Divine Inspiration

[Drich]

If they weren't really slaves, then why did god send terrible plagues in order to free them?

Because appearently pharroh got confused.

It annoys me when some people can't handle not having a big brother watching thm, so they assume that everyone else is like that. On the contrary, god will forgive you for almost anything if you just ask, whereas atheists can't find closure so easily. The short film (posted somewhere on this forum) called "Jesus: Madman or Worse" brings up the fact that being forgiven by god can serve as a replacement to forgiveness from the person you actualy wronged. If you didn't wrong anyone, then there is no need to ask for forgiveness (though many things that hurt no one are still called 'sins')

I don't really watch those films for this very reason: The person who made that film does not have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of Christianity. in that we are not to worship God untill we resolve issues (or atleast do everything we can to resolve an issue.) However the video guy will not be able to defend what he has said.

I believe that this discussion has already been had earlier (maybe not on this thread). The general conclusion was that 20+ years of religion, and training + a desire to be a pastor weren't worth a mustard seed of faith.

I don't remember this conversation, but the desire to pastor can be selfish in orgin. If one apporaches God for the purpose gain then nothing will be assured. Meaning no one can say God will show up and make the effort needed to break a man of his orginal intentions.

Well, if god already knows who will 'choose' him, then are you saying that god refuses to reveal himself to people who wouldn't follow anyway?

Yes

Then what about all of the theistic satanists?

I give up what does it say about theistic satanists?

By your first sentence, you suggest that god could simply save those who would be faithful if they believed. Perhaps I interpreted you wrong, but it would make the most sense to do it that way, if he won't reveal himself to everyone.

God reveals himself to those who A/S/K, and can save anyone from their disbelief IF the so choose to be saved. The thing is not everyone who goes through the motions of A/S/K chooses to be saved.

Here's the problem: you assume that god must exist. If someone takes a more neutral stance and A/S/Ks for 20 years and finds nothing, then why is it unreasonable to assume that god does not exist?

truthfully it would depend on the actual effort and the condition of the man's heart. If the effort matches what is outlined in Luke 11 then God promises to show up. However if the man does his own version of A/S/K then nothing is bound to happen, and at that point can assume anything he likes. Because after 20 years He does not yeild himself to the calling and the promise offered God might as well be non-existant as far as he is concerned.

Those who are desperate to believe will see what they want to, the unbiased will end up not believeing.

indeed. do you assume all who are looking for God are desperate to find Him?

How valid is a dream as a sign from god? How about this:http://atheistforums.org/thread-12234.ht...+in+heaven
I believe these 'experiences' are for the dreamer/see-er. That said the boy's experience is no more valid than my own to anyone who did not experience what he did.
for so much is lost in trying to explain what actually takes place that the core of the experience looses all real value to anyone who does not experience these things for themselves. The only reason i share what i do is because i know there is nothing special about me and if any of you wish to see or experience what i have then all any of you must do is earnestly ask, seek, and Knock as I did and God WILL Show up.

Just be ready for your life to be turned on it's ear. For once something like that happens everything will need to change. Not because 'church' says so. Because you will want to change.

Exactly, it is no less unbelieveable than anything else in the bible. I know that the story isn't about the logistics, but if the logistics fail, then the story is only a metaphor. The story never said that god gave any aid to Noah other than advance warning, so while the flood was an act of god, the ark and animal collecting were not.

Read the story again. God provided everything (including the animals)

Oh, and about evolution. It cancels creation because it implies a common ancestor, whereas creation says god made many different animals at the same time in their fully evolved (as to 3000 years ago)forms. (You can ignore this last part if you really want to...)

i guess you did not read the whole thread. well somewhere in the middle of that one I was given a chance to tell you all what i thought this link is to the CF version of the same story.
http://www.christianforums.com/t7643307/