Why I'm Anti-Theistic

[bhsmte]

There is one reality. That which exists independently of my personal feelings or opinions.

How do you go about determining what reality is?

What does this reality look like?

 

[bhsmte]

Sure.

Do you think I could consciously choose to truly believe in God right now, even though it is my position he likely does not exist?

 

[anonymous person]

How do you go about determining what reality is?

Experimentation, observation, utilization of my cognitive faculties asking questions, reading, listening etc. etc.

 

[anonymous person]

Do you think I could consciously choose to truly believe in God right now, even though it is my position he likely does not exist?

Sure.

 

[bhsmte]

Experimentation, observation, utilization of my cognitive faculties asking questions, reading, listening etc. etc.

Can you give me some examples of what you have deemed to be reality and how you concluded this?

 

[bhsmte]

Sure.

How would I go about doing that and have it be a genuine belief?

 

[anonymous person]

Can you give me some examples of what you have deemed to be reality and how you concluded this?

Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man cometh unto the Father but through Him.

How did I arrive at this conclusion? It was revealed to me by God.

 

[anonymous person]

How would I go about doing that and have it be a genuine belief?

Look into the life of Jesus Christ in the gospels. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

 

[bhsmte]

Look into the life of Jesus Christ in the gospels. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

I have examined the same and intensely. In my case, the faith was lost by examining the gospels.

So, how do I go about believing in a God by conscious choice, if I have thoroughly examined and the same and don't believe the God exists?

 

[bhsmte]

Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man cometh unto the Father but through Him.

How did I arrive at this conclusion? It was revealed to me by God.

I can't reach that same conclusion, you can, we disagree.

 

[anonymous person]

I have examined the same and intensely. In my case, the faith was lost by examining the gospels.

So, how do I go about believing in a God by conscious choice, if I have thoroughly examined and the same and don't believe the God exists?

How was your faith lost by examining the gospels?

 

[bhsmte]

How was your faith lost by examining the gospels?

Not going to get into this again, because I have already addressed it in detail.

Bottom line, upon examination, I concluded the gospels were not credible and were likely man made to forward a certain theology.

 

[Davian]

Oh, I think I understand your question now. God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus Christ. He will justly punish all wickedness - either by destroying sinners or by crediting Christ's work on the cross to those sinners who have faith in Jesus.

Those who are "in Christ" are forgiven in that their sins are not counted against them, but against Jesus. Since Jesus was condemned for his people no condemnation remains for them. They are, as Paul says, "dead to sin" - meaning that they have already suffered God's wrath in Christ.

Does your theology hold individuals responsible for things outside of their control?

 

[Davian]

You remind me of a parrot. You keep saying "belief is not a conscious choice".

Prove it.

Try it yourself. Decide to believe that gods are nothing more than characters in books for the next three days. Then change back, if you can.

 

[Tree of Life]

Does your theology hold individuals responsible for things outside of their control?

I would hesitate to answer this generally. Did you have a specific situation in mind?

 

[Davian]

I would hesitate to answer this generally. Did you have a specific situation in mind?

Belief.

Does your theology hold individuals responsible for things outside of their control, such as belief?

 

[Davian]

Before they die, every person will be given enough light to make "honest unbelief" as you call it, impossible.

Is this band-aid supposed to fix your theology?

"Only dishonest unbelievers go to hell."

Would not a "dishonest unbeliever" actually believe? Just how convoluted does this religious stuff get?

 

[Davian]

LOL

Do you have any reasons why I should choose to believe Thor exists?

Why would you need a reason? Can you not consciously decide to believe?

Or is belief beyond your conscious control?

 

[Davian]

...

How do I know? I read His correspondence to me.

How circular. It's only "His correspondence" when you believe it is "His correspondence".

 

[Davian]

What I read corresponds to reality.

Or, your perception of reality.

Experimentation, observation, utilization of my cognitive faculties asking questions, reading, listening etc. etc.

Cool. What experiment might we conduct regarding the existence of gods? Have you anything that might show that they are more than characters in books? Something testable, falsifiable?