I never said you have no ability, it was in the form of a question. I'll ask it a better way. Would you have the ability to live a positive life without the existence of God?
Of course I would. Being a good person and positive is not impossible without God. It will not save you though.
However, you insinuated that I was saying that I couldn't. You punctuated that accusation with "Yikes" as if you had already answered my question for me with a "yes". All this when I had never even touched on that issue.
This is called "putting words in someones mouth".
What does this have to do with the existence of God or not? Let's put it in those terms, shall we?
You come to my village and tell me I can live a better life if I pray a certain prayer and worship your God. I ask you for evidence of this. You, of course say you cannot provide this. I reject your claim. I still live a positive life.
Yep, spot on. Then, when you close your eyes for the last time and your heart stops. Where are you now? It's all a choice. One dies of the virus, the other survives.
You missed the point of my post. I will ask questions instead. Why do you believe in God without any evidence for that claim? What else in your life do you believe without evidence? If I told you that your significant other was cheating on you but I told you that it was impossible to provide evidence for that claim, would you believe me?
I would certainly take the information seriously. You, I assume, wouldn't have any reason to lie to me. I could then approach my spouse, lovingly and non accusingly and tell them that what situation was brought to my attention... couldn't I.
You can do this with God too.
Sure. But I don't live my life based on what I want to be true. To me, that's intellectually dishonest. I care about what is likely true. I want to know as many true things as I possibly can. I conclude what is true based on what the evidence leads to.
Understandable. Do you believe that I have ulterior motives when I tell someone about my faith in God's word and His salvation for me? If your best friend from forever told you something like that, would you consider it to be "likely true". Then would you care? What if the most important truth in your life can only be attained by faith which is followed by evidence?
Humans believe in a lot of things without evidence. Aliens, Karma, Fate, Intuition, ghosts, psychics, horoscopes.....Do you believe in any of these? When you say "I care about what is "likely" true". That "likely" gives you license to choose what you yourself feel is OK to believe. That's fine too, nothing wrong with that.
Actually, my life became better after I released myself from the shackles of religion. Life is more beautiful. I'm more awe inspired. I think wanting to believe that there is some eternal paradise after I die is wishful thinking. I don't think wishful thinking is healthy.
No doubt. Religion's do that. They shackle you to rules and actions that you must do or must not do. I try to stay away from churches and institutions that claim to be of God, if they start to restrict me or tell me things I have to do.
Salvation though Christ is a gift of eternal life. All you have to do is accept it. Truly be sorry for the sins of your life. (Which, lets be honest, sins are just things that would make you an undesirable person in any civilized society.)
I have a great Christian friend that uses the odd curse word, some smoke, many still drink alcohol, some even play slots or bet on horses for fun....I don't fault them for it...
If you look at what Christ asks of you "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor" that's pretty basic stuff for any ethical person, believer or not.
If any of the above "sinful" traits start to hurt you physically or mentally or affect the lives of others... well, then your not loving your neighbor, are you? Nor are you loving God with all your heart as we are told that our bodies are God's temple, as a believer.
Yet, I am not shackled. Break the laws of men.... well then you pay your earthly penalties.
Is this the same creator that will send me to hell because I don't find the claims of his existence to be likely? I'd rather not worship someone that capricious
God is not "sending" you to hell. People get this wrong. We send ourselves to hell.
If a guy robs a bank, get's caught and goes to jail.... is it right for him to say... "That judge sent me to jail"?
We committed sin. We did it as a conscious act. So,,, how is He sending us to hell. He is offering us a pardon. He came and lived without sin and took our punishment for our sins. He didn't sin. He didn't rob the bank but went to jail as if he did. Now He is saying "accept my pardon or serve your sentence yourself, your choice".
How self centered of us to say "God is sending us to hell". He wanted us to be in fellowship with Him forever so He sacrificed himself for us... How rude to say "naw, your sending me to hell, I don't want your "salvation"".
Again, I am not going to believe something with no evidence. Just because you want something to be true, doesn't make it true. Wishful thinking is a waste of time.
You're right, wanting something to be true doesn't make it true. You do believe some things, already, without evidence.
Not believing in something that is true, because there is no evidence, is also not going to alter the truth.
So, you don't care about the burden of proof? It's impossible to prove a negative. Just because a claim hasn't been proved false, doesn't make it true. Nobody has shown over your 40 some years that there aren't leprechauns. Do you also believe in leprechauns?
No I don't believe in leprechauns or Santa. But, what is the consequence if I don't believe in them and they are in fact true?...... Nothing. Not a sniff..
Have you ever got down on your knees and prayed to a leprechaun and had your eyes opened to seeing them?
Probably not. However, many people have done that to God and the changes in their lives are as real to them as any evidence that you claim to need to be able to believe in anything. Let me know if anyone has had the same experience about leprechauns.
You admit that you hold these beliefs without evidence. Above, you show that you are susceptible to someone shifting the burden of proof. This demonstrates that someone could get you to believe just about anything.
I hold these beliefs without evidence that I can show you. The evidence that I have is personal, in my heart and mind that is so strong that you can not move me from it. If I told you, you would dismiss it.
The only way you can see is to first take the way of faith. We cannot show anyone any evidence. However, ask anyone who does believe and it is as apparent to them as any evidence you would ever require for yourself.
That is how it works. We are saved by faith, then comes light on the solid rock truth.
I haven't heard Pascal's Wager in a while. This is probably the worst argument for believing in a God. It can be used for anything. For example "On the other hand, if I am right about Odin, what negative situation are you going to end up in?"
Do you see how that is a terrible argument?
Ya, it's a bad argument. However, it still has a point. When you breath your last.... it's too late.
"Who is gullible here? Me for believing in Krishna, or, you for taking an eternal chance that Krishna doesn't exist?"
You should really ask yourself this question: Do I have a justifiable reason for believing what I do?
You've basically said you have no evidence for your beliefs, so you make a bet instead. Is this a good reason to believe something?
I have no evidence that I can show you. I have all the evidence that I need in my heart, my soul and my mind.
Satan likely doesn't exist either. But, your claim, your burden of proof.
Yep, no evidence of Satan either..... impossible to give any.
Well, i'm not intimidated by threats. If someone claims to have a message of some eternal bliss in paradise and has to resort to threats, i'm just going to roll my eyes.
Fair enough. Nobody should be threatened in order to believe. Just one quick question. If a parent tells a kid not to touch a hot stove or they will get burned. Is that a threat or advice?
