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10 Questions for Christians

10-questions-for-christians

Understanding

As an Atheist married to a Christian I often have moments of thought where I wonder what you Christians are thinking. I'm fortunate to have a good husband who doesn't mind my constant questions that many Christians would be offended by. However I often wonder if his answers are the common answers among Christians. I truly do not understand how people believe in a God. Understanding isn't a requirement, but it does make living with a Christian easier. Even more than that, if the majority of my local population believes something, it would be nice to some how figure out what is going on in their minds. Atheist often say the belief in a God is like believing in Santa. Some Christians are offended by the comparison, but it strikes close to reality. Christians believe in something they can not see, hear, nor physically feel. It's all about belief and faith. I would love to understand how so many have faith in something they can not do any of those things with.

10-questions-for-christians

Questions

  1. Why can't God control everything? If he can create an entire world, I don't understand why he can't control it. Could he not make a way to help us or control certain things with out some how messing up all our other freedoms? So can he even control himself?
  2. If God is our father why does he allow "free will" to harm his children? Many people are born into horrible lives before they ever have a chance to make their own decisions. These children are abused or neglected and God does nothing. I understand letting adults be effected by "free will" but I do not understand why God doesn't step in when it comes to children. Should all children not be given the opportunity to start out life with positives?
  3. How can God be loving if he allows number 2? If I allow someone to rape or beat my child I am a horrible person and must not love my child. However if God allows it to happen he is somehow loving?!?! Wouldn't he have provided himself a foolproof way of loving us without some how ruining something else if he was truly loving?
  4. The explanation offered by many Christians for child abuse and other bad things is that somehow God is teaching us something or that it is God's plan to make us into a good person. My question here is there has to be a better way to teach a child right? If my child needs to learn manners I don't beat it into him. Why not find a nicer approach to life lessons?
  5. How do you believe in something that there is no evidence it even exists?The thing I hear Christians saying is that "We can't see air but we know it's there". True, but it has also been proven the to be there and proven to be the thing that keeps us alive. All "Miracles" can be explained with rational thoughts. So how do you justify belief in something that has never been shown to even be real?
  6. How do you explain the multiple impossible things in the bible? I mean everyone knows it is impossible for a dead person to come back to life. Have you ever witnessed a walking dead person? How is Jesus any different than any other story about zombies?
  7. Why do you think your God is the only right one? As an atheist I struggle with this one. If I am wrong and there is a God, How do we know if there is just one God, multiple Gods, which one is the right one? I mean there have been Gods of sorts since pretty much forever. How do Christians justify the fact they pick this one God to worship?
  8. Natural disasters are another thing. Do you think this is God's way of controlling the planet's population or just another thing God chooses to do to his people out of spite? I mean killing thousands of people in a tsunami just doesn't sound like something a loving being would do.
  9. Birth Defects and Child illness. This is one I struggle with very much. With all the children that are born with defects or end up with childhood cancer how do you fit that in with your faith in God? Seems to me that this is something that many say is used to make stronger people. Losing a child builds something in a person so that they can help another parent facing the same problem. But let's be real, if it never happened to begin with then no one would need to be stronger in that way. Why not just keep it from happening?
  10. This is my last one because this is the one that I personally have fought with. At the end of the day religion is simply faith with no answers. There is no questioning God. Things happen in his time and way and we are to simply believe and worship. How do you worship someone that lets all of the above happen? How do Christians find faith in God when their child dies, their husband is hit by a drunk driver, their wife has breast cancer? I just don't understand how anyone would choose to love, worship, and believe in something that allows all of this pain and sadness with no explanation. I look at a disabled child and I can't see a real God allowing that to happen and if he did I can't see wanting to worship him.
10-questions-for-christians

End of the Day

At the end of the day I just don't understand the "all powerful, create everything" God allowing all the negative of the world. We create a lot of that negative and if there really was a God he would protect our world. I have no wish to change Christians or down you for your beliefs, but I will never understand them even though I do my best to. Answering my questions with parts of the bible also make it hard for me to believe, because the bible is a book written by men. Can someone just explain to me why the Christian God supposedly sent Jesus Christ here, yet here we sit 2000 years later and he has sent no one here for this set of people?!? It would seem that times are considerably different now and it would make sense to send some "proof" for us.

