re: What good reason is there to believe in God?

quote:

---

That we will never know

---

That is a huge cop out.

quote:

---

Exactly. What is the point of going through this tedious game of good vs evil if the goal is heaven?

If that isn’t the goal then what’s the point of Christianity? And if that isn’t the goal, then Big Religion’s God is a jokester that doesn’t deserve our love and admiration.

---

Big Religion's goal is the same as any other "Big" anything, like Big Tobacco or Big Pharma - make as much profit off the gullible as you possibly can.

quote:

---

Admittedly, I'm not super brushed up on David Koresh and the BD's but I'm pretty sure he had his followers convinced he was a prophet with gifts from God, not God himself.

---

There are many accounts through history who have suffered deaths just as painful as the death of Jesus as described in the Bible.

What makes his death any more different than that of any other person who suffered a horrific death?

quote:

---

That we will never know

---

See, it's never been tough for me to figure why bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. Theologically speaking, none are good before God and we all have our flaws but I can see why it would be frustrating seeing drug dealers, killers and generally bad people seem to find success.

According to Christian doctrine, Satan has significant influence in this world. Ultimately, his authority does not usurp God's, but he does have a ton of influence here on Earth. He knows he can't defeat God so he instead does what cowards do and that is to target those that the one he cannot defeat loves. I think sometimes, Satan uses the very same thing to tempt us that he tried to tempt Jesus with to blind us to our failings. He has no problem trading earthly treasures if it means you'll ignore God and do evil things.


As to the question of when God stops the merry go round permanently, that is an answer only he knows but if we trust that God is good, we know he has selected the perfect time. Satan is no different than any other predator convincing a child that their parents don't really love them. They'll lie and offer all sorts of misdirection to convince the child that the parent is really the problem. That's the trick he pulls. Satan tempts us and we give in to that temptation and then he turns around and tells us it's God's fault.

quote:

---

A textbook example of rationalization. Keep going. I want to hear more.

---

No, you really don't. You want to argue. This is clearly not a good faith discussion. This is snarky atheism masquerading as a conversation. With that being said, have a good day sir. I hope you find all you want in life.

quote:

---

What makes his death any more different than that of any other person who suffered a horrific death?

---

Probably the history of the entire Western world and the reason you are able to enjoy a mostly orderly and contented life.

quote:

---

quote:
So please explain to me what "New Atheism" is. I must have missed that memo.
You sound like these guys.

I'm sorry that you don't see the world as enchanted. Love ya!

---

Pictures don't help me much. I know the guy in the upper right is Christopher Hitchens. I have no idea who the other three are.

And I have never read anything written by Christopher Hitchens, or listened to anything he has ever said.

I'm my own man. I came to my beliefs completely on my own.

All I can tell you is that when I was 9 years old, I determined that what they were teaching me in Sunday school made no sense. I've made multiple attempts over the years to try to make it make sense, but it never does. So, around the age of 30, I stopped caring about it. I'm 64 now and never give it a 2nd thought. I don't need affirmation from celebrity atheists.

quote:

---

I wish you luck in finding whatever you are looking for in life.

---

I'm not looking for anything. I have found it.

Life is precious. I live it to the fullest.

quote:

---

It's not special. If Jesus died by crucifixion and stayed dead, he's not remarkable at all. That's the cornerstone of Christian doctrine, that Christ didn't stay dead.

---

Then why is it always stated that "Christ suffered for our sins"?

Based on the description in the Bible, he suffered. But his suffering wasn't any worse than anyone who was ever boiled or burned to death because they were determined to be a "witch". Or dismembered by a land mine and left to bleed out for multiple hours.

quote:

---

The Bible will have you believe the Earth is only 6,000 years old.

---

uh, no it doesnt. Not even close

The 6,000 year claim comes from a single Catholic priest counting the ages of people that were recorded in Biblical text. His biggest fault was using the a 24 hour day during the process of creation

A "day" didnt even exist until the 4th "day" of creation. Therefore, there can be no way to determine the age of the Earth, by using something that did not exist at the origin of Earth

quote:

---

Genesis 1: 14

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Footnote:
The Israelites used the sun and moon to decide when the months and years began. Many Israelite festivals and special meetings began at the time of the new moon or full moon.

---