Why would "God" give every person the capacity for reasoning, but only some the capacity for blind faith?
608087
Romans 12:3 says that God has given everyone a "measure of faith," implying that it is an equal amount of faith given to each person.  You and I both have faith, but it is placed in different things.  An example; when you go to start your car, do you perform a complete PMCS (preventive maintenace check and service) before you start it each time?  Of course not!  You have faith it will start.  That's not blind faith because you know (probably) how well the car is maintained.  When I believe in God, it isn't blind faith either.  I know what He's done to take care of me.  Faith merely acknowleges that.
988549
I know what you mean. In the bible though it says our knowledge is just a fraction of God's knowledge...there are some things the human mind is not ever going to comprehend, which is why science was invented (the big bang theory..Please). I know someone who is extremely atheist/agnostic and its really sad that he's so closedminded. I mean, people say christians are closed minded but then atheists are too, because they won't even open up to the possibility that there is a god. I don't know...they greatest of the commandments is love so I guess thats all we can do.
686574
There is certainly some truth to what you say.  However, it is not the only reason.  If it were, there would be no converts to or from any religion.  The Bible defines faith as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  By this definition, believing evolution or the Big Bang IS faith.  In fact, even sitting down in a chair without first testing to see if it can support your weight is faith.  There are two types of faith, however, blind faith, and faith based on reason.  I believe most people have blind faith, no matter what they believe in.  Believing in something despite evidence to the contrary is blind faith to the extreme.  Many people have that, too.  I believe a faith based on reason is what we should demand of ourselves and each other.  That is why I put my faith on the line.  I have told many others, "If you can convince me that what you believe is more logical than what I believe, I will change my beliefs."  It doesn't matter how small or large the belief.  I have changed many times because of this.  My belief that Jesus raised from the grave, however, has always proved to be more logical than any other argument.  I believe it always will be.  That's faith.
575655
the same spirit is seen here when people try to blame everything on GOD...Instead of recognizing HIM as the ONE who knows what is best for us and accepting HIS will in life, these people think in their own little small window of perception that they know best for their lives...if I can only see two feet to either side of my face, only several hundered feet to the front of me, and not behind me at all without turning my head, why would I EVER think that I could see what was best for me more so than GOD does?\n\nThe creation makes a BIG mistake in believing itself to be greater than the CREATOR.
820103
What you have witnessed is a failure of imagination, pure and simple. Because they are so engrossed in their religion, they cannot fathom that someone could take on a different world view.\n\nThis means that they have stopped choosing to believe. Their faith is so ingrained in them that they can perceive no other options. Perhaps it makes sense to consider faith that is not chosen the result of brain washing, but I may be stepping over the line in suggesting this.
332692
God has a reason for everything. Human beings cannot comprehend God and the reasons things happen.
628556
No offense taken.  I believe in God because of what He has already done.  He gave His son for us, would he not freely give us all things?  (Romans 8:32)  That does not mean that we will be rich if we ask Him for it, because that may not be good for our spiritual growth.  However it does mean that He has everything we need and He wants to provide for us.  Just like I would do for my sons.
1126587
Why would the Bible tell us to pray for wisdom and then not have us apply it?  What is free will if there are no consequences for our choices?\n\nBesides, there's a fine line between faith and presumption.\n\nSometimes God has asked people to do things that seemed downright foolish.  It stretches your faith.  Everyone who loves you will come with their "concern" and "reasoning."  But at the eleventh hour, God comes through.\n\nOther times, people assume God is asking them to do something when He has done no such thing.  Or, in other words, they presume upon Him and put themselves in bad situations and tight spots.\n\nI've done both.
775980
That's a great question. Very succinctly stated, as well.  I wish I could come up with an eloquent and convincing answer but I'm afraid I can't... How can we ever know the answer to a question like this? It's like asking what the meaning of life is....\nIf God truly and unequivocally existed, I would say that he/she would definitely be limited by our perception of him/her. However, considering there's no way to know if there even is a god, I'd say that the idea is limitless and therefore all-encompassing and in no way limited or susceptible to limitations since it's all imagination anyway.
1156962
I have to agree with you. I have argued with my mother in law on countless occasions about this. Everyone believes in something. I do believe there is a superior existence , I do not, however follow any specific religion. In any religion there is always some kind higher existence. There is no TRUE fact proven (in any religion) on what and or who is right. I find people tend to quote things from the bible but don't actually know what they're talking about. And to those who believe that everyone should have a faith, I do. I believe there is something, or someone who will show us our true religion, everyone, as a whole. I apologize if I have offended anyone. That was not my intention.
535434
What you say just isn't true for many people.  People don't refuse faith; faith just doesn't exist for many people, especially thoughtful, rational-type people.  And you already know that it's not true that God always gives when asked; lots of times He doesn't.\n\nRE: Your Email (Yahoo wouln't let me respond directly):\n\nThanks Jenny.  I've read lots of the Bible growing up.  I have not decided "he doesn't exist."  But if He exists, he has not given me Faith.  To the contrary, He has given me a brain and a heart that do not lead me to Faith, even reading the Bible.  Who knows why, but that's the situation.  I can act like I have Faith, I can pretend I have Faith, but it would be a lie, and I can't just manufacture real Faith.  I'm sure it's very comforting to have Faith (regardless of whether it's well placed).
691863
God chose to make it impossible to prove his existence so that he could seperate those with faith from those who cannot believe in things greater than themselves.  Proof of God's existence would eliminate free will and the ability of humankind to become more than it is.  The universe was created by intelligent design so that an alternate explanation for existence was possible so that faith would be possible.  You can believe that God created himself and the universe or you can believe that all of the matter and energy in the universe suddenly created itself but you cannot prove either.  We live in a universe bound by the laws of causality.  Every thing has a beginning and an end and for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  There has to be a starting point to causality and you must decide what you believe in based on what you can perceive in the human spirit and the world around you.
566564
the basic premise of the question is in itself wrong, GOD aint everyone and everything, it is a part of him in each one of us and in things around us.\n\nso clearly a part cannot equal the whole entity, hence our pea brains as compared to HIS all encompassing knowledgeable self. \n\nso the situation you described is justified.\n\nas simple as that dear.
905608
Yes God could have blinked everything instantly in existance.  He simply chose to do it the way He did for reasons I am sure my little brain can't understand.
536772
A speaker from the "freedom from religion" foundation spoke at my college a few years ago.  He proposed that, because it is more logical to believe God is fiction, but less heartwarming, maybe God will only reward those who have the courage NOT to believe in Him.
1143090
There are  many wonderful reasons to believe in GOD,but many are blind and stubborn to realizes that their is a true GOD that loves us.we must not judge them like  ROMANS 14;10,says"But why do you judge your brother?for we  shall all stand before the judgment seat of GOD." for it is written"As I live,'says JEHOVAH, to me every knee will bend down,and every tongue will make open acknowledgment to GOD."so lets not judge each other any longer but rather make this your decision.
1095250
Of course you have the right to believe what you want.  Likewise, Agnostics and Atheists have the right to not believe what you want.  We simply can not understand how someone can believe something for which there is no evidence, much like I think you can't understand why someone can't just take it on faith.\n\nAs far as being mean, I think there are probably an equal amount of idiots on both sides.  It would be much nicer if everyone respected everyone else's right to believe or not believe without trying to convert one way or another or insult.