Why should one care if ''God'' exists?

[Deidre32]

The doctrine about hell? I'm not sure what context you mean. But I think there is some confusion about what hell is, even among Christians. Hell is sort of a generic term, but more accurately in scripture, it is referred to as Hades, or Sheol. But even these are temporary because even this is thrown into the lake of fire at the end, which is part of the fiery part comes from. Here's a site that talks extensively about it. It might be worth a look: Hades - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Online

Are there any particular rules you're particularly concerned about?

When I was a Christian, I didn't believe hell to be a fiery place of torment. I considered it rather a place void of God.

And even as an atheist, I ponder the idea still and think, should hell exist, that would most likely be it. A place absent of Hope.

Hope equalling a god.

I have lots of ideas. lol

 

[Aldebaran]

When I was a Christian, I didn't believe hell to be a fiery place of torment. I considered it rather a place void of God.

And even as an atheist, I ponder the idea still and think, should hell exist, that would most likely be it. A place absent of Hope.

Hope equalling a god.

I have lots of ideas. lol

It sounds like you've got some very insightful ones at that!

I've come to think of it that way too, about it being a place away from the presence of God--separated from Him. A more familiar picture of it might be out in space away from earth. On earth (physically speaking) we have what we need for life: air, atmospheric pressure, food and water, etc. But in space, there is none of that. The further away from earth and sun you get, the further away you are from what you need for life and the elements you were made from. Relevant, since hell or Hades is described as a place of "outer darkness". The bible also describes having Christ as having life. If we don't have Him, we have basically what we'd have out in space; no life.

 

[Deidre32]

It sounds like you've got some very insightful ones at that!

I've come to think of it that way too, about it being a place away from the presence of God--separated from Him. A more familiar picture of it might be out in space away from earth. On earth (physically speaking) we have what we need for life: air, atmospheric pressure, food and water, etc. But in space, there is none of that. The further away from earth and sun you get, the further away you are from what you need for life and the elements you were made from. Relevant, since hell or Hades is described as a place of "outer darkness". The bible also describes having Christ as having life. If we don't have Him, we have basically what we'd have out in space; no life.

Lol yes that makes a lot of sense.

You know, even though I'm an atheist, it doesn't mean I don't ponder these things, still. It's healthy to stay open minded.

I just don't believe any of us can ever really know with certainty. And I spent a long time believing that Christianity is the one path, with certainty. You know?

 

[Aldebaran]

Lol yes that makes a lot of sense.

You know, even though I'm an atheist, it doesn't mean I don't ponder these things, still. It's healthy to stay open minded.

I just don't believe any of us can ever really know with certainty. And I spent a long time believing that Christianity is the one path, with certainty. You know?

I know. And you were shaken from that certainty at one point. But in this physical life, I'm not sure we can ever be "certain" about many things, even physical things we can see and touch. God used to speak directly to His prophets back in the O.T., and I believe it's been said that the reward they have in Heaven isn't as great as what we can have because they didn't have to rely on faith like we do. Having faith and believing without being certain is something God recognizes and rewards us for.

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

I know. And you were shaken from that certainty at one point. But in this physical life, I'm not sure we can ever be "certain" about many things, even physical things we can see and touch. God used to speak directly to His prophets back in the O.T., and I believe it's been said that the reward they have in Heaven isn't as great as what we can have because they didn't have to rely on faith like we do. Having faith and believing without being certain is something God recognizes and rewards us for.

Is faith something you create of yourself?

 

[PsychoSarah]

Is faith something you create of yourself?

Probably.

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

Probably.

This is what I found:

Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

[PsychoSarah]

This is what I found:

Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Well don't you think it would be pretty crappy of god to sentence people to hell for not having something it has to personally give them?

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

Well don't you think it would be pretty crappy of god to sentence people to hell for not having something it has to personally give them?

Where is that stated?

According to the Lord in Revelation, all are rewarded or chastised because of their actions, not beliefs or faith. Rev 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."

 

[juvenissun]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

Why is believing in a god ...necessary to living a good and productive life? (It's not in my opinion, but I'm interested in learning from Christians here, why they feel otherwise)

Thanks!

To recognize God is for the sake of your benefit. That is all the meaning of the God.

For example, when you have questions, God will either give you the answer directly, or give you a very useful hint to the correct answer.

Of course, if you do not recognize Him, then the answer will not exist either. Or if you doubt Him, then the you may not accept the correct answer according to YOUR judgement. Who's loss? Yours, ONLY.

That is a simple reason that we should be care of God.

 

[juvenissun]

Well don't you think it would be pretty crappy of god to sentence people to hell for not having something it has to personally give them?

Misunderstanding.

If one rejected God, then God says: you can go to a place where you will not see Me.

That is all it is. Very reasonable.

 

[bhsmte]

All guess work, based on personal motivations and what you can live with.

Take your pick and do the best you can.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

I'm an atheist but also a former Christian. Instead of asking Christians to show evidence of god's existence (which there is no objective proof; the Bible isn't proof of anything) why not tell me and other atheists, why is believing relevant? Why should anyone care if a god exists?

If a god exists, why does he/it need my buy in?

Why is believing in a god ...necessary to living a good and productive life? (It's not in my opinion, but I'm interested in learning from Christians here, why they feel otherwise)

Thanks!

God don't need your buy in woman.

Believing in God ain't necessary for living a good and productive life either because what is good and productive is determined by you right?

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

God don't need your buy in woman.

Believing in God ain't necessary for living a good and productive life either because what is good and productive is determined by you right?

No, believing in God is not necessary to a good and productive life. Doing good and being productive is necessary.

You can believe in God all you want and still be a jackwagon.
Alternately a person could avoid thoughts of God all together and simply be of constant assistance to orphans and widows.

Who's "religion" then is acceptable to The Lord?

 

[PsychoSarah]

Misunderstanding.

If one rejected God, then God says: you can go to a place where you will not see Me.

That is all it is. Very reasonable.

Lack of belief is not rejection, I cannot reject something I don't perceive as real.

 

[PsychoSarah]

No, believing in God is not necessary to a good and productive life. Doing good and being productive is necessary.

You can believe in God all you want and still be a jackwagon.
Alternately a person could avoid thoughts of God all together and simply be of constant assistance to orphans and widows.

Who's "religion" then is acceptable to The Lord?

 

[PsychoSarah]

God don't need your buy in woman.

Believing in God ain't necessary for living a good and productive life either because what is good and productive is determined by you right?

To be blunt, if what god perceives as a productive life for us is a nonstop worship of it, then I don't think it was the devil who had the sin of pride.

 

[znr]

The number of people who come here and start threads like this is frustrating. They're convinced God doesn't exist, but they want to debate about it anyway. They INSIST with certainty that God doesn't exist, but spend hours here asking believers WHY they think God exists.

You're free to bang your head against the wall, have at it.

You are free to engage in that particular endeavor. We are gifted with free will after all. As a matter of choice, however, I'd strongly advise against it.

 

[PsychoSarah]

You are free to engage in that particular endeavor. We are gifted with free will after all. As a matter of choice, however, I'd strongly advise against it.

My free will desire is to be a believer, but I am not.

 

[znr]

That's very obvious from reading your posts, your tone, and looking past yiur words sometimes. At some point you'll get what your free will wants.

My free will desire is to be a believer, but I am not.