You were a child once, that did not know to believe in God. Then your parents taught you about God. They learned it from their parents, and so on, back two thousand years. It was always a lie. Right from the start. Yo cannot (WILL NOT) consider that, not ever. You've been taught so much FEAR and RESPECT and even LOVE for God, that you can't even consider the possibility that, at least as regards the Christian version of God, there is no such thing at all. Oh sure, maybe tere's some sort of deity, who am I to say... but it's EASY to see that whatever it may be it it exists, one thing it most certainly is NOT, is your God. Sorry. Too many contradictions. One thing even your God cannot do, is to contradict logic. A loving God, for instance, would never have created hell. Period. No, shut up, it's really PERIOD. Nor would he have bet with the devil and tortured Job, nor would he have done a thousand other things that the bible says that HE DID. The mere existence of the book of Leviticus, totally INVALIDATES your whole faith.
So, you're screwed here, believing in a total malicious, life-negating lie. Again, my condolences.
There are many things in this comment. Let's try to enumerate his points...seriously consider if he is making good points or not.None of these are new. I will list them and give a response to each one.
1. The only reason why I (or anyone) is a Christian is because of a tradition and upbringing
I was raised in a Christian househould, but not everyone who is a born-again Christian was raised in a Christian household or even in the Western world. Add to the fact that some are raised in just as a pious household as I and they turn their backs on God and you can see how this is really a fallacious and silly argument. Let me be clear I love God because He has personally changed my mind and heart and saved me from my sins because of his grace and mercy and not because of anything good in me.
2, We never consider if Christianity is a lie.
Of course I've considered it and looked at other religions and thoughts people have but I can find nothing wrong or contradictory in the Bible and I have looked and searched. The reason why I know Jesus truly saved me from my sins is that He changed my life and sustains me. On top of that there really are evidences that support the Bible and anything that attempts to stand against it can easily be knocked down.
3. We accept the existence of God because of we have been taught fear and respect.
Again: I believe in God because he deserves my respect and loved me first. I thank my parents for modeling this life but if it wasn't for my own relationship with my Creator it would mean precious little for me. When I stand before my Savior, I won't be judged by what parents did, didn't do, or taught me. I, like you, will only be judged by what we say and do.
4. If there is a god it's not the God of the Bible.
The Bible says that God is all-powerful and knows everything - who else fits the bill?
5. Too many contradictions.
Many folks make the claim that the Bible is full of contradictions but when they start to name them you can see that they really are misunderstandings or lies.
6. A loving God, for instance, would never have created hell. Period.
When people use this they define "love" as meaning that you can do whatever you want without retribution or punishment or discipline.One has to look no farther than my own generation to see that raising children this way is not a good idea. This is not what love is. Good thing that God does not run the universe this way. I always wonder when people raise this objection do they know what God should do with those people who don't want to obey Him but instead do things their own way including hurting other people? God has chosen to separate himself from them and quarantining them from those who will love Him. What do you think should happen? I think that God is being just. If you reject God now, you wouldn't change your mind if you were in hell.
7. Nor would he have bet with the devil and tortured Job,
Misunderstanding of what the Bible says. A "bet" means you don't know what the outcome is and God knew and was always in control. Job's life shows us that bad things can and do happen to good people.All this does is to try to argue from emotion without seriously considering what is being said. Look at Job's attitude. He thanked God for showing him more of God himself. His relationship was deepened even thought he was not told why God allowed all He did to happen to Job. Suffering does indeed teach such lessons - like it or not. Job's life demonstrates Romans 8:28-29
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.- Romans 8:28-29
8, Nor would he have done a thousand other things that the bible says that HE DID.
Notice the catch all statement here with no explanation or proof. or example. I would ask, what has God done that you have a problem with? Good thing God inspired Paul to answer this nearly 2000 years ago.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? - Romans 9:19-21
9. The mere existence of the book of Leviticus, totally INVALIDATES your whole faith.
Here is the question "how?".. Leviticus tells us a whole lot about the ancient sacrificial system.This system was symbolic and pointed to Jesus Christ. Leviticus totally does not invalidate my faith - Putting your faith in Christ fulfills and validate that system. Read Hebrews and here is another example:.
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
I think it is plainly obvious that if God is truly who the Bible says God is and has done what God said God has done, we should not just believe with our minds but love and trust God with our minds, bodies and souls.
