Question for Theists

fried beef sandwich · Post by **fried beef sandwich** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:00 pm

Just another simple question for the theists out there: what would it take to cause you either doubt or otherwise not believe in the existence of God (or gods)?

The Hungry Atheist · Post by **The Hungry Atheist** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:04 pm

This doesn't apply to me, but I'd like to offer a clarification to the question. What would cause you to doubt/disbelieve in the god you believe in now? Or, as a slightly different question, what would cause you to doubt/disbelieve in the whole notion of God?

fried beef sandwich · Post by **fried beef sandwich** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:05 pm

The Hungry Atheist wrote:This doesn't apply to me, but I'd like to offer a clarification to the question. What would cause you to doubt/disbelieve in the god you believe in now? Or, as a slightly different question, what would cause you to doubt/disbelieve in the whole notion of God?

Hey, that's much better. Let's run with that one.

Piper Plexed · Post by **Piper Plexed** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:18 am

fried beef sandwich wrote:
The Hungry Atheist wrote:This doesn't apply to me, but I'd like to offer a clarification to the question. What would cause you to doubt/disbelieve in the god you believe in now? Or, as a slightly different question, what would cause you to doubt/disbelieve in the whole notion of God?
Hey, that's much better. Let's run with that one.

Most of my childhood 13-19 I was Agnostic. I felt that much of church teachings were in direct opposition to the teaching of Christ, actually I still feel that way. At 20 I made the move to Atheism when a particularly aggressive Born Again inserted himself in a conversation I was having with a close friend in the Mess Hall of my college campus. I'd rather not go into the details of that transition, it was a very ugly very personal time of my life. As time passed I continued to take stock of my life, was able to once again acknowledge basic truths (through exploration of many other faiths) and slowly able to allow the practice of Christianity back into my life. I am not quite sure what I am, though I practice Christianity as culturally I am accustomed to it. One concept taught to me by a very astute and well respected seminarian that I knew as a child, will always stay with me " Piper do not fear questioning, if we do not question how can we ever truly believe". So to answer the question for debate, I do both it is a constant though enriching spiritual struggle that I have accepted to be normal and natural.

Post by **otseng** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:48 am

Piper Plexed wrote:"Piper do not fear questioning, if we do not question how can we ever truly believe". So to answer the question for debate, I do both it is a constant though enriching spiritual struggle that I have accepted to be normal and natural.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

And I hope that this forum is a place where everyone feels free to question and examine Christianity.

fried beef sandwich wrote:Just another simple question for the theists out there: what would it take to cause you either doubt or otherwise not believe in the existence of God (or gods)?

From my experiences with other people, it is not primarily because of logical reasons that people abandon the faith. It is primarily through experiences. Piper gave one common example. I know of one family whose father was a pastor. One day, he ran away with another woman. Many of his children now want nothing to do with Christianity. Seeing the hypocrisy in the church also turns many people away (and incidentally, hypocrisy is the sin that Jesus railed on the hardest). Or having God disappoint them is also another reason people abandon God.

So, what would it take for me to not believe in God? I don't think anything would. Logically, I find the evidence for God's existence to be very convincing.

However, that doesn't mean I'm immune from abandoning Christianity. I'm a weak person like everyone else. And perhaps one day I might choose to engage in a life of immorality than follow the teachings of Jesus (though I hope not).

adherent · Post by **adherent** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:02 pm

nothing

nikolayevich · Post by **nikolayevich** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:27 am

It's an interesting question.

I think that all humans doubt what they believe from time to time. That said, I believe that in the Christian experience, out of doubtful periods can come profound change and closeness to God. This doesn't necessarily mean doubting God's existence, although, people needn't feel guilty for this. The best thing to do with doubt is to face it for what it is. Certainly questions arise around God's plan for mankind and what our purpose is.

As for something which would show me that God did not exist, it's a good question... or that my God is not the right God...

I would need to be presented with a more complete and perfect presentation of the origin, meaning, purpose and destiny of life that we find in the Bible.

By complete, I mean deals with all of these exhaustively, and by perfect, I mean that there is a harmony of truth, goodness, justice and love.

Christianity has many religious counterparts throughout the world, so this is not unreasonable to seek (a more perfect system). I'm not simply comparing Christianity with naturalism... Other religions deal with these issues. One has to compare as best as possible to arrive at an outcome.

What I do find is that the more I study other beliefs, the more my faith grows.

Powerofdaword · Post by **Powerofdaword** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:47 am

the only way I could doubt Gods existence is if He personally came down to me and told me He didnt exist!! Hehe!

Todd · Post by **Todd** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:27 pm

I think the only way for me to think God doesn't exist is if Time machines were made, I got into one and went back 6000 years ago and saw apemen....nah, not even that would work. Nothing can make me disbelieve God

smallmind · Post by **smallmind** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 4:43 pm

Some of the greatest Evangelists/Theologians have written at length about their personal struggles with faith.

I believe it is commonplace among believers - a testimony both to the work of Satan and the weakness of our old nature.

I believe it is healthy to examine one's faith regularly.

2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?'

I wouldn't call this doubting. I would call it "proving".

Time and time again, I am reminded of one particular verse in scripture...

2 Timothy 1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Nothing any individual could say would sway me, as I consider the Bible to be the infallible and inerrant Word of God and the only source of Absolute Truth that I can consider.

People's opinions are truly like doughnut holes... gone when you eat the doughnut.

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