If God actually spoke to you, would you try to obey?

[ChristineM]

yes, and you took 'nobody, but nobody' considerably out of context, which was clearly from the population of atheists and evangelicals I have spoken with.

no matter who it is I talk to, invariably the bottom line ends up being that...God doesn't exist, therefore He can't appear, so if He does, then I'm hallucinating because God doesn't exist. (from one side)

And "God exists but He quit appearing to people and the bible is all we have so if God came to talk to me personally about the bible, and He said something was wrong with the Book, then obviously I'm either hallucinating or it's an evil spirit or Satan because the Book said there would be no more revelation/prophets. "

The circular nature of the argument remains, however it is couched.

Agnostics? Well, in order to be one of those, one must actually admit the possibility that there MIGHT BE a God Who MIGHT be interested enough to say something.

That rather opens the possibility. But agnostics are not atheists.

How can 'nobody, but nobody' be taken out of context?

And atheists on here have said they would require evidence.

And you evidence for your claim 'god exists' or pehaps, more accurately you should say ' i believe ...'

Wrong, agnostic : a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.

 

[Windwalker]

I guess you you need to tell neuroscience in general that they have been measuring emotion all wrong.

No need to. They are measuring emotions, which people who don't know anything better, happen to define as "love".

Something of a contradiction there, "All of life is love. Love is the natural state of being when one is free from fear.". Fear exists in us all, so you are saying love can't exist.

It does exist in us, but need not exist in us. It's not our natural state. Love is.

Gods are mythological.

So what? I don't believe in "gods".

No i asked you so show me a super lover. And to be so ignorant as to suggest i imagined anything.

That term came from you. I didn't make it up. You did. So, what were you imagining, dare I ask? Jesus in leather chaps with a whip?

Love is what? You already implied it cannot exist

Nonsense. I implied no such thing. Your logic went off the rails here. That's all.

My idea of god s the same as my idea of harry potter.

Yes, early toddler level, the "magic as reality" level. Not adult level.

And again with the ignorance, you know zero about my education and therefore use the childish technique of guessing just to massage your own ego.

No ignorance here. You explicitly stated that God is a "bronze age idea".

You use nursery school mentality to accuse me of grade school mentality.

Hahaha!!! Ok.

 

[Segev Moran]

So, what if God actually cared enough about you to get off his rich, selfish, narcissistic, lazy *** and actually talk to you?

Than existence as we know it will be over and humans will not remain humans

What if he wasn’t asking you to do anything like commit violence, condemn, judge, or kill Idolaters and what not?

It doesn't.

What if he asked you “Worship me, visit this hospital, visit this nursing home, give this person food, give this person money, donate to this charity, forgive this enemy, be humble, be kind, don’t look at porn, don’t fornicate, don’t commit adultery, don’t be angry, don’t covet, don’t be jealous, don’t be lazy, and don’t over eat”.

It does.

Would you listen to and do your best to obey such a God? I know I would greet such a God with open arms and do everything possible to obey him.

So why don't you?
You know what is the right thing to do.
But it's too hard... or else we would all have done it

But unfortunately, we have a God who lives with the greatest wealth imaginable while so many are starving.

Lol... sounds like you think god lives in a castle in the skies ????

He has billions of people worshipping him

Not true.. they worship an idea of god.
God doesn't require worship especially of the wrong kind.

while so many are suffering loneliness and rejection.

By whom?

He doesn’t have the basic charity to just give simple instructions or the grace of understanding while so many are confused.

It did, in a most detailed way. most people simply refuse to accept it

I had an evangelical Christian recently tell me that God would give me everything I asked for that is according to his will.

Nice one what is it that he thinks god is willing?

So, I asked God, “What is your will that I might ask for it”.

There is an answer... really is. its a very logical one, btw.

No answer, so I said “God’s will be done in and through me”.

You already have the answer... yet you won't accept it.

I’m sure it’s God’s will I’m doing then.

How are you sure?

I asked God for understanding and no more confusion.

Just start reading

Is it his will that I have no confusion?

Probably, but if you have confusion, its its will that currently you'll have until you do not have one

I guess I’m just as confused as God wants me to be

I would guess the same

 

[dianaiad]

How can 'nobody, but nobody' be taken out of context?

By taking it out of context.

The quote was: In all my conversations with atheists (and certain evangelicals, FWIW), I have found that nobody, and I mean nobody, if God Himself came down and told someone to do something that differed from an already set upon POV, that the answer is 'no.'

Please note that the context of 'nobody, but nobody' relates to the specific population I was referring to: those conversations I have had with atheists. It automatically precludes that population of atheists I have not conversed with.

