What would it take for you to change your faith to another?

[Kilgore Trout]

So do you think it's the majority?

I have no idea. However, my personal view based on my experiences with humans, is that it is a substantial majority.

 

[viole]

Because it's our duty if we do not warn the sinner it will fall on us. Ezekiel 3:18
god commands us to warn people
Matthew 28:19,20 and Matthew 24:14

So, the people who could not possibly be warned (for instance a pre-columbian American) will suffer a disadvantage concerning their odds to resurrect?

Ciao

- viole

 

[anonymous9887]

So, the people who could not possibly be warned (for instance a pre-columbian American) will suffer a disadvantage concerning their odds to resurrect?

Ciao

- viole

Like I said if they did not know God, god will resurrect them and give them a second chance to know the truth. Knowing the in depth truth and turning away from it is the problem. If you studied and know about God's doctrine and his will , but the disobedience is only out of rebellion then you might not resurrect but god is judge he knows the hearts. But I would say most of them probably did not know the in depth truth so they do have a hope of resurrection.

 

[Saint_of_Me]

All people have their own faith. What would it take to convert you to another faith? Many people say we'll I need to see a miracle or see it in the bible, but I think even if people saw what they wanted they still wouldn't change it. So what does it really take? Opinions?

This is a great question!

As an atheist, I guess by "changing my faith" or belief, it might be more accurate to ask myself what it would take to change my "lack of faith." Or...what would it take to make me believe in god. Or even, give some consideration to the possibility of a god. And by this, I am speaking of a theist god. A personal one. Like the one that Christians and Muslims believe in. One that actually cares about us; keeps track of our thoughts and deeds. Because this is the sort of god--as opposed to an impersonal deist one--that I find absurd and silly to believe in. Equating it with nothing more than superstition.

It would take even one small piece of evidence. Not even irrefutable proof, per se. But just maybe a sign. I miracle that cannot be explained by natural and scientific explanations. (I am a scientist, BTW). Say....god erecting a big force field bubble around the city of New Orleans that deflects a tidal wave about to bury the city of New Orleans during a hurricane next month.

A booming voice in the sky we all can hear, a message to stop killing each other, and accompanied by a huge fiery cross would be good! LOL.

Even a burning bush sort of experience. Like I pray to god and ask him to answer by setting this ficus tree in front of me aflame, and he does!

Or maybe Jesus showing himself once. IN person. Not as some nebulous figure in somebody's morning pancake or coffee creamer like is claimed every now and then.

But none of this has ever happened. Ever. In all these centuries since the bible was written. Even though most Christians claim their sky god CAN intervene in our world and affairs--if he chooses. Yet he doesn't. And he lets evil run free and go unpunished, and allows good and devout people who worship him die. Every day. Thousand of children die every day from disease and starvation. Despite what most christians will admit, the vast majority of their prayers go unanswered. And most of the ones they claim ARE answered, well, we all know that it is just a psychological delusion. A placebo effect. That they are attributing Divine intervention when there is, in fact, none. I find this sort of sad for them.

To me if their god is omnipotent, than he is choosing for some reason NOT to help with the problem of evil. Thus, he is not good.

And if he cannot intervene on our behalf, or at least on the behalf of his most devout, than his is weak and impotent. So why waste time worshiping him. Or even talking to him? As he is like the useless, senile and stove-up old man sitting in a nursing home watching an episode of NCIS, a show which he of course cannot intervene in.

LOL.

 

[viole]

Like I said if they did not know God, god will resurrect them and give them a second chance to know the truth. Knowing the in depth truth and turning away from it is the problem. If you studied and know about God's doctrine and his will , but the disobedience is only out of rebellion then you might not resurrect but god is judge he knows the hearts. But I would say most of them probably did not know the in depth truth so they do have a hope of resurrection.

If I did not know God, I would consider it a huge advantage to be resurrected and get a second chance. Who would be so skeptical after having been resurrected? For sure, I would reconsider my disbelief in life after death if I resurrect. Wouldn't you?

So, let us put some structure in this. Consider individual X. I can only think of three alternatives:

1) X chances of resurrection are increased by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever
2) X chances of resurrection are decreased by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever
3) X chances of resurrections are unaffected by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever

This covers all cases. Which one is true, in your opinion?

