God wants there to be Atheists

[HonestJoe]

I could not be an Atheist because I've had too many coincidences and experiences where everything else failed, but prayer filled my heart with peace, joy, hope, and consoling visions, but I sympathize with Atheists.

But all those things can be explained by the Magic Space Pixies.

If God left a clear message in the sky every now and then or spoke clear messages to people, how many Atheists would there be? Would you still be one?

Unexplained messages in the sky or individual perceptions of messages directly in our minds aren’t evidence of God, just evidence of something (or some things) existing that are capable of creating those experiences. I’m not atheist because of a lack of experiences that could be attributed to a god, I’m atheist because I’ve not (yet) been convinced any of them are definitely caused by a specified god.

God doesn't do that and obviously He knows that the result is that there will be disbelief. God wants it that way, therefore it must be a good thing (in His opinion.)

Unless God isn’t “good” and gets a kick from how conflicting beliefs really mess us up.

 

[Robert Vincelette]

Have you ever been in traffic where everybody around you is speeding and tailgating? They see a police car and all of a sudden they decelerate down to the speed limit and the spaces between vehicles opens up. Unfit mothers with their children with them in their cars put out their cigarettes, they stop shaking their fists and stop gesticulating the digitus imputicus and smile with boundless civility, why, because they know that someone is watching them and they know of consequences of their behavior. They become something very different from who and what they are. If we knew that God existed and was watching us and we knew what would happen to us according to how we choose to live we would never be our true selves: we would refuse to produce and sell things like tobacco and junk food, we would never enrich ourselves solely by making someone else poor, we would never do what we know is wrong or make laws giving ourselves permission to do so because we would know it did not pay and we would no longer have free will.
Perhaps that is why God prefers us to be agnostic and will not make so unjust as to punish those who only accept as true what they can know.

 

[Blastcat]

I could not be an Atheist because I've had too many coincidences

What's the cut off point?
12?

 

[paarsurrey]

I could not be an Atheist because I've had too many coincidences and experiences where everything else failed, but prayer filled my heart with peace, joy, hope, and consoling visions, but I sympathize with Atheists.

If God left a clear message in the sky every now and then or spoke clear messages to people, how many Atheists would there be? Would you still be one?

God doesn't do that and obviously He knows that the result is that there will be disbelief. God wants it that way, therefore it must be a good thing (in His opinion.)

I agree with one here.
God wants the believers should be wise enough to see Him behind everything.
This is one of peculiarity of believers mentioned in Quran.
Regards

 

[Stevicus]

...But I truly feel for you and other agnostic/atheists. The sad fact is God hides himself and leaves any rational thinker with the thought that maybe he isn't there or doesn't care, and I find that very sad

Yeah, I see your point, although it can also be said that atheists might find a way to be happier, since they can accept the universe "as is." There's no need to fear a fiery afterlife (which concurrently eliminates fear of death), nor is there anyone to blame or get angry at when "stuff happens." If I actually believed that there was an invisible ghost in the sky controlling everything, then I would be very angry at that ghost. But by not believing in that ghost, one can find a sense of inner peace, since it's easier to accept the mechanisms of the universe as they are - without a controller.

 

[ratiocinator]

God wants the believers should be wise enough to see Him behind everything.

Why is it wise to "see" something for which there is no evidence and no reasoned argument?

 

[Father Heathen]

How many people have a conscience?

That little small voice? It's real. Everyone has heard it. That's God's voice - He has made Himself known to everyone....

How many people listen to their conscience, that's quite another story.

So when my conscience compels me to reject your religion as being repugnant......?

 

[Fool]

I could not be an Atheist because I've had too many coincidences and experiences where everything else failed, but prayer filled my heart with peace, joy, hope, and consoling visions, but I sympathize with Atheists.

If God left a clear message in the sky every now and then or spoke clear messages to people, how many Atheists would there be? Would you still be one?

God doesn't do that and obviously He knows that the result is that there will be disbelief. God wants it that way, therefore it must be a good thing (in His opinion.)

God loves a doubting thomas too. Ask!! Seek!! Knock!!! don't be a suck up!!!

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Well, God really cares but He is not giving a free pass to Heaven/paradise. God wants people to earn a place in His kingdom by proving they can overcome hardship. Heaven is not for everyone, only those who are worthy.

So you think that anyone who ends up in Heaven earned their place through their own works?

I'll let you and the Protestants here argue over that idea. When you've decided amongst yourself whether you're right or they're right, let me know.

 

[jonathan180iq]

Are the members on RF who claim to be the next coming of Jesus also hearing god in their head?

