How do I deal with the belief that maybe... Just maybe... God exists and I'm...

[Fake Messiah]

Likewise it's frustrating to see people find an episode in the Bible, interpret it in a way that makes it seem silly, and then pass judgment on that interpretation. It's their own thoughts they are interpreting. The episode in the Bible, as art, resists final interpretation and logical resolution. Which (Blake says) proves it's true.

So Mohammed being tortured in Hell is true interpretation of Bible because William Blake painted it. That's certainly frustrating to Muslims if not very bigoted. How awful.



Blake’s watercolor by William Blake show the eternal fate of the Prophet Muhammad and his companion Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law. Muhammad and Ali are nearly cut in half, only to be restored and forced to endure this bodily torment over and over again.

[LinuxGal]

The historical evidence is that the Jesus of history is not the Christ of faith that people believe in.

So what? The colors of lines on a road map do not match the actual greys of asphalt and concrete. Are you saying no one should "believe in" maps because they do not look like satellite photos?

If your reason for not trusting Scripture is because it does not satify modern expectations for bios and science text books...then you truly misunderstand the purpose of Scripture, which is to glorify God and guide us in our relationship with Him. To that end, Scripture is true and useful. But if you are the kind of person who gets all hung up on a talking snake then you probably are not interested in the spirtual significance of what you are reading anyway.

I was willing to give scripture a pass for having a talking snake, but I kept reading, got to the book of Numbers, and ran across a talking donkey.

[HankMoody316]

So what? The colors of lines on a road map do not match the actual greys of asphalt and concrete. Are you saying no one should "believe in" maps because they do not look like satellite photos?

If your reason for not trusting Scripture is because it does not satify modern expectations for bios and science text books...then you truly misunderstand the purpose of Scripture, which is to glorify God and guide us in our relationship with Him. To that end, Scripture is true and useful. But if you are the kind of person who gets all hung up on a talking snake then you probably are not interested in the spirtual significance of what you are reading anyway.

I was willing to give scripture a pass for having a talking snake, but I kept reading, got to the book of Numbers, and ran across a talking donkey.

Unless I'm mistaken, wasn't Balaam's donkey a metaphor/parable?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I was willing to give scripture a pass for having a talking snake, but I kept reading, got to the book of Numbers, and ran across a talking donkey.

Unless I'm mistaken, wasn't Balaam's donkey a metaphor/parable?

You are mistaken. Balsam’s ass was an actual, physical equine. Numbers 22:22-30.

Boru

[Gwaithmir]

Book of Numbers (KJV)
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now [Balaam] was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. 

[Ahriman]

Book of Numbers (KJV)
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now [Balaam] was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. 

So what's the moral of that story?

[Angrboda]

Book of Numbers (KJV)
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now [Balaam] was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. 

So what's the moral of that story?

That people in the bible were stupid. A talking ass is worth its weight in gold!

[Ahriman]

So what's the moral of that story?

That people in the bible were stupid.  A talking ass is worth its weight in gold!

Shrek had a talking donkey. I guess that's pretty ass-inine.

[arewethereyet]

I don't think we have enough ass-smoting here on the forum.

[Manfredo Real]

Just maybe... God exists and I'm going to hell?

I'm convinced he doesn't exist but I was wondering what you all have to say about this weird guilt of mine of thinking that maybe, just maybe, God exists and I'll end up in hell when I die.

I ask honestly because I wanna get rid of these superstitious bullshit in my brain.

Just maybe one does. But it only begs the question. would it be the type that interacts with its subjects, or is an impersonal deity.  If its the judeo-christian god, he'd know what you believe no matter what you say. And if it's not that god, you may go to the hell of different god, which puts christians in the same position. Just remember, it's PEOPLE who put these ideas in your head, not the god they claim. Let me give you a quote from Thomas Jefferson. 
"...Question with boldness even the existence of a god, because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."