What do you believe and why do you believe it?
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A statistical proof of creation
Take a psalm, Psalm 119, written a piece of paper. What is the probability of it coming into
existence by chance. It turns out this is bigger than the size of the universe along with its age.
Now take life which cannot exist without 500,000 base pairs working together.
This is a book 1,000's of pages long.
Without a creator this is impossible.
The difficulty we have with a creator is cynicism and pain. Can we cope with an unjust, cruel,
sadistic God who just plays games with us as a kind of joke. Is our only defence rebellion to the
end? Or is God something else entirely and the puzzle of life the biggest challenge we face, an
eternal opportunity for something brilliant, for those who find it?
Take a psalm, Psalm 119, written a piece of paper. What is the probability of it coming into
existence by chance. It turns out this is bigger than the size of the universe along with its age.
Now take life which cannot exist without 500,000 base pairs working together.
This is a book 1,000's of pages long.
Without a creator this is impossible.
The difficulty we have with a creator is cynicism and pain. Can we cope with an unjust, cruel,
sadistic God who just plays games with us as a kind of joke. Is our only defence rebellion to the
end? Or is God something else entirely and the puzzle of life the biggest challenge we face, an
eternal opportunity for something brilliant, for those who find it?
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When you sit in God's seat and judge God, you have made the first mistake.
Do you know the heart of every man? Do you know what will happen tomorrow? Do you know exactly what person x will do 20 years from now?
We are judged not according to mankind's definition of right and wrong from mankind's perspective, but God's definition from God's perspective.
God isn't evil... man is. Man especially is when from his perspective he thinks himself moral enough from his unsaved state to judge God.
Do you know the heart of every man? Do you know what will happen tomorrow? Do you know exactly what person x will do 20 years from now?
We are judged not according to mankind's definition of right and wrong from mankind's perspective, but God's definition from God's perspective.
God isn't evil... man is. Man especially is when from his perspective he thinks himself moral enough from his unsaved state to judge God.
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Which ones are you refering to?
Scripture is very strange because most of the claims are very ordinary, and not that fantastical.
Some defy our perception of reality. But then again what is reality and why am I living at this
time of unbelievable wealth and prosperity and knowledge?
I wonder if you are just here to provoke or to actually engage in where you are?
I met a guy who actually believed Jesus was true, but just was not prepared to pay the price.
Sometime poking the church is an interesting pursuit, just to see what happens.
There are some seriously blessed and gifted people here, but sometimes we discover what
people truly are after. God has a way of making this plain. God bless you
Scripture is very strange because most of the claims are very ordinary, and not that fantastical.
Some defy our perception of reality. But then again what is reality and why am I living at this
time of unbelievable wealth and prosperity and knowledge?
I wonder if you are just here to provoke or to actually engage in where you are?
I met a guy who actually believed Jesus was true, but just was not prepared to pay the price.
Sometime poking the church is an interesting pursuit, just to see what happens.
There are some seriously blessed and gifted people here, but sometimes we discover what
people truly are after. God has a way of making this plain. God bless you
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I found several problems with the Bible:
1. There were immoral things in it - e.g. slavery and genocide supported by God. Homophobia and sexism. I think the concept of an eternal Hell is unjust and immoral for the "thought crime" of disbelief.
2. There were inconsistent things in it and sometimes outright contradictions - the differing accounts of the death of Judas in Matthew 27 and Acts 1.
The 4 differing accounts of the resurrection - I couldn't honestly put all the information contained within them and make a sensible narrative. Different women present. Different numbers of angels/men in white garments. An Earthquake in Matthew but not reported in the others!
The difference between Yahweh and Jesus in the OT and NT is fairly stark. God is supposed to be unchanging and yet Jesus changes things.
3. There were unbelievable or outlandish claims in it - the miracles, Noah's Ark, a talking donkey in Numbers 22, etc.
1. There were immoral things in it - e.g. slavery and genocide supported by God. Homophobia and sexism. I think the concept of an eternal Hell is unjust and immoral for the "thought crime" of disbelief.
2. There were inconsistent things in it and sometimes outright contradictions - the differing accounts of the death of Judas in Matthew 27 and Acts 1.
