why is the idea of a loving creator so strongly opposed by those that would rather live in sin and reject him?
964172
Because they are deceived by the devil.
709751
Its little wonder that people today are not interested in the things of the Lord as we are told that in the last days man will be ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth and man will not want to retain any knowledge of God in their minds. These same people are quick to blame God or everything yet don't want to know him when they are not experiencing any problems. From my personal experience the real problem is getting people to firstly accept that they need a savior as they have a condition in them that condemns them to hell and they seem oblivious to this. The condition is called "sin in the flesh" and its this condition which ultimately sends them to hell unless they come Gods' way and accept Jesus as their savior and become born again. Judging from the answers you have already received, it is apparent that the vast majority are still totally in the dark when it comes to this critical issue. Many are content to carry on as though they will be O.K. as they live good lives and do good deeds whilst they are unaware that it is their inner condition which will result in their final destruction. All we can do is keep praying for "all men everywhere"
439895
God is all-powerful; he can turn water into wine and cure the blind. Heck, he created the whole universe. So what makes you think he can't change the text of the bible written by the misguided kings, warlords and other misguided beings who wrote the bible? \n\nAnd I love a God who punished people for the slightest sin as depicted in the infallible bible. So much for the all-forgiving God. \n\nThank you God for making us kill the very people who discovered that the glorious earth You created is not flat.\n\nThank you God for condemning me and 20 billions of soul into hell for being misguided by satan you created. I would rather sit in hell then to be in heaven thinking about all the people suffering in hell, esp my loved ones and the people in the jungles of the third world who has not even heard of You or people who were brought up being a jew, muslim, hindu etc. For that reason, even if He does exist and offers me a place in heaven, i'd say no thanks because it wouldn't be much better in heaven either.
733174
I'm not totally sure why people don't join Christianity. But- I think it might have something to do with it contradicting itself constantly. Another reason might be because people like Evangelicals preach messages of Christ's love-only to turn around and use the Bible to perpetuate xenophobic ideals.
1049286
Well throught the years the self-righteous have always tried to beat up on people that don't have their beliefs... And say well god said to do it... If there is a god I picture him being one of love not one who says "you are different" or "I hate the fags" you know in the bible it says you should keep slaves... I bet a certain group in very happy that their were good people who said no it's not ok to have slaves. Religion is evil... in the wrong peoples hand like Hitler, Bush Jr.
433607
I have to say I got a bit lost in your question, but i see you are sincere. Some people only spend time on pointing out hate and war towards their neghbors and demand to get loved for their)(fake)righteousness! Others, live life by their heart and demand nothing, you can hate them and they will accept it like it is just part of God's plan. They will still love you no matter what you do to them. \n\nYou choose who you follow. I follow my heart and look for those who do the same. You decide what is deception and what is true, not a book or a man. Only you hold the timeless key of truth.
1089267
A real Christian would never even consider hating or judging anyone else. He would be more concerned about setting a good example than condemning others.\n\nBut, there aren't many real Christians, and those who are don't claim to be.\n\nHatred is a weakness for anyone, irrespective of beliefs. And should not be allowed to gain control of or influence a person's life because it only makes a person worse, not better.\n\nThose who claim they have the authority to hate sin only reveal their own ignorance and weakness.
994312
I've never understood the doctrine of "love the sinner but hate the sin."  When "the sin" is how you define a person (e.g., homosexual, liberal, feminist, believer-in-science, dancer-around-fires or whatever), then how can you claim to be loving the person while hating the very thing that -- in your eyes -- makes him who he is?\n\nIf christians define themselves by their belief, and if I fear and despise everything that their belief stands for, then I have to admit that I would not choose to spend time with christians if I could avoid it (with the exception of family and friends who don't care what I believe).
748723
Everyone has a choice, God does not "make" Muslims, etc. He may know someone will make choices that turns them into a Muslim, but God values our choices. Look, if God wanted to just let everyone into heaven that loved him, and cast away the rest into hell, he can do so WITHOUT putting us on earth first. But why would he let us be on earth when he knows we wont serve him anyway? Well imagine if you were created straight in hell... You could easily argue, "God I never had a choice to follow you!", but since you were on earth you DID have choices, and so you get to understand why you go to heaven or hell. Remember though, no one goes to hell if they doesn't deserve to be there according to God's judgement. So why didn't God create just Christians? Well, firstly that would be a form of force since we'd all be destined to go to heaven. Secondly, God might use the life of a non-believer to somehow affect another person into believing. If no one was criticising the Bible, for instance, you probably wouln't have historians and archeologists who back up the Biblical claims with as much evidence as possible. If you didn't have those scholars defending the Bible from skeptics, you might not have as many people who believe in the Bible. At the last, remember that God's knowledge and foresight exceeds are own, and what we may not think is "woth it" he does. Plus think about it, do you think us mere humans are worth the sufferings Jesus undertook? I don't want anyone suffering for me, but it just goes to show how sometimes God might do something we think is wrong, but to him it is extreme mercy and love.