Ciao

- viole

 

[anonymous9887]

[QUO TE="Saint_of_Me, post: 4454084, member: 57054"]This is a great question!

As an atheist, I guess by "changing my faith" or belief, it might be more accurate to ask myself what it would take to change my "lack of faith." Or...what would it take to make me believe in god. Or even, give some consideration to the possibility of a god. And by this, I am speaking of a theist god. A personal one. Like the one that Christians and Muslims believe in. One that actually cares about us; keeps track of our thoughts and deeds. Because this is the sort of god--as opposed to an impersonal deist one--that I find absurd and silly to believe in. Equating it with nothing more than superstition.

It would take even one small piece of evidence. Not even irrefutable proof, per se. But just maybe a sign. I miracle that cannot be explained by natural and scientific explanations. (I am a scientist, BTW). Say....god erecting a big force field bubble around the city of New Orleans that deflects a tidal wave about to bury the city of New Orleans during a hurricane next month.

A booming voice in the sky we all can hear, a message to stop killing each other, and accompanied by a huge fiery cross would be good! LOL.

Even a burning bush sort of experience. Like I pray to god and ask him to answer by setting this ficus tree in front of me aflame, and he does!

Or maybe Jesus showing himself once. IN person. Not as some nebulous figure in somebody's morning pancake or coffee creamer like is claimed every now and then.

But none of this has ever happened. Ever. In all these centuries since the bible was written. Even though most Christians claim their sky god CAN intervene in our world and affairs--if he chooses. Yet he doesn't. And he lets evil run free and go unpunished, and allows good and devout people who worship him die. Every day. Thousand of children die every day from disease and starvation. Despite what most christians will admit, the vast majority of their prayers go unanswered. And most of the ones they claim ARE answered, well, we all know that it is just a psychological delusion. A placebo effect. That they are attributing Divine intervention when there is, in fact, none. I find this sort of sad for them.

To me if their god is omnipotent, than he is choosing for some reason NOT to help with the problem of evil. Thus, he is not good.

And if he cannot intervene on our behalf, or at least on the behalf of his most devout, than his is weak and impotent. So why waste time worshiping him. Or even talking to him? As he is like the useless, senile and stove-up old man sitting in a nursing home watching an episode of NCIS, a show which he of course cannot intervene in.

LOL.[/QUOTE]
That

Well, then let us put some structure in this. Consider individual X. I can only think of three alternatives:

1) X chances of resurrection are increased by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever
2) X chances of resurrection are decreased by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever
3) X chances of resurrections are unaffected by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever

This covers all cases. Which one is true, in your opinion?

Ciao

- viole

that sounds about right, but as long as those in ignorance have some type of reason that god might justify. but this is the time when the good news will be preached world wide. so many in the last days may not have an excuse if they choose to turn away. but I may be missing something on my part

 

[anonymous9887]

This is a great question!

As an atheist, I guess by "changing my faith" or belief, it might be more accurate to ask myself what it would take to change my "lack of faith." Or...what would it take to make me believe in god. Or even, give some consideration to the possibility of a god. And by this, I am speaking of a theist god. A personal one. Like the one that Christians and Muslims believe in. One that actually cares about us; keeps track of our thoughts and deeds. Because this is the sort of god--as opposed to an impersonal deist one--that I find absurd and silly to believe in. Equating it with nothing more than superstition.

It would take even one small piece of evidence. Not even irrefutable proof, per se. But just maybe a sign. I miracle that cannot be explained by natural and scientific explanations. (I am a scientist, BTW). Say....god erecting a big force field bubble around the city of New Orleans that deflects a tidal wave about to bury the city of New Orleans during a hurricane next month.

A booming voice in the sky we all can hear, a message to stop killing each other, and accompanied by a huge fiery cross would be good! LOL.

Even a burning bush sort of experience. Like I pray to god and ask him to answer by setting this ficus tree in front of me aflame, and he does!

Or maybe Jesus showing himself once. IN person. Not as some nebulous figure in somebody's morning pancake or coffee creamer like is claimed every now and then.

