I think Atheists get a bad rep too. For me its not about the people who follow a belief. put simply I just want to believe true things. For example say I did come to find out that I was mistake and God did exists , my belief would change, I could not un-know something, yet there is no guarantee I would become Christian or any other religion for that matter.
It is possible to unknow something, lol. For example I had to "unknow" that all athreists are immoral morons. That was something I learned from other people rather than actually speaking with atheists. I had to unknow the belief that I was a "good" person. I shudder at who I used to be and still see miuch work to be done in my life.
What we need to examine, all of us, is the basis of that which we think we know.
( that scenario is unlikely however as if Christian God was real I think it would be foolish not to become Christian, personally speaking)
Well, just so you know my own perspective, I see that Scripture teaches that no one will be converted apart from the Word of God. I usually challenge atheists to spend time in Scripture and test that beleif. Many will say they grew up in çhurch so they already know that isn't true, but, there is a difference between an adult seeking truth and a child that is forced to go to church.
And just as important is the fact that many "churches" can be questioned in regards to their church's teaching and what the Bible itself actually teaches.
And at this point, if you are interested, I would ask what exactly do you know about the God of the Bible? Isn't it reasonable, Jess, that if you "do not believe in God," there be a reasonable basis for that rejection?
So I would ask what is the basis for rejecting God. What knowledge of the God of the Bible do you have. Basing it on Christians would not be reasonable, for two reasons. First, I cant see how anyone could find fault with a bibilcal Christian, which demands we first know what a Biblical Christian is, and secondly we would have to look at what kind of Christian it is that is rejected.
Again, what do you know of the Good of the Bible?
I have never had fear of Hell. I have given the concept of Hell consideration, how would it work etc, what is torment could it really last for ever, all of those types of questions.
I have never considered myself a candidate because I don't believe it is real.
So lets get hypothetical, lol. If it were real, would you discount yourself as a candidate because you felt you were a good person? This is within a framework of you believing it was real.
Secondly, could you expand on what you think Scripture teaches concerning Hell? There are some misconceptions even among believer.
If it is real then by God's standards I am a candidate because I don't believe in him.
That is true, though there is a little more to it than just that. I see Scripture as teaching that God reveals Himself to all men/women, and will judge them based on their response to that revelation. But, its not a matter that we are judged one way or the other based on our good/bad works, its a matter that we are born separated from God to begin with. In other words, we are born already bound for eternal judgment, and because God is not willing that any should perish, He has made provision for men, and that provision is the revelation He provides.
So I would suggest that likely you have a sense of right and wrong based in that which God has revealed to your heart.
I cannot however force myself to believe in god as I fear the punishment of not believing. I feel that if God were real that such disingenuous motives for my believe in God would be enough to have me sent there anyway!
Fear of eternal punishment is not the only motive, and I take the position that one must be brought to an understanding of eternal punish!ment, in reality,by God Himself. It's not something achieved by intellectual examination of data. It's like crying at a sad movie, you don't plan it...it just happens as a result of understanding the elements involved.
I do believe that people are fundamentally good, and I think we do bad things, but we are all just looking to be happy and sometimes we get broken and find that hard and heart ourselves and others in the process. But that's okay, its okay to mess up and we have to be willing to forgive ourselves and others. ....
I would agree for the most part, but forgiveness in relationship with God is another matter. As I have said, !ost people feel they are we good, and the wrongdoing they commit is never seen as extreme as the wrongdoings of others, lol.
We all-star in our own little productions and we always cast ourselves in the role of hero.
I think the question of morality is going to come up soon?
That comes up oin most discussions, lol.
Right I'm going to reply to your Continued section in my own continued section.....
Look forward to it.
God bless
