I have some questions.

Darrell · Jun 24, 2012

I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?
If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?
Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?
Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.
How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?
How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?
Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

Medusa · Jun 24, 2012

if you still ask these questions ,i can say you are not an atheist yet .)))))))))

but okay you say you may be agnostic.

in my opinion ,you cant get the answer you want through this questions ,because it is enough to feel the god to believe in him.religions are not questionable ,you just need to believe in them without looking for any logic.

CriticalThought · Jun 24, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

I'm a fellow agnostic but I'll give it a shot.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?

Slavery was apparently not that big a deal during ancient times and was more akin to indentured servitude. Of course, arguing that would be taking the Bible in its historical context so if we are going to be literal about it, God just sorta set the ground rules for it.

If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?

It's less a matter of test and more of a matter of how obedient we are.

Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?

Because God loves Lucifer.

Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.

Because they deserved it and because when God tells you to do it then it is no longer immoral. God dictates morality so whatever he says is moral.

How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?

They were picked because they were best suited to fulfill the mission at the time.

How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?

Depends on what you mean by "proof". Some people see miracles as proof.

Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

Maybe he does and we just aren't paying attention.

There are some typical overly vague nonanswers. I hope that suits you for the time being.

Thunder · Jun 24, 2012

I consider myself a Deist, because I think it is very possible that there is a higher power that started the Universe and keeps it all going...but I don't believe in a anthropomorphised God that speaks to & interacts with human beings.

TheLastIndependent · Jun 24, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?
If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?
Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?
Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.
How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?
How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?
Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

I'll give it a go...
1)Slavery was a practice of the time. If you look at the Old Testament historically, every wealthy guy had slaves; it was important to his status.

2)To realize His greater plan. I am not a huge believer in predestination, but sometimes it takes hard times to realize the good. It takes bringing out the worst in somebody to find out the best.

3)What CriticalThought said haha

4)To make a point I guess. I don't really have an answer to that.

5)If I were God, I wouldn't trust Joe the Plumber with fixing my sink, let alone passing along my message.

6)There are many signs of proof depending on how you interpret it. My English teacher was driving her very young daughter through town one day when she came up to a stop light. Just as the light turned green for her, she heard a voice yell her name. I don't remember who's voice she said she heard, but I know that they had been dead for sometime. As she turned around to see who said that, a fully loaded tractor trailer flew through the intersection full speed. Both her and her daughter would have been reduced to pulp.
There was another story about this guy driving home from work. As he was driving along he heard a voice telling him to go buy milk. He didn't think he needed milk at his house but he went anyway. As he was continuing home, he heard the same voice say turn here. That voice led him to a house and instructed him to take the milk to the house. When he got there, he found a poor single mother who's baby was nearing starvation because she didn't have the money to buy milk and she ran out the day before.
Both of those may very well be pure coincidence, but whenever I hear them I get a feeling like someone is watching over me.

7)How f***ed up would it be if you were walking through your house and a translucent, bearded man said "Hey, I'm God."? It just wouldn't make sense. He makes his presence known in subtle, mysterious ways so that He can make sure that you truly believe in Him, whether He is directly in front of you or not.

I hope I could help and nothing is offensive about sincere questioning

Curry · Jun 24, 2012

Thunder said:
I consider myself a Deist, because I think it is very possible that there is a higher power that started the Universe and keeps it all going...but I don't believe in a anthropomorphised God that speaks to & interacts with human beings.

Very possible meaning "probably"? do you believe there was a creator of the universe because it's possible or because it's likely?

Hughes · Jun 25, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

1.Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?
2.If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?
3.Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?
4.Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.
5.How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?
6.How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?
7.Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

1. God isn't a huge proponent of slavery. What he does is deal with people where they are, and in the context they find themselves in. And slavery in ancient times, often times was similar to our working as a Butler or something. In no situation does God condone doing bad things to hurt people.

2. Testing has nothing to do with God needing knowledge, but everything to do with our needing to grow and learn.

3. Lucifer isn't his son, and will reside in the lake of fire in the end.

4. Many times the context for statements from God is stuck in a historical setting. For example, when one group was killing the Jews, and as judgement God commanded that those doing the killing be killed along with all of their people. Seems unfair in a way unless the whole historical context is understood.
God is the creator of life, and is also the judge. As it says, the Lord gives and the lord takes away.

5. God picked out prophets based on his foreknowledge and their heart. He's God and he knows all. Prophets weren't really special, they were just like anyone else who is following God's plans.

6. Proof of God? Life? Existence? Self awareness? And the vastness and exactness of the Universe all speak volumes to me, that there is a God.

