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If a request is made of me, I expect good reasons for it.
If God makes a request, I'm sure he would have outstanding reasons, but I'd need to see them first.
Not to mention the whole "hey, could you prove to me you are God?" thing followed by the "if you are God, what the heck are you doing choosing a nobody like me" thing.
Why? Because I'd be expected to. How do I know this?
Simple. Why am I being selected for Gods work, what do I have that is unique that makes me suitable for the task? Is it my body? Doubtful- there are numerous individuals in the world with equivalent or superior physical capabilities as compared to myself. Further, there are even more numerous animals in the world with equivalent or superior physical capabilities as compared to the rest of mankind. There is nothing I can do or know how to do, physically speaking, that is in any way unique. As such, if we're talking about physical capabilities, god has numerous better options to pick from than myself. The only unique thing I bring to the table is my own brain and its contents. I can conclude, then, that if I am chosen, it is almost certainly chosen because there is something about my mind that is required for the task.
If the god in question knows my mind to be up to the task, then said god must necessarily know my mind, that it is inquisitive and curious by nature, tries to make sense out of everything (even inconsistencies in what it knows to be fiction), and I always asks questions. This is fundamental to my mind, really, and if my mind is suitable for the task in question, it is in part due to this.
If a god chose me, said god has chosen someone that said god already knows will have questions that need answering. If that is a problem, said god would choose someone else; in choosing me for the work, said god implies consent to be questioned. After all, it's not as if there is any shortage of individuals who would follow gods word blindly, even if it meant killing their own children.
I think that Jonah pretty much made this a moot point. If God chooses one to do His bidding, you will do it, regardless of how you feel about the issue. Now, Jonah was a devout Jew who hated and despised the Ninevites, feeling that they were even unworthy of existing, so he avoided even going there. We all know the results of that fateful decision. He was eaten, partially digested, died, and was resurrected and vomited out on dry land in the sight of these hateful, warlike people. The fact that he was vomited out alive by the great fish (probably a Great White shark and NOT a whale) was testament enough to the veracity of his message.
were i to believe a god to exist i would undoubtedly ask questions. i was raised into christianity, it was my inquisitive nature that made me doubt the presence of a god in the first place.
IF an individual believes in God, it follows that to some extent, they trust in God. Their degree of trust defines their willingness to accept being chosen, without needing to question God.
But they are listening to clerics and they are almost all illiterate inbreds. Getting orders from the Burning Bush is much different than listening to a hate rant from a surly guy in a turban.
The terrorists are crazy! They think everyone has to follow the Quoran from head to toe. So, ISIS will even kill fellow Muslims who do not follow 100%. Although no one is prefect, we humans should not be doing such a terrible thing. But I forgot, they are terrorist.
Honestly I would find it troublesome. I don't have a son, but I can imagine that it would be difficult for a parent to release their son to God. In the end I wouldn't have an option. If God tells me to do something and he wants it done and he declares that I'd do it I would be forced to do so since what he speaks is truth.
So, now we have a situation where someone potentially will kill me unless there is some kind of random replacement to save me. Why shouldn't I be scared here?
Not true. You lack the ability to stop yourself from killing me. Who knows what else you would be unwilling to stop yourself from doing if you simply got the idea that God was telling you to do it. The fact that you theoretically can go against what God has already told you not to do bothers me greatly.
This is a hypothetical situation. If it goes against God why would he ask of it in the first place? Thus, why would you fear me from a hypothetical event that won't occur?
The fact that you theoretically can go against what God has already told you not to do bothers me greatly.
No, the definitive hypothetical presented to me was only involving a situation where God asks me to do something. I'm not factoring anything else in. I thought this was rather apparent, but if not then forgive me for assuming so.
You lack the ability to stop yourself from killing me.
If God declares something it is true. He speaks truth. So if he says something will happen it will happen. That is what I meant. I used myself as the example for this. Again, I assumed this was apparent, but I guess not so much.
Who knows what else you would be unwilling to stop yourself from doing if you simply got the idea that God was telling you to do it.
Again, this is a theoretical situation. In this theoretical instance it's provide that God directly chose someone. So we know this isn't just some idea. I'm not sure as to why you are making a big deal out of this.
What Cart man is saying is that you have come to know a God through the bible. How can you believe a being, who claims to be your God, if that being does not behave in the manner you have come to know him?
I've come to know God by many ways. The bible was not the first way. I believe that is just a generalization. Also, God behaves in the manner he has shown me, my church, and every believer. God doesn't change.
