The biggest obstacle that keeps you from theism?

[Paradoxum]

Usually when I have talked to atheists the claims they make for not believing I find to not be an issue. Reality? He is supernatural? There is evil in the world? evolution? prayer not being answered? Men wrote the bible? Reason? Contradictions? etc. And these are all just perspectives which I differ on and have reasons for why so and so doesn't happen using the same said word they discount. It's like I am using a material as a proof for my answers but their unbelief makes it not work out.

There really isn't much of a issue I guess.

There are a three different kinds of people
Those who see
Those who see when are shown
Those who do not see

I give up on someone over the first try.

If at first you don't succeed, give up?

It seems to me, that it generally takes people a while to change their mind. They have to be made to think about an issue and an argument a number of times for it to sink in.

 

[Gadarene]

Theists.

 

[32k]

Concepts that keep you from Orthodox Christianity?

1.) The possibility that God condemns people who don't even know Him
2.) Eternal punishment for non-eternal sins
3.) Expects us to choose Him or else we suffer hell, all this despite our insufficient knowledge etc.

 

[Oafman]

The biggest obstacle that keeps you from theism?

I think you're approaching this from the wrong direction.

The question states that there's something - an obstacle - blocking me from believing in God. It suggests that my default state is to believe in absolutely everything in which I could possibly believe, until I find a specific reason - obstacle - not to believe in each particular thing.

It's that old burden of proof chestnut again. Which ironically, is the biggest obstacle that keeps me from theism

 

[yasic]

As the title states:

1. For those that are non-theists, including atheists, ignostics, agnostics, anti-theists, apatheists etc. etc., what is the single biggest obstacle for you in being a theist?

Only one - lack of evidence for the existence of a God.

2. If this biggest obstacle, question, complaint, etc. etc. could be addressed either partly or completely, is it rational to think that any other questions or obstacles, or complaints could be addressed that you may have which is hindering you from affirming the existence of God?

Nope, if I had solid evidence that God exists, I would believe in the existence of said God.

3. Is this obstacle, question, complaint volitional or intellectual in nature?

It does not matter in what form the evidence is as long as it is sound. It can be in the form of logical conclusion or direct visual proof (alongside evidence I was not high/crazy), either of these work work as would other forms of evidence.

4. If God exists, do you think there would be evidence of His existence?

Depends on the God. For a deistic one not necessarily, for one that interacts with the world on a regular basis I would expect some evidence to exist.

5. If God exists, do you think He would reveal Himself to us or desire to have a relationship with us?

Depends on the God. I see no reason why God must have a specific trait or not.

6. What is your understanding of the concept "God"?

"God" is the god described in Judaism, Islam, or Christianity (Mormonism and JW included)

7. If you were given sufficient evidence that Christianity were true, would you become a Christian?

Depends on how you define "Christian". Would I believe the Christian god existed if there was evidence for him - yes. Would I worship him - probably not (at least not the type of God described in the bible)

 

[Jade Margery]

Usually when I have talked to atheists the claims they make for not believing I find to not be an issue. Reality? He is supernatural? There is evil in the world? evolution? prayer not being answered? Men wrote the bible? Reason? Contradictions? etc. And these are all just perspectives which I differ on and have reasons for why so and so doesn't happen using the same said word they discount. It's like I am using a material as a proof for my answers but their unbelief makes it not work out.

There really isn't much of a issue I guess.

There are a three different kinds of people
Those who see
Those who see when are shown
Those who do not see

I give up on someone over the first try.

I think it's more like

Those who will believe in something without concrete evidence
Those who will only believe in something with concrete evidence
Those who will believe whatever they want regardless of what evidence actually exists.

God-of-the-gap theists fall into the first category. Atheists fall into the second. Those who believe in the literal translation of their holy book despite ample physical and scientific evidence to the contrary, as well as contradicting elements even within said holy book, belong in the third.

I don't bother to give the last set of people a try at all, because I personally think they are beyond the reach of reason.

 

[Elioenai26]

You are making the assumption that theism is a desirable goal so your question is rather akin to asking a football player what is the obstacle that keeps you from playing Pétanque.

