(July 2, 2018 at 12:04 pm)robvalue Wrote: I'll clarify my earlier question for any other theists that might want to take a stab at it.
Does God actually grant benefits to people of several religions, or just one religion? I don't care what people from all the religions claim is happening, I'm talking about what is actually happening.
Scenario 1: God just grants benefits (of whatever type) to the one "correct" religion
Conclusion: People in all the other religions who claim to get benefits from God are imagining it. So it's then perfectly possible to be fully convinced God is benefiting you, when in fact you're just attributing significance to events to fit your narrative.
Scenario 2: God (really does) grant benefits to multiple religions
Conclusion: God doesn't seem to care very much about being in the right religion, and will even grant boons for being in the wrong one. This seems to me to indicate that either several religions are acceptable to God, or else he is willing to trick those in the "wrong" ones to continue by means of rewards. How exactly can you tell whether you're being rewarded for being in the right one or the wrong one?
Scenario 3: God isn't granting benefits to anyone, because he either doesn't exist, is incapable, or chooses not to
Conclusion: All religious theists are imagining the benefits and attributing significance to fit their narratives.
Scenario 4: Everything previously stated is crap. Because after Jesus died on the cross 'religion' was no longer needed. Meaning we are so free from religion we can still use to elect religion if we need the training wheels.. However at some point religion becomes a trap. and takes the worshiper from God. (has the worshiper worship the methods of worship rather than God.) Rather than that God seeks a personal relationship with individuals not thought priests or religions. If you truly seek you will find the God of the bible. Once you do the flood gates of grace, and 'benefits' will be opened.
Conclusion: God hates religion, but at the same time will not reward those who simply make up their own version of God and choose to worship as the God of the bible. The God of the bible demands you meet Him on His terms first, and then will help you personally fill in the blanks. This is not an easy path or course to plot, as God uses trial and fire to forge or shape his followers. hardship will be par for the course as Hardship tend to put one in a place of honesty (well after you hit bottom) it is in that moment of honest that God can finally work with you, as your preconceived ideas can then be put aside.