God isn't a homicidal maniac. Exalting judgment upon the Earth isn't the same as homicide. God definitely is wise in all areas. He isn't a maniac. I would like it if you show him a little more respect please. Thank you.
Gotta interrupt here- homicide is literally 'killing men(people).' You can argue that god isn't a murderer, because of the specifics inherent to murder- but if you believe in god as depicted in the christian bible, then you certainly believe that said god has killed men (both directly and indirectly) countless times throughout history.
You can argue the 'maniac' angle if you like, but 'homicide' isn't conditional for various reasons or mitigating factors like 'murder' might be. 'Homicide' is a very simple term, and many of the actions of god as depicted in the christian bible qualify.
Do you suppose that there were any pregnant women around when God (supposedly) killed everyone except Noah's family?
Also: "Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
Do infants, unborn children, camels, etc. deserve the judgment given?
This is a hypothetical situation. If it goes against God why would he ask of it in the first place? Thus, why would you fear me from a hypothetical event that won't occur?
I can't control God's actions, and you don't control yours. If God tells you to do something you know is wrong you will still do it. You have given me no reason why this won't ever occur.
No, the definitive hypothetical presented to me was only involving a situation where God asks me to do something. I'm not factoring anything else in. I thought this was rather apparent, but if not then forgive me for assuming so.
Right, God asked you to do something and the Bible tells you not to do that thing. You not factoring in stuff like consequences does not make your position better. It is part of the reason why you are a problem.
If God declares something it is true. He speaks truth. So if he says something will happen it will happen. That is what I meant. I used myself as the example for this. Again, I assumed this was apparent, but I guess not so much.
How many times has someone "talked" to God only to find out later it was a hallucination? Sometimes "God" doesn't speak the truth.
Again, this is a theoretical situation. In this theoretical instance it's provide that God directly chose someone. So we know this isn't just some idea. I'm not sure as to why you are making a big deal out of this.
How do I know your tolerance for being chosen? You said you won't ask questions. How will you know if you are chosen? Are you going to ask God for ID? No, you don't ask questions. People fly planes into buildings when God tells them to, and that's why it is a big deal.
I can't control God's actions, and you don't control yours.
You misunderstood what I was saying, or perhaps you are just trying to create a situation of your own. Shall I clarify myself?
If God tells you to do something you know is wrong you will still do it. You have given me no reason why this won't ever occur.
You answered that yourself. You are no longer making any sense. If God told me to do something it would be based on his nature. He cannot sin. Anything he would ask of us would follow those guidelines. After all this is just a hypothetical event I went along with. You're turning this into something it isn't.
Right, God asked you to do something and the Bible tells you not to do that thing.
This is hypothetical. Not factual. Not statistical. Not even based on anything really. The assertions you are making are attempting to void the hypothetical. That's not proper.
You not factoring in stuff like consequences does not make your position better. It is part of the reason why you are a problem.
You're not even on the subject matter anymore. In fact, you're just trying to turn the wheels in your favor. I have told you that God won't ask these things. You can't give me an unclear hypothetical situation and then act like the hypothetical situation was a real life dilemma. I'm not going to converse with someone who uses this tactic.
How many times has someone "talked" to God only to find out later it was a hallucination? Sometimes "God" doesn't speak the truth.
I'm not sure, nor do I want you to tell me. I'm finished with this thread.
How do I know your tolerance for being chosen? You said you won't ask questions. How will you know if you are chosen? Are you going to ask God for ID? No, you don't ask questions.
I'm not explaining myself to you any longer. I no longer wish to participate.
People fly planes into buildings when God tells them to, and that's why it is a big deal.
Blatantly false. A Quaran God maybe, but my God disavows such actions. You may post whatever you wish below. I'm done with this thread.
You misunderstood what I was saying, or perhaps you are just trying to create a situation of your own. Shall I clarify myself?
The only thing that will help you is to clarify how you know you are chosen by God.
You answered that yourself. You are no longer making any sense. If God told me to do something it would be based on his nature. He cannot sin. Anything he would ask of us would follow those guidelines. After all this is just a hypothetical event I went along with. You're turning this into something it isn't.
I fear anyone who would go against what they think is wrong.
This is hypothetical. Not factual. Not statistical. Not even based on anything really. The assertions you are making are attempting to void the hypothetical. That's not proper.
What you are doing is avoiding thinking about consequences. That's not proper.
