Why should I be expected to believe?

[sanfran22]

This is my two cents on the matter. Despite what some of our more hardened religious believers on here say it is not anyone's responsiblity on here to get you or anyone else to believe in God or not to believe in him. Yes some of them are trying to sway you one way or another but I don't think that is their place to do so. If you are interested in finding God you have to reach out for him yourself. You would be surprised in what he may put in your heart. God may not direct you to become a christian. He may direct you to become a jew, muslim or something else that hasn't been discussed for that matter. Yes people want to strong arm their religion on others and they are poor examples of christians, muslims, jews etc. When it is your time to find God you will go because you want to not because someone strong armed or insulted you. Also go with what's in your heart not the popular religion or what your family and friends follow. I pray offer my sincere prayer that you will one day find what your heart desires.

Actually, we are commanded to witness many times in the Bible. So you would be incorrect....
Matt 28: 19-20
Acts 1:8
are just a few examples.
No one is strong arming here. It's our witness and we are planting a seed. I don't see anyone recommending converting by force.. We have all said it is your choice. There is only one way and it's pretty clear....
2 Corinthians 4:4
Jn 3:16
Romans 6:23
Jn 17:3
Acts 4:12

[duane1969]

Thanks for the response but it doesn't answer the question. I am not looking to find God in my own way. I simply want to know why do you think God "expects/requires" me to believe in Him?

Maybe this is the answer you seek?

God originally created Adam and Eve to be the perfect image of himself. The perfection of love and caring. They were one with nature. The animals did not fear them, they feared nothing. Then they sinned. The perfection was lost. God desires for us to seek that perfection that he intended for us to be.

God does not expect/require that we believe in him, but he desires it. He desires for us to want to be the perfect vessels that he intended for us to be. The embodiment of being Christian is the effort to be what he intended for us to be from the beginning.

[mrveggieman]

you realize that by taking that stance you are making all religions false. every religion claims to be the only one. Every holy book asks their followers to seek out and save the lost. How can you say it isn't their place to do so? Every version of God asks that of his followers. Now, I am firmly against anyone strong arming or insulting, or scaring someone into belief. If I may ask, what kind of church do you attend and how often do you agree with the lesson? Because if it is a christian church, i would have to assume you disagree with a large percentage of what is taught.

I go to a black christian church in that atlanta area. And btw incase anyone was wondering all races attend the church as well. And you are wrong with your assumptions once again. I keep coming back every week because if feel that my bishop is on point with his teachings. He really dosen't spend that much time clowing other religions because he is trying to build us up not tearing down others. Just like in business put your best effort in promoting your own product not tearing down someone elses. Let the consumer/worshiper decide what they ultimately want.

[mrveggieman]

maybe this is the answer you seek?

God originally created adam and eve to be the perfect image of himself. The perfection of love and caring. They were one with nature. The animals did not fear them, they feared nothing. Then they sinned. The perfection was lost. God desires for us to seek that perfection that he intended for us to be.

God does not expect/require that we believe in him, but he desires it. He desires for us to want to be the perfect vessels that he intended for us to be. The embodiment of being christian is the effort to be what he intended for us to be from the beginning.

+1

[habsheaven]

look, some people require proof and evidence before they believe anything. For those people, religion doesn't work. If they choose to seek it they demand god answer to them. God is very upfront, in all religions, that belief will require faith, not proof.

as to your last question, the whole point of heaven is spending eternity in the presence of God. So, of course your decision about whether to acknowledge him in this life should matter.

I will repeat what i wrote on the other thread. People want to live a life where they can do whatever they want, deny, curse, etc. God and then when they die, if God is good he better give them what they deserve. It doesn't work like that. I see the appeal of that life choice but it doesn't.

As to your first question, the people who have found adequate answers are those who took God at his word that it would require faith, instead of waiting around for God to prove himself to them. they found enough reason to put faith in God. I'm actually not trying to make light of it. That is actually the biggest difference.

First bold: most non-believers do not live a life where they can do WHATEVER they want. For most, the only difference between themselves and believers is they do not believe. Are you, or God for that matter, implying that the position of a non-believer is unreasonable?

Second bold: In order to "take God at His word" you have to first BELIEVE the MEN that tell you it is God's word. Do you not?

[ensbergcollector]

I go to a black christian church in that atlanta area. And btw incase anyone was wondering all races attend the church as well. And you are wrong with your assumptions once again. I keep coming back every week because if feel that my bishop is on point with his teachings. He really dosen't spend that much time clowing other religions because he is trying to build us up not tearing down others. Just like in business put your best effort in promoting your own product not tearing down someone elses. Let the consumer/worshiper decide what they ultimately want.

i definitely wasn't talking about knocking other religions. i have been in ministry 12 years and have never heard a sermon knocking anyone else. I meant the idea that we aren't supposed to reach out to other people and lead them to christianity. that is one of the largest teaching in the new testament. Also, the idea that all religions are the same. One of jesus' largest teachings was that he was the only way to God. Just seems hard for a christian to not believe either of those things.

[ensbergcollector]

First bold: most non-believers do not live a life where they can do WHATEVER they want. For most, the only difference between themselves and believers is they do not believe. Are you, or God for that matter, implying that the position of a non-believer is unreasonable?

Second bold: In order to "take God at His word" you have to first BELIEVE the MEN that tell you it is God's word. Do you not?

i don't think the life of a non-believer is unreasonable, but that also doesn't make it right (i was not trying to imply all non-believers do whatever they want, sorry for any confusion)

yes, you would definitely have to have faith in God's word.

[habsheaven]

Maybe this is the answer you seek?

God originally created Adam and Eve to be the perfect image of himself. The perfection of love and caring. They were one with nature. The animals did not fear them, they feared nothing. Then they sinned. The perfection was lost. God desires for us to seek that perfection that he intended for us to be.

God does not expect/require that we believe in him, but he desires it. He desires for us to want to be the perfect vessels that he intended for us to be. The embodiment of being Christian is the effort to be what he intended for us to be from the beginning.

So when He doesn't get what he desires from me, He proceeds to shun me in death. Despite the fact that my only convincing is a bunch of MEN who claim to be spreading His word.

Does this sound reasonable to anyone?

[duane1969]

Second bold: In order to "take God at His word" you have to first BELIEVE the MEN that tell you it is God's word. Do you not?

Again, the same can be said about pretty much anything historic. We have to accept that scientist are honest when they talk about global warming trends, we have to accept that historians are acurately describing how Rome rose and fell...it takes a little faith and trust to believe anything that we can not personally hold tangible proof of.

[ensbergcollector]

So when He doesn't get what he desires from me, He proceeds to shun me in death. Despite the fact that my only convincing is a bunch of MEN who claim to be spreading His word.

Does this sound reasonable to anyone?

like I said in my original response, for those who demand proof it doesn't seem reasonable. Instead, we DEMAND that God prove himself to us. If, just for this conversations sake, you believe everything about God, is it reasonable for us to demand anything of him?