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

There was a guy once. His initials were OMG... He was a lot of fun.
I wish I remembered his name.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

So you think that anyone who ends up in Heaven earned their place through their own works?

Well, according to Jesus, you get what you pay for. If you're just kinda nice some of the time but otherwise "meh", then you get the Bronze package. You need to be a saint to get the Gold package.

 

[Spiderman]

Thank you but I don't need your sympathy, I'm fine and really enjoying life.

No one needs my sympathy. You are undoubtedly a happier person than me and I'm happy for you and glad you found what you are looking for in life.

What I meant by sympathizing with Atheists, is I understand where they're coming from. When an Atheist gives an explanation for why they don't believe in God, I totally get it and feel for them. I can't judge them but feel their beliefs, opinions, and feelings are justified.

It's just for me, without faith I become a much worse person, and I simply couldn't survive without it. I don't find joy in other activities, and nothing else seems to help, but prayer and faith does. I'll go with what works and makes me a better person.

Oh, you mean if the was EVIDENCE of god. Well then there'd be a lot less atheist, but even if she did exist, would I worship her? I doubt it, it sounds a bit like North Korea.


God's a bit of a plonker then, isn't she?

I've often felt that way.

 

[maremf]

I could not be an Atheist because I've had too many coincidences and experiences where everything else failed, but prayer filled my heart with peace, joy, hope, and consoling visions, but I sympathize with Atheists.

If God left a clear message in the sky every now and then or spoke clear messages to people, how many Atheists would there be? Would you still be one?

God doesn't do that and obviously He knows that the result is that there will be disbelief. God wants it that way, therefore it must be a good thing (in His opinion.)

I could not be an Atheist because I've had too many coincidences and experiences where everything else failed, but prayer filled my heart with peace, joy, hope, and consoling visions, but I sympathize with Atheists.

If God left a clear message in the sky every now and then or spoke clear messages to people, how many Atheists would there be? Would you still be one?

God doesn't do that and obviously He knows that the result is that there will be disbelief. God wants it that way, therefore it must be a good thing (in His opinion.)

God has done so much---showed us his handiwork in creation, talked to people now and in the past, became one of us and walked among us, gave us the Bible which tells us all about him, formed the Church to continue telling people what he has done. I think that whatever he did people would say that it wasn't God and so refuse to believe. If he wrote in the sky then the story would go that it was just a new stunt done by airplanes.

 

[maremf]

Well, according to Jesus, you get what you pay for. If you're just kinda nice some of the time but otherwise "meh", then you get the Bronze package. You need to be a saint to get the Gold package.

True---that's why Jesus paid the price.

 

[Cobol]

but I sympathize with Atheists.

Are you saying you understand why people are atheists, or you pity them?

I don't sympathize with or pity believers.

 

[Spiderman]

Are you saying you understand why people are atheists, or you pity them?

I don't sympathize with or pity believers.

View attachment 16510

I don't pity a happy Atheist.

What I meant by sympathizing with Atheists, is I understand where they're coming from. When an Atheist gives an explanation for why they don't believe in God, I totally get it and feel for them. I can't judge them but feel their beliefs, opinions, and feelings are justified.

It's just for me, without faith I become a much worse person, and I simply couldn't survive without it. I don't find joy in other activities, and nothing else seems to help, but prayer , spiritual practices, and faith does. I'll go with what works and makes me a better person.

 

[HonestJoe]

God has done so much---showed us his handiwork in creation, talked to people now and in the past, became one of us and walked among us, gave us the Bible which tells us all about him, formed the Church to continue telling people what he has done.

What’s he done lately though? Where are all the miracle-working prophets and direct divine appearances today? And why has his church fractured in to countless contradictory and conflicting sects and faiths? Why is Judaism still a thing?

I think that whatever he did people would say that it wasn't God and so refuse to believe. If he wrote in the sky then the story would go that it was just a new stunt done by airplanes.

If the Biblical God existed as depicted, he could do something that would guarantee any doubter believed in him. If that God exists, he apparently doesn’t want us to prove his existence for some reason.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

God does not car if you believe or not. He does not want everyone to join HIm in His kingdom. Hec alls those people HE wants and gives them the faith needed to believe. If you do not believe then you simply have not made the cut. Nothing personal, just God's choice.

 

[tsujen]

"God does not care if you believe or not" - scriptures of all faiths would disagree.

But your condescension and self-righteousness is noted.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

So you think that anyone who ends up in Heaven earned their place through their own works?

I'll let you and the Protestants here argue over that idea. When you've decided amongst yourself whether you're right or they're right, let me know.

You do not "EArn yourp lace by works. YOU "earn" your place by believing in God and following His rules.No one cares if you believe or not. God will call those He wants.