You're not even on the subject matter anymore. In fact, you're just trying to turn the wheels in your favor. I have told you that God won't ask these things. You can't give me an unclear hypothetical situation and then act like the hypothetical situation was a real life dilemma. I'm not going to converse with someone who uses this tactic.
He would ask you to kill someone without explaining to you why. Can you kill someone without knowing why God thinks it is warranted?
Blatantly false. A Quaran God maybe, but my God disavows such actions. You may post whatever you wish below. I'm done with this thread.
I hope that helped illustrate why someone who disagrees with your idea of God might fear you.
If this is hypothetical and God chose us it wouldn't be a blind following. He would make himself completely known to the person. This is not blindly following an order.
Are you sure about that? I think they just abide by the Quran and see their actions as justified. Can you show me evidence that supports that all terrorists, in order to commit acts of terror, have to know that God has made himself know?
If terrorists do NOT believe that God wants them to commit terrorism, then why do they do it? For fun? Do you know a lot of people who would blow themselves up for fun ;)
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
-Genesis 22:5
Abraham knew God was going to provide a substitute sacrifice in place of Issac. For your question however he wouldn't as they would be against his nature.
I didn't ask Abraham if he was going to kill his son. Plus, I wouldn't admit I was going to kill my son either. I would say something like "hey go on ahead, we'll catch up"
I know, but it seems likely to be what she was referring about.
It is what I was referring to, but it is something God could theoretically ask of anyone.
I didn't ask Abraham if he was going to kill his son. Plus, I wouldn't admit I was going to kill my son either. I would say something like "hey go on ahead, we'll catch up"
It would be highly like that it would be talked about in the text.
I would say something like "hey go on ahead, we'll catch up"
So Abraham is simply going to take the dead body of the boy and no one is going to say anything with stab marks?
Doesn't matter, you said that Abraham would never kill his son, you are wrong.
I did say that, that being said
So, God condemns killing your son,
and asks people to kill their son. So, you are wrong, God does ask people to do things He condemns.
It was a test of faith again. (Genesis 22:1) He knew he was going to return with Issac. (Hebrews 11:17–19) Although we don't know the full meaning behind the text it is possible God was testing other things such as knowing God's morality and other things. It is still incredibly inaccurate to say that God wanted Issac to die. That doesn't mean you should hear a voice and your head and start killing people.
It was a test of faith again. (Genesis 22:1) He knew he was going to return with Issac. (Hebrews 11:17–19) Although we don't know the full meaning behind the text it is possible God was testing other things such as knowing God's morality and other things.
Yes, we find that out later, but the fact of the matter is that God asked Abraham to do something that He condemns solely because He knows He will stop Abraham later. The idea that God won't ask someone to do something that He condemns is false.
It is still incredibly inaccurate to say that God wanted Issac to die.
True, and I didn't say that. I said Abraham wanted Isaac to die.
That doesn't mean you should hear a voice and your head and start killing people.
This is my whole objection to StarChild. How do I know what she means by being chosen by God?
Have you ever read the Bible?? God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham brought his son, Isaac, to a mountain, bound him up and was going to stab him with a knife when God immediately stopped Abraham. God wanted to see how faithful Abraham was and how much he trusted God. Hence in the end, God provided a ram which was stuck in a bush and Abraham offered the ram as a burnt offering to the Lord. Get your facts right, before you go debating
God can't force you to do his commands. It is your choice to do it or not. Eve had a choice whether she wanted to pick of the fig from the tree and have it.. All choices in the bible.
But what if it wasn't God who had asked Abraham to kill his son? What if it was in fact the devil? And Abraham didn't ask any questions? And the devil didn't stop Abraham?
I think Abraham is smarter than that.. And God only wants the best for you, why would he do you harm. Basically, any good that happens in your life, thank God. And any bad that happens, blame the devil
If you belive in god, then yes! You should do as you are told because, god is a person who knows everything! I belive that if god tells you to do something then do it, because if you dont god will forgive you but he will know that you do not trust him!
The God we believe in isn't Allah. No offence Muslims but joecalvary is trying to offend Christians. I am not against Muslims ( I have have Muslim friends), one I have known from primary 1, all the way to Secondary 2. But I don' agree with Muslim terrorist.
i believe in God. I would only ask questions if I wasn't sure it was God. However, If I was 100% sure it was God telling me to go to some dangerous foreign country like North Korea, I would go. I might ask questions, but not questioning the deed. I'd worship and ask about other things, but I'd do the will of God