Can someone with enough logic dissuade me?  With all the hardship, suffering, and famine...  I only have God to blame then.  If he's real, he then started all of these knowing all these will come to past, yet all he does is look and watch.  Seemingly playing humans like pawns in a chess game.  I only have bitterness for him.  Its so easy to believe, have faith, and sing in joy when you're not the one suffering.  But for those suffering, telling them to have faith just doesn't cut it anymore.  No more blind obedience.  Because it ain't working, things are only getting worse.  And what do these people get from the believers, its because they don't have enough faith?  Its because they haven't put God above all else?  Give me a break, I'll put God above all else when I've solved my problems.  Putting him on top of everything else won't put food on the plate.  Seemingly putting him first is just foolishness.  Where is he?  What does he want?
212169
Check the link for the response I got a "Best Answer" for to this mom whose kid was asking similar questions.\n\nJust think of the most holiest people you can think of.  Pope John Paul was shot; Job of the Old Testament had his whole livelyhood taken from him as well as given diseases.  Some people will fall into their grief and give up because they think God does not care.  BUT he does.\n\nI know it's a hard fact to face, but God does not want these bad things to happen.  The devil has ways to make our minds switch. I tell you one think God does like, a seeking mind.  You may continue to ask these questions and fall from grace (which I ultimately hope you don't) but God will still love you.  \n\nContinue asking these questions.  They will only make you a stronger person.
404895
I know what you're saying and to try to expain it to a non-believer is like trying to explain blue to a blind man. Without faith is it impossible to please God because first you must believe that he is. The same goes for Jesus you must believe that he is who he says that he is. And yes He did say that he was the son of God and He said it to a man that was blind until he healed him, John 9:35-41 Let everyone read it for them selves. And by receiving worship from the blind man He was also showing that He was God because only God is worhty of worship. Genesis 1:26 Who is our ?  God said, Let us make man in our image.
67715
I hope I can help you in some small way. First, I believe that Faith is a journey each day of your life. Try to read your Bible some each day particularly the New Testament. Live your life under the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". Pray without ceasing....you can talk to GOD anytime you want. HE is always there with you. Will you always get what you want? Of course not....for HE knows what you need. Each day notice the world around you and try to do good things for others. Thank God each day for giving you this day. Have you noticed what a perfect artist GOD is, by the way? Look at the sky, the sunset, the leaves on the trees, the snow, the animals on this earth. What beauty HE has brought to this world. Meditate and be alone with yourself and simply ask GOD for help in guiding you.  I know with all of the horrible stuff going on in this world, sometimes it is hard to have Faith in God. HE, however, did not create this mess. HE gave us free choice and, obviously, we have made many mistakes. Ask GOD to forgive all of us and to show us the way. Each day that you do this, your faith will grow but remember, as I said earlier....Faith in God is a journey til the day you die. Ask HIM to be with you now and always even if you feel like your faith is shakey sometimes. As you grow older, your faith will strengthen. GOD is GOOD and LOVING. May GOD BLESS YOU in your JOURNEY!!!!
316011
The ingredients you find to rationalize your disbelief amuses me! Come on, dude, FLEAS!!!LOL that is your way of proving their's no God!? Weak proof at best. You should go back to the guy who put that into your head and slap him!!!LOL( just kidding, don't do that!) Appendectomies, right? Well I don't remember any of God's prophets killed from a lack of appendix surgeries! Yet God has always healed HIS CHILDREN who love Him. God uses such problems as the appendix to judge grown ups,yet things go wrong, and little children die, but isn't it better that they don't have to go on in this world but rather in a perfect world with their Father? Ohh yea, you believe that's it for the child, no chance, no hope, no love. Your beliefs sentence those children to nothingness and loss. Is that right? The "beef" as you say is in the Bible and you're starving yourself trying to devour the scraps dropped from Darwin's table. But his table is empty by Darwin's own admission. Darwin said "If one could prove that single-celled organisms can split then I am wrong." (I'm paraphrasing) And they can split as your precious science has proven. So why do scientists continue to back Darwin's THEORY? Because they would rather back a lie that they discovered rather than the truth that makes them useless. I'll tell you another miracle of God, friend. The miracle of God changing your heart, and that's the one that's harder than any other, but IT CAN HAPPEN if you'd let it.
440909
More importantly, and I suspect this is what you're getting at, why would a god who wants worship set himself up to be totally illogical and irrational? I think that if there was a god controlling it all, we'd be somehow predispositioned to believing in him, rather than having to ignore all logic and reason just to get into heaven.
579457
1. This question is posted many times every day.\n\n2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:\n\nI believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
650288
what the hell does vision have to do with religion.  Its not our fault if he makes us blind or gives us poor eye sight.  what kind of religion are you a part of.\ndamn
595357
Ha! Logic, reasoning, science and critical thinking skills are tools of the devil to lure the weak-minded! Blind faith is the only intelligent solution! Besides, I know what God is like because he is described in a book written thousands of years ago, and he has spoken to me, and has ordered me to molest children and do a strip tease before his majesty.
