Between A Rock & A Hard Place

I've been noticing what kind of threads you like and have taken a look at some of the things you write about. In doing that I've noticed a definite pattern. Please try not to take this offensively, but you've been asking redundant questions for over four years and you apparently still don't have the answer you're looking for. This infatuation seems to torment you, like there is a war inside of you between whether or not you want to believe in God and salvation.You seem conflicted and it's almost like you have to convince yourself to hang on to the last thread of hope.I don't know if there is a God. There have been definite moments in my life, very infrequent though, that even as a rational man was certain I was touched by the hand of God. Those precious few moments though cannot sustain a relationship. And that's what Jesus likens it to, right? A marriage? Can a marriage survive without communication? It sure as hell seems like he either doesn't exist, doesn't answer prayer, or is just totally indifferent to it.My question is not so much whether or not God exists. My questions are if there is one, is this anything like what is described in the Bible? How would we know either way? Or forget about knowing, how do you even develop the faith to sustain your belief?What if he is just the biggest son-of-a-bitch you can think? Or indifferent to your suffering?If God created everything and made us the way we are, then doesn't that make hmi responsible for the product?Al Pacino once said in a role as Satan,"Look, but don't touch... Touch, but don't taste... Taste, but don't swallow!"That really made an impact on me because it certainly seems unfair to demand these expectations for an absent father who only comes around when you are on the absolute brink of despair. He supposedly gives you something like a strong sexual desire, but then condemns you if you act on the very impulse he imparted! WTF?!?!I guess then my question to you is, what does this all benefit you? What are you getting out of this deal, where he gets all praise and worship for what exactly? What does he do? That's a serious and honest question. I'm not being rhetorical. Edited by Hyroglyphx, : No reason given.

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

Strangely enough all cults claim the same esoteric promises; the select few with the illusion of having insider knowledge while the masses are lost. That's just it though, Peg. He's been asking for a long time and he's received next to nothing. If you examine what he's writing and read between the lines, he's searching for validation for his beliefs. As he said himself, he doesn't know what to believe anymore. What relationship? Seems terribly one-sided. Isn't that circular? And which parts, since some clearly contradict others?

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

It's not his fault. That's how the bible presents itself. The New Testament claimed infallibility for the NT and the OT. As Peg said, it all goes back to the bible. If anything is wrong in it, then the all the pieces come crashing to the ground.He is probably accutely aware of this problem. This is why ICR has to deny refuting evidence and come up with off-the-wall theories to sustain a ridiculous literal interpretation.They could avoid all that if they simply realized that 70% of the bible is an historical chronicling of the Hebrew people and 30% is poetry and symbolism.

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

So are you saying that the bible itself doesn't teach the doctrine of infallibility, but dogma does?

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

When I say "the bible" obviously I am referring to the collection of different books. It's just easier that way.

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

I'm sure you understood what I meant. I could have sworn that it was Jesus and Paul, but after examining the verse I was thinking about for Jesus, he simply said that not one jot or tittle of the law would pass away until all things were accomplished.As for Paul I thought he spoke more definitively. But 2 Timothy 3 is the only thing that comes close to scriptures being infallible and even then he doesn't distinguish which scriptures since so many were not cannonized.I stand corrected. It is dogma not scripture.

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson

quote:

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So I take it you never dare to question scripture. What makes you so sure it is inerrant?

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A: It's in the bible, therefore it is true.Q How do you know God's word is inerrant?A: Because God said so in his word.Do you see how that is circular?And about faith, obviously God does understand something beyond faith or he wouldn't have made two thirds of the bible prophecy which are ways to prove himself. It's not about just believing, because Islam requires the same thing.Faith alone, particularly blind faith, seems useless without something initially verifying or prompting one to believe in the first place.This is all learned from an early age. If you had no prior knowledge about God, you'd be no different than any other pagan, right? So obviously a measure of proof is required to get you started. Evidence has to precede faith.

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"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." Thomas Jefferson