THAT is taking it out of context.

And atheists on here have said they would require evidence.

Yes. I get that a lot, too. However, they then (at least. all of those with whom I have discussed the matter) insist that any evidence they receive as to the possibility that god exists....such as having Him show up and talk to them....would be discounted as hallucination or trickery. "More gravy than of grave' about it.

I am, frankly, reminded rather forcefully of 'young earth creationists" who discount all evidence, and any possible appearance of evidence, that the earth is older than 7000 years.

And you evidence for your claim 'god exists' or pehaps, more accurately you should say ' i believe ...'

Of course. I don't know. I do believe. I can't prove God exists. I accept evidence for His existence that has very little to do with 'science' or objective evidence. Did you have a point with this comment? I'm not attempting to prove that He exists.

Wrong, agnostic : a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.

.....and that makes me wrong to say that agnostics are not atheists, how, precisely?

BTW, I've always thought that the definition you are using for 'agnostic' is probably more appropriate to 'ignostic.'

..........and yes. That's a thing.

 

[Bob the Unbeliever]

That rather opens the possibility. But agnostics are not atheists.

Absolutely, 100% false.

I happened to be an atheist. I ALSO happen to be an agnostic.

These terms address two very different questions.

The former? Addresses the question: "is god real" with "show us proof"

The latter? Addresses the question "Can anyone know about gods?" "unlikely-- you have to define what you mean, first-- and nobody really has"

You have your definitions all mixed up-- no doubt from some theist who has never met an actual atheist.

 

[ChristineM]

No need to. They are measuring emotions, which people who don't know anything better, happen to define as "love".

Yes, emotions, not magic

It does exist in us, but need not exist in us. It's not our natural state. Love is.

So what? . I don't believe in "gods".

Plural or Singular? Symantec's does not give you a get out of jail free card

That term came from you. I didn't make it up. You did. So, what were you imagining, dare I ask? Jesus in leather chaps with a

Yes i did, with my context, not your made up explanation to massage your ego

Nonsense. I implied no such thing. Your logic went off the rails here. That's all.

Yes you did, or perhaps you have difficult understanding the human condition.

Yes, early toddler level, the "magic as reality" level. Not adult level.

Sounds like you have yourself sussed here, congrats, keep working on it.

No ignorance here. You explicitly stated that God is a "bronze age idea".

The abrahamic god is a bronze age idea. The idea of other gods came and went over a few thousand years,

Hahaha!!! Ok.

Glad you can laugh at yourself

 

[ChristineM]

By taking it out of context.

The quote was: In all my conversations with atheists (and certain evangelicals, FWIW), I have found that nobody, and I mean nobody, if God Himself came down and told someone to do something that differed from an already set upon POV, that the answer is 'no.'

Please note that the context of 'nobody, but nobody' relates to the specific population I was referring to: those conversations I have had with atheists. It automatically precludes that population of atheists I have not conversed with.

THAT is taking it out of context.



Yes. I get that a lot, too. However, they then (at least. all of those with whom I have discussed the matter) insist that any evidence they receive as to the possibility that god exists....such as having Him show up and talk to them....would be discounted as hallucination or trickery. "More gravy than of grave' about it.

I am, frankly, reminded rather forcefully of 'young earth creationists" who discount all evidence, and any possible appearance of evidence, that the earth is older than 7000 years.





Of course. I don't know. I do believe. I can't prove God exists. I accept evidence for His existence that has very little to do with 'science' or objective evidence. Did you have a point with this comment? I'm not attempting to prove that He exists.



.....and that makes me wrong to say that agnostics are not atheists, how, precisely?

BTW, I've always thought that the definition you are using for 'agnostic' is probably more appropriate to 'ignostic.'

..........and yes. That's a thing.

Perhaps your post was badly worded, ever considered that aspect?

Yes you believe despite the lack of evidence, that is faith. I an the other hand consider the lack of evidence (as well as the contrary evidence) to be very telling.

As for the agnostic definition i quoted. You negative view of the standard, accepted, dictionary definition does explain much. Definitions are there to aid understanding. Not to change to suit sensibilities.

 

[stvdv]

24 sep 2018 stvdv

So, I asked God, “What is your will that I might ask for it”. No answer, so I said “God’s will be done in and through me”.

Very good question: "if-god-actually-spoke-to-you-would-you-try-to-obey?"