But none of this has ever happened. Ever. In all these centuries since the bible was written. Even though most Christians claim their sky god CAN intervene in our world and affairs--if he chooses. Yet he doesn't. And he lets evil run free and go unpunished, and allows good and devout people who worship him die. Every day. Thousand of children die every day from disease and starvation. Despite what most christians will admit, the vast majority of their prayers go unanswered. And most of the ones they claim ARE answered, well, we all know that it is just a psychological delusion. A placebo effect. That they are attributing Divine intervention when there is, in fact, none. I find this sort of sad for them.

To me if their god is omnipotent, than he is choosing for some reason NOT to help with the problem of evil. Thus, he is not good.

And if he cannot intervene on our behalf, or at least on the behalf of his most devout, than his is weak and impotent. So why waste time worshiping him. Or even talking to him? As he is like the useless, senile and stove-up old man sitting in a nursing home watching an episode of NCIS, a show which he of course cannot intervene in.

LOL.

well first off not many people know about gods plan to be truthful. First off we have to realize who really rules this world. Satan. jesus says in john 14:30 the ruler of this world is coming. examine also luke 4:6 and 1 john 5:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4, revelation 12:9.
Now the question is why does god allow suffering? or why did god not destroy satan, adam, and eve?
if you tell your children not to do something for their own good, and they run off and do it, what would they learn if you removed the consequences?
What would that do to the others if god just destroyed them for doing what they chose to do for themselves? people or angels may think maybe satan had a point and the doubt would still be there.
by letting satan do everything else but gods will on the earth we get to see the results well that we have today.
gods sovereignty was challenged by satan.
I can explain a lot more but it is a long explanation, but this is just scratching the surface
he put an immediate solution in genesis 3:15
and he will restore the earth to a paradise once again psalms 37:10,11

 

[anonymous9887]

If I did not know God, I would consider it a huge advantage to be resurrected and get a second chance. Who would be so skeptical after having been resurrected? For sure, I would reconsider my disbelief in life after death if I resurrect. Wouldn't you?

So, let us put some structure in this. Consider individual X. I can only think of three alternatives:

1) X chances of resurrection are increased by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever
2) X chances of resurrection are decreased by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever
3) X chances of resurrections are unaffected by knowing about the good news, God, warnings or whatever

This covers all cases. Which one is true, in your opinion?

Ciao

- viole

But not all people think like you. But we are in for some prophetic events to take place shortly. That is why it's important that we are aware of what the bible predicts so that when we see it come true our faith will be stronger. But things will become more evident as time goes on.

 

[Kirran]

well first off not many people know about gods plan to be truthful. First off we have to realize who really rules this world. Satan. jesus says in john 14:30 the ruler of this world is coming. examine also luke 4:6 and 1 john 5:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4, revelation 12:9.
Now the question is why does god allow suffering? or why did god not destroy satan, adam, and eve?
if you tell your children not to do something for their own good, and they run off and do it, what would they learn if you removed the consequences?
What would that do to the others if god just destroyed them for doing what they chose to do for themselves? people or angels may think maybe satan had a point and the doubt would still be there.
by letting satan do everything else but gods will on the earth we get to see the results well that we have today.
gods sovereignty was challenged by satan.
I can explain a lot more but it is a long explanation, but this is just scratching the surface
he put an immediate solution in genesis 3:15
and he will restore the earth to a paradise once again psalms 37:10,11

You clearly put a lot of stock in the Bible. This is certainly appropriate for a Christian. But I wonder, have you ever sat down and read the Bhagavad Gita, any of the Upanishads, the Qur'an, or Laozi's wonderful book the Daodejing/Tao Te Ching?

 

[anonymous9887]

You clearly put a lot of stock in the Bible. This is certainly appropriate for a Christian. But I wonder, have you ever sat down and read the Bhagavad Gita, any of the Upanishads, the Qur'an, or Laozi's wonderful book the Daodejing/Tao Te Ching?

