you'll have to humble yourself to become like a child, a babe in Christ, desiring the sincere milk of the Word as a starting point.
Children lack critical thinking skills and the ability to make rational inquiries. So, I suppose that statement makes sense. Like I said, if God wants non-believers to be persuaded by the Bible, perhaps he should have written it a little less cryptically and not filled it full of scientific, geographic, and historic inaccuracies.