How certain are you of your faith beliefs?

[bhsmte]

One piece I find interesting, is asking believers how certain they are of their personal faith belief and or belief in God.

In other words, I am curious how many Christians are willing to admit; they may be wrong in what they believe and it is possible, the God they believe in does not exist.

In regards to atheists, It would also be interesting to hear how many have the position, that there is a zero percent chance, that a God exists.

Thanks.

 

[Received]

I'm much more certain of the goodness of God than any conceptualization I have of this goodness. I guess that's closer to faith, really.

 

[bhsmte]

I'm much more certain of the goodness of God than any conceptualization I have of this goodness. I guess that's closer to faith, really.

You lost me.

 

[Received]

Just follow the direction of the river until you reach the exit.

 

[bhsmte]

Just follow the direction of the river until you reach the exit.

"This here river don't go to Aintree"

From the movie; Deliverence

 

[znr]

You mean the God you no longer believe in? Which version of God is in question? (very subjective, no?) Could you please be more specific? If you wish, I mean no pressure.

 

[bhsmte]

You mean the God you no longer believe in? Which version of God is in question? (very subjective, no?) Could you please be more specific? If you wish, I mean no pressure.

This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with what you believe and how sure you are of the belief. If you believe in a God, you have one in mind right? So, whatever God that is.

 

[znr]

Okay, as you wish. I've already told you which God I believe in, the one who saves. I don't mind referring to him as the "Christian" God, for reference sake, but he's a lot bigger than that to me.

I have doubts, sure. Not so much in his existence, though I do go through ups and downs. It's not an easy life. There are days I choose to believe and days I'm less insecure. But my past is an issue and there are reasons I'm timid. All in all, I'm trusting and remain hopeful.

Was that too vague?

This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with what you believe and how sure you are of the belief. If you believe in a God, you have one in mind right? So, whatever God that is.

 

[bhsmte]

Okay, as you wish. I've already told you which God I believe in, the one who saves. I don't mind referring to him as the "Christian" God, for reference sake, but he's a lot bigger than that to me.

I have doubts, sure. Not so much in his existence, though I do go through ups and downs. It's not an easy life. There are days I choose to believe and days I'm less insecure. But my past is an issue and there are reasons I'm timid. All in all, I'm trusting and remain hopeful.

Was that too vague?

Ok. Should I take that as; you have faith in the God you believe in, but you do leave open the possibility that you may be wrong?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

One piece I find interesting, is asking believers how certain they are of their personal faith belief and or belief in God.

In other words, I am curious how many Christians are willing to admit; they may be wrong in what they believe and it is possible, the God they believe in does not exist.

In regards to atheists, It would also be interesting to hear how many have the position, that there is a zero percent chance, that a God exists.

Thanks.

bhsmte,

Is your question an epistemological one, or is it instead an emotive one?

Peace

 

[znr]

Well, even the bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. What happens when a persons faith is deeply challenged? They doubt and linger on "does God REALLY exist?" I am a hypocrite if I believe in a God who saves, but lacks the compassion to work with my doubt. Could I be wrong and there is no God? Yes, I could be wrong. That's fine. I still believe. Truly, like a child. Hope this was a decent answer for you insofar as I'm working hard here to converse candidly and without pretense.

Ok. Should I take that as; you have faith in the God you believe in, but you do leave open the possibility that you may be wrong?

 

[Received]

"This here river don't go to Aintree"

From the movie; Deliverence

Nice!

 

[bhsmte]

bhsmte,

Is your question an epistemological one, or is it instead an emotive one?

Peace

Would you have a different answer for each one?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Would you have a different answer for each one?

...not particularly...but it could be possible.

In answer to your somewhat generic question, I unabashedly admit that I could be wrong about God's existence...and I'm fine with that.

There was a time when I literally 'chased' theological certainty, but now I 'know' that it is very unlikely that God will afford me that luxury.

