Theists - I want to know what you think

[Drich]

I’ve spent some time thinking about what you guys have expressed in the theist-only debate thread, and it occurred to me that I spend most of my time here at AF considering my own reasons for lacking god-belief, but I’ve never closely considered what you guys think about the lack of god-belief.  In doing so, I realized I have genuine questions.  So, for once, I’m going to shut up about what I think, and listen to what you all think about what I think.  This is not meant to be a debate thread (though I’m sure it will inevitably evolve in that direction, which is fine), and I have no intention or desire to deride anyone’s answers, so long as they answer honestly and respectfully.

1. Do you think lacking a belief in god is rational?  Why, or why not?

yes
There is a way in the bible to vet the existance of God. if yoou follow this path honestly. God PROMISED to show up.

2. Do you believe atheists who say they don’t believe because of lack of evidence?

I believe they have been taught to look for God where God said He will never be found.

If so, do you think that is a rational reason to not believe in god?

No. If God is who He says He is then He can onlly be found where He Himself Said to look for Him. To look anywhere else is foolishness

3. Do you think rational skepticism is the correct perspective to be coming from when considering god-belief?

why not? 

4. Do you think an atheist and/or rational skeptic can reason their way to belief in god?  

No as God by nature is counter intuitive. God is the oppsite of man and oppsite of what man wants. So then why assume Man will stumble onto God?

5. Do you think an atheist and/or rational skeptic could be convinced by reasons, or do you think God would have to intervene in some way?

God said only He can provide the 'evidence needed.' The reason it is withheld is because the person looking demands God provide what they want in the way they want it. When most times God does things on his own accord and expects you to meet Him not Him serve you and what you want to see.

6. Why do you think so many atheists were once theists?

The theist had a corrupt version of God. Once so bad so far off God refused to work with it. Jesus explains this in the parablle of the wise and foolish builder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu5bBDRpzPM

The Rock is Jesus/The understanding of God the house are your works/deeds/Christian Faith. Now if you build your house/faith and understanding on Christ WHEN God sends the wind and rain your house/faith will remain as you will see God helping you through the trial no matter the outcome. Now when your idea of God is so corrupt When God sends the winds and rains, the God of the biblle will not be there to support the god of your church or the god of your fathers. As you idea of God was built on the sand.

 Is it realistic to think a person could re-believe in god after deciding they could no longer believe due to lack of evidence?  Why or why not?

Not without evidence/God showing upp as He promises to do for each of us. Think doubting thomas. Did Jesus say F-him for doubting? or did He show up and let Thomas finger his wounds? God gave Thomas exactly what he needed. So too does He promise to give us what we need.

As far as giving up and retrying... It really depends on whether or not you think you got the absolute "rock" version of god out the gate.. I can tell you if your god was not a bible only/no doctrine God, then probably god a religious version of Him. close but often times built on sand which when tested falls flat. 

7.  Some of you had mentioned ‘sowing the seed’ as a reason to be here at AF.  If you were going to explain to an atheist what the best reason is to believe in god, what would it be?  I’m not trying to set up a ‘burden of proof’ trap.  I just want to know what you think would be, or should be the most convincing to an atheist and/or rational skeptic.

sowing seed it simply representing the truth, and allowing the truth too take root on it's own
, and allowing God to make/allow that seed to grow. Our task is to simply represent the truth, we have no power aside examples of our own walk/life to share. over time God will start opening doors in your life. Maybe at first you might want to attribute things to chance, but over time there is just no wy to have so much needed simply given, and in way not hear of/seemingly possible

That is God fostering the root to grow.