194214
Sure when one is living in sin, they will mock anyone who tells them they are wrong. I don't worry about it. They have the same right to choose as I do. God does not want us to judge or condemn. We just need to live right and go forward, many times those that are lost will find their way through the example of someone who touches their life most of the time without knowing it. Each persons individual relationship with God is their responsibility. I think the problem is is that there are alot of people who say one thing and do another. Those that don't believe see that and use that as an example or reason to deny God. What they don't fully realize is that men are mortal and men make mistakes even the best intentioned ones. Again I think that the best way is to teach by example and be patient, Heavenly Father hasn't given up on me or anyone else so we shouldn't either, we never know when we will have the chance to teach or touch someones life for the better.\nThe other thing I will say is that sometimes it's alot easier to be bad than it is to be good. And when there is alot of sin they get burdened down and drug further away from accepting what is true. Repenting of ones sins is scary but Oh how it feels so good when the burden is let go and given over to Christ.
1054576
God hates sin, not the people who commit them.\nthat woman goes too far parading around funerals and stuff.\nYes, God hates homosexuality, but not the men/women who do it. He wants to forgive them (if they will ask) and welcome them into his family.\nUnfortunately, sin keeps us separated from God.
72217
god never wanted anyone to be 100% happy....even a person if fully content with everything will regret something in tht area....90% of this love things are onesided....why it is tht someone falls in love with someone he would never get,someone who doesnt give a damn....but still u can lay ur life on tht person.....this is just gods idea to screw up tht person.Even a good two sided relationship would end with a terrible pain or a jilt.....even god cant love otherwise there would be less innocent people specially children suffering.....this world is his cruel joke...definitely god exists.....love is his masterplan to screw everyone specially me.....coz love only brings n leaves tears more thn the pleasure people knw of....im sure god would never dare fall in love...
658584
Let me applaud you for your open mindedness.  Many people would just blindly refuse everything religous or totally ignore it while you are prepared to adopt practices you consider benifitial even if you don't believe in the religion.\n\nAnyhow, the problem with Pascal's Wager is one of motivation.  Is it not better to do what is considered right not because you are looking for your own benifit after death but out of care for others.  Some would say that the curse of damnation just scares people into not doing what is considered wrong.  This has happened in the past.  The threat of damnation or promise of heaven has also been taken advantage of by those who seek power.  It is also possible people may be so afraid of damnation they refuse to do any deeds in case they may be bad but in this way stop doing good deeds.
890608
Hi, I would not say that the sin is as much against the Holy Spirit as it is against his fellow man, it is blatant deceit, people sometimes get the concept of the sin against the Holy Spirit wrong.\nthe sin against the Holy Spirit that will not be forgiven is to deny the salvation ,brought by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and to live and die in denial of this,because the Spirit who cannot lie has disclosed this to the world.
624370
It is obvious to me that the evil in the world does not come from following the teachings in the Bible, but come from ignoring those teachings.  If people loved one another, treated one another as they would like to be be treated, were kind and helpful and did not take advantage of one another, the world would be a wonderful place.  That is the Bible teaching.  Where the people live the commandments of God there is peace and harmony.  This is the God I believe in, love, and will follow.  Satan is the one who spreads dissent, hate, discord, war, and suffering.  Satan wants you to not believe in the Bible.  There is no doubt in my mind who the good guy is, and who is the evil one.
1058865
AMEN. i feel exactly the same way. i dont understand how ppl that profess to love god can be so horrid to those who choose to live differently than they do. especially since jesus taught us to love our enemies, to always turn the other cheek, and that judging others was for god to do, not for us to do to each other. i wish you and your wiccan girlfriend the best of luck. its a shame more ppl dont think like you an i do about this subject.
1008657
I cannot agree more, we are, since the beginning of time, have been sinning against God the Father.  Its how we are made.  With our own free will.  The self is always fighting for supremacy than be subjected to a higher one, in this case, the laws and guidelines in life found in the Bible.  It is really a difficult struggle and only if one surrenders himself to the will of God can he win over selfish desires and sins to a life leading to God.