7. God did this already, and it doesn't work. Jesus appeared to many people, but only some believed and followed. As he said, if they don't believe the prophets, then they won't believe someone who came back from the dead.
In essence, the answer to your question rests on the motivation for God creating us in the first place. Why create us? The answer is to share his love in relationship which is based on freedom. If God simply appeared and manipulated each person and situation, what sort of people would he have following him? Robots.

Smeagol · Jun 25, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?

The Bible does not IMHO indicate God is a proponent of slavery. There are things in the Bible that God 'permitted' but there were not his idea. One such example in a different area is Matthew 19:8. Secondly, in the New Testament the Bible encourages slaves to seek legally their freedom if opportunity affords. Lastly, there is an understandable tendency to in the modern era to define slavery in ancient times by the horrific experience of African slaves and possibly today's sex trafficking industry. Even within this less than perfect arrangement in consideration of the less than perfect world we temporarily live in, there are Biblical admonitions to treat slaves with dignity, compassion and fairness. Violating those rules could result in the instant emancipation of the slave and the biggest difference is because of the year of Jubilee slaves were guaranteed to be free within their lifetime unless they voluntarily chose to continue being a slave because their master was so great to work for. It was a different culture then but slavery in Biblical days were actually more similar to the employee/employer relationship with the added component of not being able to quit. That is nothing like the what happened in America. In fact, in Bible days you could not legally just kidnap someone and make them a slave, which is how African slaves got here. That was a death penalty offense in the Bible. POWs and people who are financially bankrupt to pay off their debts are how people became slaves in the Bible, and again will be emancipated in their lifetime then fully assimilated into society as equals.

If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?

Good question. God set up his creation to operate in a very 'legal' way. The short answer is I don't think he tests us or allows us to be tested (however you want to describe it) to satisfy his own curiosity but to justify to all of creation whatever reward of punishment is handed out.

He is also inadvertently help us set in motion the practice of spiritual laws that will benefit us that the test requires.

Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?

First of all, I wouldn't describe Lucifer as his son. Secondly, He has a plan that is not instant. Satan/Lucifer is being and will be dealt with according to that plan. Just like criminals in our society first must be arrested, then charged, then given the right to have a fair trial, then are punished; there is also a procedure God is choosing to follow wrt to the evil realm. I think a big part of this conditioning the redeemed human race to both appreciate and be prepared to handle living in eternity with free wills, knowing all God went through to save us and seeing God's justice played out.

Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.

Another Good question! The false premise is the people commended in the Bible were innocent. God is just and does not condemn innocent people to death. What much of the Old Testament does is define right and wrong. God is the creator so he gets to make the rules, not the created. So he gave us the Ten Commandments to tell us from HIS perspective what are things we shouldn't do. Then surrounding that same part of the Bible are additional details that elaborate on those rules and to show us just how serious he considers them, he lays out the penalties for various infractions. However, in you read the rest of the Bible see examples of people who violated those rules, the majority the time those penalties where never carried out. Again, I think this was not because God is out to zap people for blowing it but to clearly state his standards for wright and wrong; to show us just how serious he considers it, tell us the level of the harshness of the penalty; in the majority of the cases never thusly punish offenders then to be true to his own word, apply the penalty to his Son on the Cross for all of mankind willing to pledge allegiance and faith in him.

How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?

Not sure except everyone is special and he must are crafted them for their unique roles. BTW: Being a prophet is not some esteemed position, so to speak. Lots of persecution.

How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God? Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I think an act of mercy on those who will never repent no matter what. I think the severity of the eternal condemnation is magnified if the people knew the truth and still rejected it. Out of God's mercy, he allows people who will never accept him to at least claim ignorance to alleviate some degree of the severity of their rejection of God.

Smeagol · Jun 25, 2012

Medusa said:
if you still ask these questions ,i can say you are not an atheist yet .)))))))))

but okay you say you may be agnostic.

in my opinion ,you cant get the answer you want through this questions ,because it is enough to feel the god to believe in him.religions are not questionable ,you just need to believe in them without looking for any logic.

I'm not sure if I agree with that. The Apostle Thomas believed Jesus had risen from the dead only AFTER he was allowed to examine Jesus' crucifixion wounds. Jesus did say those who believed without proof were more blessed. In my personal experience God used numerous Old Testament prophecies to solidify my faith, causing me to logically conclude the statistical probability of hundreds of predictions in some cases extremely specific all pointing to Jesus hundreds and in some cases thousands of years in advance was impossible to simply be coincidence. I think its a combination of some logic and some blind trust that the one who loved you enough to give his life for you is telling you the truth.

Binary_Digit · Jun 25, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?
If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?
Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?
Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.
How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?
How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?
Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

IMHO: Man has put a lot of words in God's mouth that he never actually said, and the Bible is one of the most prominent examples of that.