 

[znr]

A bit off topic...In some circles your view would be considered unbelief and warrant correction. I keep a lot of my views to myself. Like, views on eternal damnation, on which I haven't really formed a clear opinion or belief, and I've been a Christian for a long time. But I feel often pushed by other believers to hurry the heck up and decide. Funny, i dont feel at all convicted about my lack of opinion on hell.

...not particularly...but it could be possible.

In answer to your somewhat generic question, I unabashedly admit that I could be wrong about God's existence...and I'm fine with that.

There was a time when I literally 'chased' theological certainty, but now I 'know' that it is very unlikely that God will afford me that luxury.

 

[bhsmte]

Well, even the bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. What happens when a persons faith is deeply challenged? They doubt and linger on "does God REALLY exist?" I am a hypocrite if I believe in a God who saves, but lacks the compassion to work with my doubt. Could I be wrong and there is no God? Yes, I could be wrong. That's fine. I still believe. Truly, like a child. Hope this was a decent answer for you insofar as I'm working hard here to converse candidly and without pretense.

Thanks Z.

 

[bhsmte]

...not particularly...but it could be possible.

In answer to your somewhat generic question, I unabashedly admit that I could be wrong about God's existence...and I'm fine with that.

There was a time when I literally 'chased' theological certainty, but now I 'know' that it is very unlikely that God will afford me that luxury.

Fair enough, thanks.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

A bit off topic...In some circles your view would be considered unbelief and warrant correction. I keep a lot of my views to myself. Like, views on eternal damnation, on which I haven't really formed a clear opinion or belief, and I've been a Christian for a long time. But I feel often pushed by other believers to hurry the heck up and decide. Funny, i dont feel at all convicted about my lack of opinion on hell.

Hi ZNR,

You're right, of course about my views; there are Christians with whom I could bump heads, but I'm not overly concerned with their reactions. Besides, if they want to take me to task over the meaning of Hebrews 11:1, then I'll require that they do it using some kind of reference to the Koine Greek tools available. (But, as you know, some Christians will try to remind us that if the English Bible was good enough for Paul, it should be good enough for us too...)

Ah Hell....yes, I remember that concept. Strangely, Hell really didn't become a factor in my decision to give Christianity a place in my life. I was taken in by the idea of eternal life with Jesus. But, I guess if a person feels they play with fire often enough, they might want fire insurance.

 

[dhh712]

One piece I find interesting, is asking believers how certain they are of their personal faith belief and or belief in God.

In other words, I am curious how many Christians are willing to admit; they may be wrong in what they believe and it is possible, the God they believe in does not exist.

In regards to atheists, It would also be interesting to hear how many have the position, that there is a zero percent chance, that a God exists.

Thanks.

I definitely may be wrong. Objectively, that remains in the realm of possibility since there is no objective or empirical evidence of the biblical God outside of the Bible (which the non-believer wouldn't accept because that would be using the Bible to prove the Bible which is circular logic) and I don't think any Christian can argue against that. If there were to be any objective evidence, then it wouldn't be faith anymore. That's what faith is: believing something based on their word alone. I believe in God based on His word alone; I'm quite sure this is a requirement of all Christians actually.

Also, I'd usually say that I'm not right but that the Bible is right; saying I'm right sounds too arrogant to me (but maybe that's just more of that recoil effect of having been quite an arrogant atheist for a long while). (I really do think I'm right else I wouldn't base my whole life around the belief I have; but do I know without a doubt I'm right? Of course not--that's what faith is however, like I mentioned. Sometimes God strengthens our faith so that there is practically no doubt--except for that lingering rationalism, for those that are familiar with scientific evidence and have that sort of background, that says that really, there is no empirical evidence--and sometimes our faith weakens so that we are assailed by many doubts).

 

[keith99]

I'm much more certain of the goodness of God than any conceptualization I have of this goodness. I guess that's closer to faith, really.

Sort of the converse of my confidence. I am sure that the God of the Bible as portrayed by many (perhaps most) American Christians does not exist.

The further one gets from an insecure all powerful God who seems to live to be worshiped the less inclined I am to be positive.