God is cruel

Like how?, man.I believe that they happened. I believe that Jesus was the son of god.What parts are you setting me up for if I just say no, I don't take them metaphorically?

Because I don't find them equally implausible.

Well this isn't the thread for and I don't really feel like, or have time for, a rationalization of my faith but I will quickly answer the question. Lack of evidence doesn't bother me.Evidence against can be a problem.I think its obvious that humans did not emerge as described by Genesis. A simple lack of evidence for Jesus' divinity isn't going to end my faith.

I think the evidence against Genesis is much stronger than the evidence against Jesus' exploits divinity. Probably not, I can accept it as a possibility but I don't think it actually happened. But is it obvious that they never have?Plus, if you believe in god, anything is possible. Why is Genesis not possible, you ask?, because of the strength of the evidence against it. The evidence agianst Jesus' isn't strong enough for me. Can I conceive of enough evidence to end my faith in Jesus? Yes, I can. What is it? I don't know, haven't thought about it much.

I disagree with this assertion. Perhaps you could explain to me why this is true. well you can put me in that boat

I'm not acting as anything. I keep it real, wody.Your personality does not make your decisions for you. You make the decision, consciously, your personality is just a part of you. You can't blame your choices on something else. I don't know what the hell you are typing about.

and that wasn't a conscious decision, nor a sin.but some of the things you do are.

No thanks.

Do or do not, there is no try. I don't feel like answering that question, the answer is too long and would take too much effort. I'm in the last half of my eighth hour at work today and I'm kinda tired.Besides, this discussion isn't getting anywhere.Why don't you make a point....gimme something worth replying too.

Not attributed too? I don't know. But if you don't know what "you" are, I'm gonna have a hard time explaining it.Think about your conscience. Before you do something that is either right or wrong, your conscience tells you which one it is. You then choose to do it or not, whether or not it is right or wrong. I don't suscribe to determinism, I don't think the choice has been made for you before you assess the situation, and I think you are responsible for choice that you do end up making.What makes you think that this is not the case?

IMO this version of god is cruel but I could be wrong.

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yet He does not provide enough evidence of His existance to overcome those limitations for people who require more than unsupported assertions.

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I just wanted to make a personal statement, no need to reply.

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I think that God wants us to believe in him because of faith, not because of proof. If he were proved, then we'd be like robots. We are god's children and I think he prefers real children over robot children. I think god wants children who are not forced to believe in him by proof, but choose to believe in him through faith. I may be wrong, but that’s the impression that I get.

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No, you are not completely responsible. No, you are not completely responsible. Yes, I think we are born with some sense of right and wrong. I agree that the environment develops it but not solely. You are born with a basic moral structure onto which your environment builds. I don’t think that conscience developed strictly from social interaction. I think there is something that starts the ball rolling, so to speak, and I think intelligence comes into play, along with social interaction, to realize that the moral structure that you are born with is beneficial and should be expanded as the group sees fit.

I think that was obvious from his initial statement. You are purposefully being obtuse so you can be a smart-ass. I think being a smart-ass is funny, but when you go that far out of your way to do it, it can be annoying. Unless it’s a difficult decision.Lets say someone believes in god, for whatever reason (no choice necessary). So they research the various religions of the world and find one that they find the most truthful and most applicable to their life. Then they choose to believe in that religion. Why is it so hard for you to accept belief as a choice?

But that is what he did, you just decided to apply and out-of-context meaning to a word to make being a smart-ass easier. Does not being able to choose to believe in butt monkeys mean that there isn't anything that I can choose to believe in?Does being able to choose to believe in something mean that you can choose to believe in anything?I would say no to both of these, you seem to think otherwise. care to explain? You thinking its true is the reason you choose to believe it. If it isn't a choice then what is it?you missed this part:

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Why is it so hard for you to accept belief as a choice?

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There are some people who realise that it could be a dilusion and then rationally conclude that it is not, and that it is in fact real. Now, it could just be a really good dilusion, but anything could be that, even the computer in front of you. So, I've come to trust myself in deciding what I determine is a delusion and what is not. I just wanted to let you know that there are people who realize the possibility of being deluded and conclude that it is not a delusion. Thats understandable. Faith is a weird thing but it does exist and can be beneficial.What about when you're faced with a challenge that seems unlikely for you to complete...do you just give up or do you have faith in yourself and try?Faith can be a very stong influece on the outcome. I think faith can be very powerful and I think that you are missing out on something if you lack it.

What if both religions were equally plausible, couldn't you just pick one and believe in that? That would be choosing to believe in something. I get what your saying and agree with you for most situations. In real world applications its true, but WRT god et al it is different."I can jump 10 feet high." I don't believe it and I can't just choose to believe that, me disbelieving it isn't something I choose, it just is.But, when it comes to god, I have to say that I do choose to believe in him. There is no evidence either way and no automatic belief either way, I access the situation and conclude that I do believe in god. That conclusion is a choice, its up to me whether or not I believe.