Surtr · Jun 25, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

I'll just start by saying my views are very unconventional. I speak for what I believe, not for traditional Christianity.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?

It would be pretty difficult to start a real base of followers by lashing out against what, at one time, was the primary means of industry and economy.

If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?

This is a gross oversimplification of a very complex function that varies greatly from each individual case to the other.

Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?

Why should he? Despite their banishment, the Fallen still serve God in one way or another. Neither Lucifer, nor Satan are God's "adversaries", because they are of no threat to Him. I don't believe he would wish to destroy them, either, since I don't see it being so far-fetched that the compassion he showed man numerous times was also granted towards them.

Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.

Why do so many presume that these orders are coming from God, and not man? What's written in an ancient book by ancient men with vested interests isn't necessarily what happened.

How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?

The same way a ruler chooses another to be a messenger or a delegate. Some are simply more qualified than others.

How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?

Depends on what you interpret as proof. I see it every day, you just see it differently.

Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I don't know, you'd have to ask Him.

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

Not at all

lizzie · Jun 25, 2012

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?

Because the culture of the time practiced slavery as a common occurence. The group of people that the old testament is primarily based on, were a slave class of the period.

If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?

I don't believe that "God" test us, but we test ourselves, and life is not about having things easy, but rather builds character from hardship.

Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?
For the same reason you and I wouldn't destroy our own sons.

Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.
God doesn't demand anything, except in that some people think it does.

How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?
Prophets aren't "picked"- they just happen.

How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?
Some do, some don't. It all depends on your perceptions and your belief system.

Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?
It is something that is apparent to some. Imo, God isn't physical, so I wouldn't expect it to make a grand entry.

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

No offense here.

wolv67 · Jun 26, 2012

Theism isn't predicated on the Bible or any other holy text, so why do your questions derive from that one old ass book? You can reject it partially (difficult to reconcile though) or entirely and still be a theist. Like you acknowledge the contradiction between the biblical deity committing mass genocide and helping people do so, and his commandment to...not do so. I think you should accept, since you're already leaning that way, that the OT deity has mood swings that make teenagers seem stoic, and move on toward pondering the existence of a deity that has nothing to do with that.

The one question you pose that seems separate from religion is why doesn't some deity appear and cast aside any doubt as to his existence? The parsimonious answer is he just doesn't exist. Maybe he has strep throat. I honestly can't think why he wouldn't simply do so, at a time when there's unprecedented skepticism and a planet that could really use some divine guidance.

Sarcogito · Jun 26, 2012

I also find your questions a bit odd coming from an atheist/agnostic. But asking questions is a good thing.

I am an atheist (by the way, atheism and agnosticism are not mutually exclusive) and I just want to point out that there are a LOT more choices than just atheism and Christianity. People who say they are atheists just because they find fault with the Bible have not really thought through their atheism. Finding fault with the Bible is a fine reason for not being a Christian, though.

lizzie · Jun 26, 2012

Sarcogito said:
I also find your questions a bit odd coming from an atheist/agnostic. But asking questions is a good thing.

I suspect it's more of a challenge than actual curiosity, or a quest to actually get input from other posters.

Darrell · Jun 26, 2012

Thanks, I do lean more on the Agnostic side.

Darrell · Jun 26, 2012

Sorry, I could have came up with diffrent ones.

Paleocon · May 8, 2014

Darrell said:
I am a Atheist, but I lean more on the Agnostic side, so I believe there my be a possibility that there may be a God. I have some questions about the existence of a God and I was wondering if you could help me answer them.

Why is God such a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible?
If God is all knowing, why does he feel a need to test us?
Since God is all knowing and powerful, how come he can't destroy his son, Lucifer?
Why does God demand the death of so many innocent people in the Bible? He says, we shouldn't kill another man/women.
How do you explain the reason for why God decdes to pick out people to be his prophets? What makes them special?
How come we never ever seen any proof of any kind of God?
Why rely only on faith? If he really wants people to believe, why doesn't he just appear?

I hope I didn't offend or sound to critical to anybody.

He isn't actually. The Mosaic law severely restricted slavery.
It would be unjust for him to give us our due based on things we hadn't actually done.
God will not annihilate any spiritual being, since such would destroy their free will.
No one is innocent in the eyes of God.
He has his reasons. We do not know enough to know why them.
There is proof of God.

I have some questions.

Darrell

Active member

Medusa

CriticalThought

Thunder

TheLastIndependent

Curry

New member

Hughes

Member

Smeagol

Smeagol

Binary_Digit

Surtr

lizzie

wolv67

Active member

Sarcogito

lizzie

Darrell

Active member

Darrell

Active member

Paleocon