I have taken a look at the quran and there is a few things that I have looked into that I have problems with. I have taken a little search on the rig veda but there is geological errors.i have mainly done research on many bible based religion.the bible is just very unique. And I'm not sure if those religions you mentioned were formulated by men, but if they are, I believe only god can reveal life saving information to us. If those men revealed something to me that only god can reveal maybe I'll consider taking a look.

 

[anonymous9887]

You clearly put a lot of stock in the Bible. This is certainly appropriate for a Christian. But I wonder, have you ever sat down and read the Bhagavad Gita, any of the Upanishads, the Qur'an, or Laozi's wonderful book the Daodejing/Tao Te Ching?

But I am always open to a new faith, as long as it is reasonable and rules out my faith. And I mean no offense at all with my comments. I'm just speaking were I'm coming from I have love for all sorts of people including those not of my faith.

 

[anonymous9887]

For me personally, it was a change in how I perceived the world.

I started as a secular Jew, Jewish in name only. I didn't believe in G-d and didn't do anything with the religion. Over time, my perceptions changed and I began asking myself questions that I didn't have answers for. My self search led to a recognition of G-d and an embracing of Judaism.

Just out of curiosity if you don't mind my asking, you said you are a jew, why is it that you guys don't believe Jesus was the messiah? It looks like your pretty strong in your faith and you can provide an educated answer.

 

[anonymous9887]

The facts would have to favor the faith. It would have to be something useful that would be lifechanging.

Just to let you know true christians faith is not a blind faith, with a careful examination we draw our conclusions and verify the information.

 

[Akivah]

Just out of curiosity if you don't mind my asking, you said you are a jew, why is it that you guys don't believe Jesus was the messiah? It looks like your pretty strong in your faith and you can provide an educated answer.

In a nutshell, the character known as jesus didn't meet any of the requirements that Judaism and Torah specifies to be called a messiah. If you are really interested in details, I can provide a weblink to a good essay on the subject.

 

[Kirran]

I have taken a look at the quran and there is a few things that I have looked into that I have problems with. I have taken a little search on the rig veda but there is geological errors.i have mainly done research on many bible based religion.the bible is just very unique. And I'm not sure if those religions you mentioned were formulated by men, but if they are, I believe only god can reveal life saving information to us. If those men revealed something to me that only god can reveal maybe I'll consider taking a look.

If one for some reason insists on literalism, sure, I can see why geological objections would hold sway.

As for whether they were formulated by men, no, I don't think a bunch of guys ever sat down and came up with all of Hinduism, for example. It'd be impossible.

But I am always open to a new faith, as long as it is reasonable and rules out my faith. And I mean no offense at all with my comments. I'm just speaking were I'm coming from I have love for all sorts of people including those not of my faith.

So you love us all, but we don't get to go to heaven?

 

[Cephus]

I have no faith. I have no need for faith. I expect objective, demonstrable evidence for anything that I accept as truth. Without that, forget it.

 

[Akivah]

Yes that would be great!

Here you are!
http://www.aish.com/jw/s/48892792.html

 

[Cephus]

At least Jehovah or YHWH the god I know is very rational and gives plenty opportunity for repentance, when you really get to examine him closely you'll get to see how he operates.

Empty claim. Please produce a single way that anyone can objectively examine your God in any demonstrable way.

 

[anonymous9887]

If one for some reason insists on literalism, sure, I can see why geological objections would hold sway.

As for whether they were formulated by men, no, I don't think a bunch of guys ever sat down and came up with all of Hinduism, for example. It'd be impossible.



So you love us all, but we don't get to go to heaven?

Well again some anointed individuals will go to heaven as far as I know I don't have an office as the apostles did so I haven't been called to rule in heaven with christ and judge the earth revelation 20:4,5. But for many people we will live happy on a Paradise earth the way it was meant to in the first place. Matthew 5:5 and psalms 37:10,11 and ecclesiastes 1:4
The earth was meant to be inhabited by perfect offspring isaiah 45:18 but yes according to my belief god will make things clearer, and many will resurrect but now is also a chance to examine these things.

 

[Augustus]

I expect objective, demonstrable evidence for anything that I accept as truth. Without that, forget it.

Whether or not you accept them as true, many things you act on as if they were true are not supported by such evidence.

That is true of us all.