Why doesn't God just show himself? (exist, Jesus, prayers, science)

[catman]

Originally Posted by allenk893

Demand evidence? Are you kidding me? If they were so intelligent, why are they demanding proof of something they claim not to believe in?! You don't need to demand proof of something you clearly don't believe in!

Perhaps if proof were forthcoming, "they" would change their stance on the matter. Some of us can actually change an attitude towards something on the basis of evidence. I'm not "demanding" proof, but the concept of a deity who rewards people for being credulous doesn't appeal to me at all.

[rifleman]

Originally Posted by allenk893

1) You, me, or anyone else that has lived or breathed on this Earth are simply unworthy to see God! Completely unworthy!

His creations are right in front of you. Only fools cannot see the hands of God's works all across this planet and the universe!

Originally Posted by rifleman

I'm no fool. I used to be a practicing Christian, and even prayed, though no-one ever answered. My neighbor, a middle-aged spinster, told me once that "the lovely, warming sun coming up in the morning!" was all the proof I should need that my prayers were being answered. Sorry; that's not very convincing, since, in fact, the sun comes up every morning with or without prayer.

Folks who pray and "hear" answers obviously want to hear them. Simple as that. Atheists never hear God's little voice in our heads, and what is claimed so often as a direct cause-effect relationship from prayer is simply the most basic of coincidences, or of Selective Interpretation. Look up the word "unambiguous" and report back to us, would you? Thanks.

Originally Posted by allenk893

Is that what you think prayer is?!! I'd say you are extremely delusional if that is what you truly believe prayer is!! But then again, what can I expect from a person that is NOT a Christian and has no concept of what prayer is?

Anybody who knows me can tell you my views have not changed a dime since the first time I came.

Yup: I agree. You're a "rock" to be sure. Unchangeable. No matter what. Literally; no matter what.

[nimchimpsky]

There are two things that makes the God debate most difficult.

Most religious beliefs are inherently structured in a way that makes them impossible to disprove. Rather than being open to other possibilities, most religions are set up in a way where there is absolutely no evidence that can be found that would lead to believing in a different god, more gods, fewer gods, or no god. Instead, there's just another religious explanation for what might otherwise be considered evidence. Whereas on the other hand, most atheists' beliefs aren't set up in such a proof-safe way, in other words, there are certain types of evidence that most atheists would consider to be evidence towards a God. There is a minority of atheists that structure their beliefs in the same way as the majority of theists, and in this case they just treat their atheism like another religion, but for the most part, atheists don't set up their beliefs to be proof-safe.

On the other hand, what makes theism proof-safe to most atheists is not because of how they structure their beliefs, but because of the fact the vast majority atheists rely on the scientific process, whereas the vast majority of theists rely on subjective experience. I don't want to at all invalidate subjective experience, because I think subjective experience is very real and definitely a part of life. The problem is it doesn't hold up in science. Science doesn't accept subjectivity as proof or evidence. So while most atheists are looking for an objective answer, most theists only have subjective experiences to offer as their proof of God. When there are objective events that religious people draw on, they are usually supplemented with heavy amounts of subjective interpretation. That makes their reason for believing impossible to disprove in science because of the very nature of their belief.

As a result, the vast majority of the God debate gets nowhere. If theists and atheists can agree on what would be considered evidence of a God, then maybe we can get somewhere. Until then, we're just running around in circles quoting from sources that the other side doesn't consider valid. In order for the debate to get anywhere, we need to find a common base that both atheists and theists consider to be valid so that we can look for evidence that holds up in both communities.

[Wallisdj]

Perhaps it is because we all look towards a god that is above and beyond us, akin to a world described by Plato.

Perhaps if we looked at a God that is composed of 7 billion people (that would be one part), integral to humanity, in and with as well as without mankind.

Perhaps if we just look at other people we can begin to recognize God.

First, we have to remove from our minds all the brainwashing we have received as to what God is, how God behaves, what God expects, etc.

Maybe then we can appreciate the true "immenseness" of God as well as the "cozy companion" God can become as well.

[catman]

That's a big step in the right direction, but why bother with the supernatural concept of a god at all?

[cruxan]

Why doesn't God just show himself?

1... there is no god, and everything evolved out of pure chaos..

2 god is running an experiment with the universe and organic mater, and will not intervene

3 god is still an infant, and likes to see a lot of chaos,just like a kid with ant farm.

4 the god that governs our universe has to get permission from the bigger god before he can intervene. and so on right up the ladder. bureaucracy amonst gods

5 or god just doesn't have enough time in his day to worry about some little parastite destroying a speck in his creation.. kinda like me worring about a speck of dust in antarctica..


6--- god is so big that he doesn't even know we exist, kinda like us humans looking for elusive particles smaller than neutrinoes, quarks..


7 god is unsatisfied with his creation and is getting ready to wipe the slate clean.

god is only going to pick a few life forms from his universes to have in his collection.. kinda like noahs ark..

8 god is just waiting for just the right moment to intervene..

[dorado0359]

Not only will he not show himself...he won't speak for himself either.

[perwil3356]

God does show Himself to the ones who are seeking Him through the word and faith,He lives in the heart of all who believe .

[mythunderstood]

Originally Posted by allenk893

If your a Christian, we communicate with God daily. It's called prayer. And it's your sins that are vile and evil. Not you. That's why Jesus died on the cross for them so you could live. How dare I bring you back down to Earth and remind you you came at a price? How dare I.

Since when did Jesus die for unbelievers?

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by dorado0359

Not only will he not show himself...he won't speak for himself either.

If you rely only on left brain discipline and skills and the five senses . . . and do not develop right brain discipline and skills . . . you are like an unsighted or deaf person trying to see or hear God.