First of all that someone must have an interest or reason to play Pétanque before any obstacles to that goal are apparent.

Ok. Let me rephrase it for you...

Why are you not a Christian?

Do you understand what I am asking?

 

[Elioenai26]

I think you're approaching this from the wrong direction.

The question states that there's something - an obstacle - blocking me from believing in God. It suggests that my default state is to believe in absolutely everything in which I could possibly believe, until I find a specific reason - obstacle - not to believe in each particular thing.

It's that old burden of proof chestnut again. Which ironically, is the biggest obstacle that keeps me from theism

Ok, let me clarify...

Why are you not a Christian?

Is that better?

 

[Elioenai26]

The inability of theists to substantiate their claims.

Would you surrender your life to Christ and believe on Him for the remission of your sins if a theist was able to substantiate their claims?

 

[Sectio Aureo]

Ok. Let me rephrase it for you...

Why are you not a Christian?

Ask yourself why you are not a follower of Zeus. That will be your answer.

 

[brightlights]

1.) The possibility that God condemns people who don't even know Him
2.) Eternal punishment for non-eternal sins
3.) Expects us to choose Him or else we suffer hell, all this despite our insufficient knowledge etc.

Happily for you, orthodox Christianity teaches none of these things!

 

[Elioenai26]

Ask yourself why you are not a follower of Zeus. That will be your answer.

It will?

I am confused...

Zeus was a mythological Greek god in the pantheon of Greek mythology.

Are you saying you are not a follower of Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ was a mythological Greek god?

 

[Elioenai26]

Happily for you, orthodox Christianity teaches none of these things!

+1

 

[KCfromNC]

It will?

I am confused...

Zeus was a mythological Greek god in the pantheon of Greek mythology.

Are you saying you are not a follower of Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ was a mythological Greek god?

Remove the word Greek.

 

[Sectio Aureo]

It will?

I am confused...

Zeus was a mythological Greek god in the pantheon of Greek mythology.

I know who Zeus is, Im asking why are you atheistic towards him?

 

[Elioenai26]

Remove the word Greek.

Oh, so it is your position that Jesus Christ was a mythological god?

And what are you basing this quite erroneous proposition on?

 

[Elioenai26]

I know who Zeus is, Im asking why are you atheistic towards him?

I am atheistic towards Zeus because Zeus never walked on this earth among men for some thirty years, or teach about God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Nor did he heal the hurting, restore sight to the blind, cause the lame to walk, or teach that men should love their enemies and pray for them that mistreated them. He also did not die for my sins because of his overwhelming love for me. He was not buried, and neither did he rise again bodily from the grave on the third day. He did not ascend unto the Father in heaven and he does not live in me at the present moment. Zeus did none of these things. Christ did. It is Christ that gives me the wisdom and understanding and patience to reach out to people in love and it was Christ who changed my cold, selfish, hard heart. Zeus, well, Zeus is Zeus, but there is simply no one like my God!

 

[madaz]

Oh, so it is your position that Jesus Christ was a mythological god?

Absolutely!

There is no true definition of the word "myth" as if there is one and only one way the word can be used. There are several definitions and ways the word can be used. Context and the intent of the person using the word must be taken into account as well. This should be common knowledge.

 

[Elioenai26]

Absolutely!

And why do you believe that?

 

[Sectio Aureo]

I am atheistic towards Zeus because Zeus never walked on this earth among men for some thirty years, or teach about God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Nor did he heal the hurting, restore sight to the blind, cause the lame to walk, or teach that men should love their enemies and pray for them that mistreated them. He also did not die for my sins because of his overwhelming love for me. He was not buried, and neither did he rise again bodily from the grave on the third day. He did not ascend unto the Father in heaven and he does not live in me at the present moment. Zeus did none of these things. Christ did. It is Christ that gives me the wisdom and understanding and patience to reach out to people in love and it was Christ who changed my cold, selfish, hard heart. Zeus, well, Zeus is Zeus, but there is simply no one like my God!

To put it more succinctly you are atheistic towards Zeus because he didn't have a reputation for being a very compassionate god?