The above assumes that God exists AND that it has been determined already that it is God speaking. At least the most difficult obstacles have been removed

Sometimes God is testing humans whether they follow blind or use God-given brain/intuition etc.
So if my conscience says "Yes this feels right" then I will go ahead
And do what my conscience tells me to do

Edit: I thought of 2 scenario's
a) I want to fully surrender and trust God completely. Then I can do whatever He tells, no need to think
b) I want to fully surrender and trust God completely. God being my conscience, then I follow that
If God is all good, then both scenario's will work out fine I believe.
But ISIS think the same, though I doubt they hear God's voice. They just read Koran verses they like and interpret it their way.

@PopeADope. So again, this is a very interesting thread. Probably we can work on it till we "die"

 

[Muffled]

I believe Mormons said that to me and when I told them what He said they denied He said it.

 

[Muffled]

It would require a process of elimination.

I'm not hearing voices.

God isn't an advanced alien.

I believe that isn't as easy as it sounds.

 

[Muffled]

I believe that hearing genuine voices, happens to people. But it would take a lot -- and I mean a lot -- to convince me that it was from Jehovah!

I would flatly reject any voice I would hear.

God doesn't work that way....but the Devil does.

I believe that is a flat-out denial of the essence of Christianity.

 

[Nakosis]

So, what if God actually cared enough about you to get off his rich, selfish, narcissistic, lazy *** and actually talk to you? What if he wasn’t asking you to do anything like commit violence, condemn, judge, or kill Idolaters and what not?

God told me not to worry about it. Enjoy life, come home when you are ready.

I supposed I listened and stopped worrying..

 

[stvdv]

Love exists, tried it before, have you? I know the physical and emotional sensations
As yet no god has brought me to orgasm or even tried. You have one in mind then please offer evidence of said super lover. Until then, failed sarcasm is just as much a failure as attempts to prove a god exists.

It's all about respect. You are an atheist, of course God respects that and won't give you an orgasm
You have a husband for that. Cheating on your husband with God ... Don't even contemplate that
[will cost you 1 eye as per the Bible; but being an atheist, no worries for you there]

 

[stvdv]

I believe that hearing genuine voices, happens to people. But it would take a lot -- and I mean a lot -- to convince me that it was from Jehovah!
I would flatly reject any voice I would hear.
God doesn't work that way....but the Devil does.

God doesn't work that way for you. But only God knows how God works; nobody can tell God how "God should/would/could work" IMHO
Not for me to declare "God does not work that way". Feels like "Sitting on God's throne to me"

 

[stvdv]

I believe Mormons said that to me and when I told them what He said they denied He said it.

If God tells me something I general keep it confidential. Don't tell others. I tell God, if You want them to know, you better tell them Yourself. You know the best timing etc.

 

[LuisDantas]

The situation described in the OP is very hard to imagine. I have little notion of what I would do, except perhaps wonder whether I was struck by schyzophrenia.

 

[stvdv]

What if he asked you “Worship me, visit this hospital, visit this nursing home, give this person food, give this person money, donate to this charity, forgive this enemy, be humble, be kind, don’t look at porn, don’t fornicate, don’t commit adultery, don’t be angry, don’t covet, don’t be jealous, don’t be lazy, and don’t over eat”.
Would you listen to and do your best to obey such a God? I know I would greet such a God with open arms and do everything possible to obey him.

YES, of course I would do my best to obey such a God.

In all my conversations with atheists (and certain evangelicals, FWIW), I have found that nobody, and I mean nobody, if God Himself came down and told someone to do something that differed from an already set upon POV, that the answer is 'no.'

Okay, nice I can be the first one. As in above original post of @PopeADope I would definitely do my best to obey such a God.

And thank you @PopeADope for making it easy saying "I would try" ... "I would do my best".
I can not promise "I would DO". But as worded in OP it's an easy YES for me

 

[sojourner]

I believe that hearing genuine voices, happens to people. But it would take a lot -- and I mean a lot -- to convince me that it was from Jehovah!

I would flatly reject any voice I would hear.

God doesn't work that way....but the Devil does.

I disagree. I think God certainly does speak to us. But I think God uses a variety of voices, each appropriate to the context.

 

[sojourner]

So, all of the thousands of denominations of Christianity read the same book and come up with opposite beliefs or morals, indicating that the book is not trustworthy, nor is God, because they all claim that the Holy Spirit is guiding them.

That book lends itself to a myriad valid interpretations, any of which is “right.” So, for what it is, the book is trustworthy. Spirit can guide us in any number of directions. It’s we — not the book or God — who remain untrustworthy in our insistence that the book and God be precisely what we want them to be.

 

[Quintessence]

Well, the gods certainly communicate with me, but never have I encountered a scenario like the one described in the opening post. Therefore, I would ignore it because whatever deity was communicating here is definitely not on the list of gods I am devoted to.