The 4 differing accounts of the resurrection - I couldn't honestly put all the information contained within them and make a sensible narrative. Different women present. Different numbers of angels/men in white garments. An Earthquake in Matthew but not reported in the others!
The difference between Yahweh and Jesus in the OT and NT is fairly stark. God is supposed to be unchanging and yet Jesus changes things.
3. There were unbelievable or outlandish claims in it - the miracles, Noah's Ark, a talking donkey in Numbers 22, etc.
I agree there is much to admire about some of Jesus' teachings. It's what attracted me in the first place. Although modern humans have been around for 100,000 years or more, so it's not surprising that having a sense of community and morality was important. Jesus (if he existed) certainly made a contribution to the moral debate.
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Reality is the way the Universe works, I suppose. It's best measured using a scientific methodology, and using logic and reasoned argument. For me, truth is reality accurately described using language.
I am here to engage, although my presence here and the questions I pose will be seen as a provocation by some. If a Christian says something that I think is willfully ignorant, dishonest or morally bankrupt, then I will call it out. I have debated on other Christian websites, such as Theologyonline, and I gained some really good philosophical insights.
I don't believe the Bible is a true account. There will be some truth in it for sure but I think it's convoluted and deeply flawed as a manual for life.
I am here to engage, although my presence here and the questions I pose will be seen as a provocation by some. If a Christian says something that I think is willfully ignorant, dishonest or morally bankrupt, then I will call it out. I have debated on other Christian websites, such as Theologyonline, and I gained some really good philosophical insights.
I don't believe the Bible is a true account. There will be some truth in it for sure but I think it's convoluted and deeply flawed as a manual for life.
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This is a good summary. I face the same issues, yet I have faith in Jesus.
Slavery - a solution to starvation and genocide.
Genocide - a community so corrupted and disease ridden the only solution is elimination
Homosexuality - sex is to produce kids and faithfulness to protect from disease. Homosexuality is sexual behaviour for
gratification alone, and very vulnerable to std's.
Sexism - womens role in child birth and looking after kids is a full time commitment.
Farming, hunting going to war is a full time commitment. This is not sexism, this is reality of our roles.
Hell - a place where God is not, which is outside creation. Reject God, reject existence.
God is everything, its focus, its direction, its essence. If one is at war with who one is, this is just self destruction.
Testimonies are always inconsistent. But the writers wrote down what they were told.
The truth is the incidents, not the details precisely but how people are reacting to the relationships involved.
Scripture is a book of perceptions and interactions, both historical, metaphorical and allegorical.
The fact it demonstrates this underlines its authenticity, rather than denies it.
Yahweh is justice and righteousness in action, Jesus is friendship and intimacy in action.
Both exist in harmony, you cannot approach God without both. Jesus opens the door to
the intimate in God, heaven come to earth in the believer, which was not possible until
He had come and died upon the cross.
Claims of miracles are nothing, they are testimonies of what took place, in historical time, eye witnesses.
Noahs ark is pre-history, which is a story written by God. As such He has His reasons. I just praise Him for
declaring the overview.
What all of this entails is mystery. And I know in my life I live in mystery. So if I accept Jesus is God, and
He rose from the dead, transforming fearful fishermen into men and women of God, I am prepared to accept
the rest suspending my disbelief. The beauty is, this is history, and what affects me is tomorrow and how
I view it. With Jesus I know the next step, and I praise Him for this. Amen
Slavery - a solution to starvation and genocide.
Genocide - a community so corrupted and disease ridden the only solution is elimination
Homosexuality - sex is to produce kids and faithfulness to protect from disease. Homosexuality is sexual behaviour for
gratification alone, and very vulnerable to std's.
Sexism - womens role in child birth and looking after kids is a full time commitment.
Farming, hunting going to war is a full time commitment. This is not sexism, this is reality of our roles.
Hell - a place where God is not, which is outside creation. Reject God, reject existence.
God is everything, its focus, its direction, its essence. If one is at war with who one is, this is just self destruction.
Testimonies are always inconsistent. But the writers wrote down what they were told.
The truth is the incidents, not the details precisely but how people are reacting to the relationships involved.
Scripture is a book of perceptions and interactions, both historical, metaphorical and allegorical.
