Why?

[Trapped In a Box]

If there are any Christians on this board that could tell me why I should believe in God, please do so.

Trapped

 

[kwag_myers]

Lots of reasons. Most importantly, only God can give your life real importance and purpose. He has a plan for each life, but that's between you and Him. If you want something to live for, you have to be willing to seek it out, study His Word and spend some quiet time listening for His voice.

 

[Trapped In a Box]

Lots of reasons. Most importantly, only God can give your life real importance and purpose. He has a plan for each life, but that's between you and Him. If you want something to live for, you have to be willing to seek it out, study His Word and spend some quiet time listening for His voice.

1) If I didn't have anything to live for currently, why would I have gotten up this morning?

2) Why do Buddhists seem to be so much more calm, reasonable and kind than Chrisitans? (And with more purpose?)

3) How do I know you aren't lying, or are not under a misconception?

4) I have spent my whole life reading the Bible and trying to "listen for His voice." He's never spoken. So I left "Him."

Trapped

 

[kwag_myers]

2) Why do Buddhists seem to be so much more calm, reasonable and kind than Chrisitans? (And with more purpose?)

Most eastern religions deal with the body and soul. Naturally, this would give the appearance of a more spiritual life. Christianity gives no provision for the body and is contrary to the nature of the soul. That's why we seem to be struggling with our faith. We are constantly putting to death our soulish nature so that we can receive God's nature. Remember, God judges the heart, not what can be seen. Jesus said that those who's conduct is to impress others have received their reward.

3) How do I know you aren't lying, or are not under a misconception?

You don't. Only the Holy Spirit can teach you what is truth.

4) I have spent my whole life reading the Bible and trying to "listen for His voice." He's never spoken. So I left "Him."

No you haven't. You're still seeking Him. Why else would you have posted this? I've yet to hear of anyone who has asked God to make Himself real to them and He has not answered that prayer.

 

[BJGrolle]

I don't know anything about Buddhism, but please try not to let the actions and words of some so-called Christians affect your decision to seek (or not) a belief in God.

Some of the fighting and bickering that goes on in the name of Christianity is truly shameful - and you have to remember that such things are failings of the flesh, NOT failings of God or Jesus.

We're supposed to rise above such trivial disagreements and remember the bigger purpose: a belief in God and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This requires a leap of faith which may seem huge at times.

What kind of manifestation of God were you expecting that you feel never came?

 

[Orthodox Christian]

If there are any Christians on this board that could tell me why I should believe in God, please do so.

Trapped

I am a Christian, a very devout one at that. Since you have posted this as a challenge, rather than a serious inquiry, I shall respond in kind.

The challenge to each of us is to investigate truth-or more appropriately, claims of truth. It is incumbent upon you and you alone to investigate Christianity- or not to. The problem with asking people here to 'prove' Christianity is multi-faceted:
1. This site is rife with sectarianism. You will get conflicting answers
2. You will get conflicting answers here also because there are people here willing to speak at length about things that have no clue about

You will, no doubt, be able to defeat many of the answers given here. This will bring you no closer to settling the issue for yourself. You might claim that it's setteled for you, but if it was, you wouldn't be here posing questions, as if to reinforce your currently held beliefs.

So, in this spirit of candor, pleas allow me to be blunt and short:
Don't use the ineptitude of the self-appointed apologists here to dismiss Christianity or to reinforce your current beliefs. Have the integrity to either leave it aone, or get real answers from good sources. I can recommend books and articles on basic Christianity from Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox authors, if you would like.

Elsewise, feel free to play games with the rabble.

I wih you well
James

 

[Quath]

I have spent my whole life reading the Bible and trying to "listen for His voice." He's never spoken. So I left "Him."

Yeah. That was also the reason for my deconversion.

The big fear was hell. After all, if I were wrong and there was a God as described by my preacher, then I would spend all of eternity in hell. However, I could not make myself believe in something for which I had no proof. So I finally reconciled this by realizing that if God put me in hell because I could not find Him, then He is not a deity I would have wanted to know anyway.

If you want to believe in God, you will find a way. Personally, I think we all bias ourselves towards what we want to be true. I see no evidence for any god. However, people everywhere see evidence for Allah, God, Vishnu, Zeus and alien overlords.

Quath