When I first read it I was surprised.
First of all, surprised at how a complex subject could be narrowed down to three ideas.
But, second of all, surprised at how the ideas fit into the scheme of this blog.
To begin with, the ideas were the 3 most common excuses unbelievers give for not believing in God, from this post.Second of all, like this blog professes over and over, some things are based more on how you look at them. Basically, you could back up almost any idea, if you believed it.
This post looks at 3 common excuses for not believing in God, along with some responses.These just happen to be the 3 reasons listed in this post.
The post referred to believing in God, but this post examines the ideas from the standpoint of the Christian God.
People don't believe in God because:
What is evidence?
For instance, if hearing God audibly is the only evidence, this might be true if you look at it a certain way.
But there are ways to "hear" God, as a human. It is more than just the senses, as the spiritual goes beyond the physical.For instance, one can read God's revealed Word, the Bible, learn from Clergy, pray, or review life circumstances or even just look for him.
If you believe God's Word, the Bible, then God spoke directly to people in the Old Testament. For instance, in Exodus 3 God called out directly to Moses. God also directed Abraham where to go, in Genesis.
What do you find in things like his revealed Word? Romans 1:20 reads,
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly viewed, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."From his Word you can alsolearnabout numerous prophecies that came true, or a coherent message from over 40 different authors over a 1,500 year time span.
But, what else do you consider "evidence"?
How about archaeological finds? Or "miracles"? Or coincidences in your life? Or personal stories of transformation?
Or perhaps you could look even smaller for ways to "hear" God in your daily life. How about sunshine, or a smile, or a break you didn't deserve to get? It might take some evaluating of your life, but that is good.
Basically, if you want to find evidence you will. If you resist evidence, then you won't find it.2. If there really is a God, then He would feed the starving kids in Africa. He would heal cancer patients too.
Adam chose disobedience from the beginning, while God intended all people to live in paradise.
One point to keep in mind is that a position of judging God is a dangerous one. Humans are the created beings, whether you like to think of that or not.
Isaiah 55:9 reads,
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." To say God wants people to suffer just for the sake of suffering is inaccurate.Another point to keep in mind is that God can, and does, turn bad things into good things, if you are paying attention.
Motivational speakers even articulate how this can happen in your own life. For example, periods of the lowest in life - like despair - are often followed by interesting things that can be viewed as good. (Have you examined this theory in your own life?)
There are even people who have experienced disabilities, such as paralysis, and said it was the best thing that happened to them. Is this crazy? Some say they found a new appreciation for life, where what seemed ordinary before seemed extraordinary. It sounds strange at first, until you think about what a miracle life really is.
Also, when bad things happen, there are often good things that follow. Look at the responses to tragedies in the world, and people coming together.
In fact, if everything were easy, you wouldn't have much to get you to stop and think about what you really need to learn and grow as a person.
The posts on this blog has attempted to explain how suffering can be part of God's plan. Some of it is meant to be a mystery.
But the point is that people choose bad things, and they are not God's intent. God, however, can turn the bad things into good things.
3. All religions lead to God, so we should all just love each other.
We should all just love each other, regardless. Obviously, this is easier to say than to do.
When people hear the word "religion", though, they typically think of restrictive rules to follow. If you don't follow them, there are consequences. However, religion is more than that.
For instance, Christianity is more about a relationship with Jesus Christ than it is about following rules. The New Testament of love supplanted the Old Testament.
Learning of the presence of God can be life changing. If you realize God is on your side, it can help even more.
It can help bring peace, help you take risks, help you get through life's daily struggles and bring focus and structure to your life.
More than just loving each other, people should be improving ourselves and appreciating what God has created. You were uniquely made.
There is something to be said for knowing where you came from, having meaning to your life, and knowing where you will be going.
(Also, if all religions lead to God, then how is that a reason for not believing in God?)
So, if you believe in God, then this post likely coincided with what you think. If you didn't believe in God, then you still might not.
But blogs are to get ideas out, and that idea is important.