The fact it demonstrates this underlines its authenticity, rather than denies it.
Yahweh is justice and righteousness in action, Jesus is friendship and intimacy in action.
Both exist in harmony, you cannot approach God without both. Jesus opens the door to
the intimate in God, heaven come to earth in the believer, which was not possible until
He had come and died upon the cross.
Claims of miracles are nothing, they are testimonies of what took place, in historical time, eye witnesses.
Noahs ark is pre-history, which is a story written by God. As such He has His reasons. I just praise Him for
declaring the overview.
What all of this entails is mystery. And I know in my life I live in mystery. So if I accept Jesus is God, and
He rose from the dead, transforming fearful fishermen into men and women of God, I am prepared to accept
the rest suspending my disbelief. The beauty is, this is history, and what affects me is tomorrow and how
I view it. With Jesus I know the next step, and I praise Him for this. Amen
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I understand what you're saying. Although there are 10^11 stars in our galaxy and a further 10^11 galaxies in the observable Universe. So maybe it's not so unlikely. We could be the only life in the Universe. With Donald Trump in charge of it (now there's a horrifying thought!).
Paul Davies, a christian sympathiser, wrote a book along these lines and he concluded that there was a 50:50 chance that a creator God existed! Sometimes it's best to just say "I don't know."
Paul Davies, a christian sympathiser, wrote a book along these lines and he concluded that there was a 50:50 chance that a creator God existed! Sometimes it's best to just say "I don't know."
I don't believe the Bible is a true account.
I find this statement interesting. The bible is many accounts, from many different people, with many different
perspectives. What history has shown is none of the testimonies are invented, but embedded in the times they
speak of. And that changes things. The messages maybe wrong but there setting are valid.
The real problem is the bible is so vast only those who believe can put the effort in.
And the outcomes, the working out of the balances, even when the authority is accepted is equally difficult and
complex. So the bible is this vast question, that questions the reader as must as the reader questions it.
I see the bible as the reflection of Gods heart, which is infinitely vast, so if we are to take on such a thing the
price has to be paid. Without paying the price the answers cannot be found.
Jesus said it in these terms. Unless we become like children we can never enter the Kingdom of heaven.
And that is the barrier to the riches held in God and His book. Yes there are problems, challenges, perspectives,
but without Him in our hearts all will be opaque. God bless you.
I find this statement interesting. The bible is many accounts, from many different people, with many different
perspectives. What history has shown is none of the testimonies are invented, but embedded in the times they
speak of. And that changes things. The messages maybe wrong but there setting are valid.
The real problem is the bible is so vast only those who believe can put the effort in.
And the outcomes, the working out of the balances, even when the authority is accepted is equally difficult and
complex. So the bible is this vast question, that questions the reader as must as the reader questions it.
I see the bible as the reflection of Gods heart, which is infinitely vast, so if we are to take on such a thing the
price has to be paid. Without paying the price the answers cannot be found.
Jesus said it in these terms. Unless we become like children we can never enter the Kingdom of heaven.
And that is the barrier to the riches held in God and His book. Yes there are problems, challenges, perspectives,
but without Him in our hearts all will be opaque. God bless you.
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What is personal?
For me the challenge of emotional balance of life was a life long question.
Get it wrong, and you kids will be wrecks. Get it right, and they will be founded in life and love
and have the best opportunities life can offer them.
Jesus opened that door and showed me through my questioning and adventures what is the
foundations of who we are and how we perceive our lives. It is the cross that sets us free, knowing
we are loved and secure is true liberation, which unlocked the apostles and can unlock us just as
much. How could seeing the cross bring us life?
Answer that and the start of the Kingdom begins.
For me the challenge of emotional balance of life was a life long question.
Get it wrong, and you kids will be wrecks. Get it right, and they will be founded in life and love
and have the best opportunities life can offer them.
Jesus opened that door and showed me through my questioning and adventures what is the
foundations of who we are and how we perceive our lives. It is the cross that sets us free, knowing
we are loved and secure is true liberation, which unlocked the apostles and can unlock us just as
much. How could seeing the cross bring us life?
Answer that and the start of the Kingdom begins.
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