659936
Don't worry my dear, very soon I shall be sending something your way that will test your faith, and only the strong of faith and mind will survive. I have great confidence that you will survive, but many of those of whom you speak... I should say no more, I have already said too much. People who are not strong in their own faith will always try to find others to make them stronger. But it does not work that way, as I am sure you know. They would even send Me, the center of their cult, (which, by the way, I am fairly certain I warned against iodizing in My 10 Commandments. In fact, if I am not much mistaken, it was the First, and the most important.) threatening Instant Messages, telling Me to have respect for Myself. They would try to save their own Lord and God.
663095
This was a little hard to follow, though I think I understand what is going on. There is obviously some bitterness going on; otherwise they wouldn't feel the need to insult this person. Show them I Corinthians 13, where it gives the characteristics of Christian love. And Philippians 4, where it speaks of thinking on "whatever is true, pure, right..." You shouldn't have to say much, the Holy Spirit will. Much prayer for wisdom on your part is necessary. James 1:8 says if we ask for wisdom, God will give it to us. Lastly, don't accuse them. Just tell them kindly that you felt that it may not be loving of them to do these things. Hope it goes well!
628893
If God wanted to leave absolutely no room for anyone to doubt or try to disprove His existance and authority, He could have done. His thoughts and ways are better than ours - we'd love everyone to just have to believe - but God gives everyone the choice. People don't want it to be true that there is a God - the implications are too big. Like recognising that yes there is actually right and wrong - people don't want to go there - remember Pharohs magicians who tried to explain away the wonders that were shown them in Egypt - they didn't want to acknowlege God either - its nothing fresh!  The reality of our Eternal God who controls everything in life and death is just more than folks can take - they want to "live a good life and be happy" They don't want to know about a God who will hold us responsible what we do with our lives, it just doesn't fit with their "lifestyle choice". They will either try to logically reason a way that it could possibly have happened without needing a God or they will just instantly dismiss these realities without further thought as just "fairy tales". Don't fret. Yes some people will try to explain things in a way that ignores God, they refuse to believe - creation itself cries out! Its of no suprise in one sense ... there is going to be both the sheep and the goats. Stand firm. One day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He Is LORD.
591848
I think your observation is excellent. Keep up the good work. Right now it's pretty much a theory, but tomorrow it maybe common knowledge. Flesh it out, do more research, look for flaws and answer the questions they raise. Never be afraid to look where no man has looked before. EXCELLENT! God is very pleased by your faith. It takes faith like that for mankind to move forward. Faith is when you step out into the unknown trusting that God will meet you there. When you pray ask God to show you the crux of the matter concerning (a. b.c. etc....) He is faithful to fill your cup. He will fill your cup with new understanding far beyond anything you can imagine. Even to the point you will have to ask Him to "please hold" while you digest. Good luck, Wow, what an awesome vision.
373644
I've never heard anyone blame God for anything.\n\nI think the general rule of thumb is that we (the opposition) generally wonder why, if God is all-loving, AND all-powerful, AND all-merciful, AND all-compassionate,etc... does he not step in to STOP (or at least intervene in) the 'destruction and unexplained deaths'. \n\nThere is no answer for that. The whole claim is perposterous!\nI think if anything good did happen - we would jump up and down looking for the 'God' behind it. But so far.... the well has been found to be dry and wanting.
399966
I completely agree.  On the one hand they say God can't do anything to help people because he gave us free will and it is those who abuse free will that cause all the bad, but then on the other they go and petition God to help them.\n\nWTF?\n\nOh, but then when nothing comes of their prayers, they say "God gives you what you need, not what you want."  "God doesn't work on our timeframe."  Blah, blah, blah.  Seriously!  They have an explanation for everything!
236431
What you seem to have missed is the greater point - you're not your own to begin with - He created you, all he asks now is that you recognize that by accepting him and worshipping him - it is not his desire that any should perish - but being good is not what he designed us to do - he designed us to worship - good deeds are results of our worship - not our means of worship.  You are in the midst of spiritual battle and I'm praying that God will give you spiritual rest and a mentor to lead you personally as opposed to this forum. As a parent I raised my son with certain values.  I have entrusted them to him.  It is now up to him to choose to use them.  If he doesn't then there are consequences he will suffer.  Does that take away his ability to choose for himself?  No.  It just means he didn't heed a more learned and wiser, experienced person.  It is a poor analogy, but it was the best I could come up with.
149697
Okay, there are really a lot of smarties out there. This isn't a 'Christian' site, but I knew what you meant. We are in the Religion section and you are asking a religious question, so why do these atheist morons have to get in and disrupt and adult conversation??? Psa 14:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
475121
I feel your burden, this world has changed a lot in a short period of time. I am a believer in Christ, my faith is stronger as the world gets worse. You can feel the dark looming heaviness of things getting worse before getting better. I thank God for my faith. My husband is not a believer and I continue to pray for him. He is aware of the ads we see for upcoming movies, they are all so gory and evil. He is wondering as well as so many of us with what is going on in this world. I can only believe more people will receive salvation as time goes on. We live in such an obnoxious world that I don't think the rude people are laughing as hard as they used to. Just keep your eyes on Christ and everything will fall into place. God Bless to you and yours.