UPDATE

When I wrote this hub article I was at a moment in my life where I needed to get out things that had weighed heavy on me for a while. Where I am from Christianity is almost the only religion, people are in your face about it, you can't avoid it, and quite honestly I was tired of people in some groups I was part of who constantly said things like "God has a plan for you" and "God has reasons beyond what we see"

It is out of my system now, and while I will always wonder how people manage to believe these things I am to a point of peace where I can just ignore the comments made. Please understand I don't mean to sound rude when I say this but I really don't care what anyone chooses to believe, so long as they don't expect me to.

With that said, if you have any insight to any of the questions I would still like to hear it. I appreciate a different view than my own sometimes!

10-questions-for-christians

Comments

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on October 24, 2015:

I haven't checked in on this hub in quite a while. I must admit I simply don't have the energy most days to be able to debate as well as I once could. However I have to admit there are these early mornings, after taking my meds, when I have a bit of an energy spike and come to these types of hubs to see what has been said.

I appreciate what any well intended person posts, just want to make sure that is heard before I write my next sentence.

"First there has to be a reasonable explanation for everything we see and know exists and the Big Bang theory falls woefully short of that explanation." Tony I feel this exact same way, except replace the words Big Bang Theory with the word God. You say you see the evidence everywhere. I see the evidence of a lack of supernatural being/god everywhere. You say the good in the world is evidence in the good in the world, but what about ALLLLLLL the bad? If you can credit your god with the good, can you also credit him with the bad? I simply don't understand how anyone chooses to believe the nice parts are proof of a god, but then blame people for the bad.

Again, I do appreciate the attempt, I just don't understand.

jonnycomelately on August 24, 2015:

In a public forum, how do you imagine you can speak to one person, and one alone?

I do not need anyone's permission to join in the conversation. I certainly give great respect to Peeples, because I have watched her communicate here in the forums numerous times. I also have great respect for her questions. They deserve a respectful response. Trying to evangelize is not a respectful response in my view. But then I am just a simple a-theist person and way inferior to anyone who claims to have a relationship with God.

Good night to you Sir.

Tony Daniels from Toledo, Ohio on August 24, 2015:

Scroll to Continue

Whether I addressed Peeples questions or not is none of your business sir. That is for her to decide as I was talking to her and her alone. If you do not understand the basic precepts of conversation let me help you. Just because you are within earshot or view of what someone said to another person does not give you permission to join in the conversation. The very first word of my comment (Peeples) clearly identifies who I was addressing. I do not care to know nor need to know your feelings about my comments to her. So again Good Day sir.

jonnycomelately on August 24, 2015:

Peeples said, in her Hub: "..... I truly do not understand how people believe in a God. Understanding isn't a requirement, but it does make living with a Christian easier."

TonyDan, my comment most certainly was not sarcastic. My comment is an attempt to help understand why people might believe in God. Thus I claim it is responding to Peeples' questions.

Tony, your comments have not really confronted and responded freely to all those questions which Peeples has asked. All you have done is don your minister's cap and try to convince her that she should become a christian. I cannot speak for Peeples, but would suppose that is not what she is asking for.

If you cannot step outside of your role as a christian minister, then perhaps you cannot offer anything new for Peeples to consider.... at least not anything very helpful, because have you not considered she has already address the points you have raised?

When you counsel any of your parishioners, is the christian message the only way you can address their life difficulties? Are you not able to broaden your mind; try see the person's needs from their point of view, not yours?

I am not for one moment trying or wishing to change your christian faith from what it is now. That is purely your business, none of mine.

But the narrow view of life is hardly going to help join us in mutual understanding.

Retrieving something from the God Pigeon Hole occasionally can be enlightening.

At least, that's my honest view.

Tony Daniels from Toledo, Ohio on August 23, 2015:

Jonnycomeltely since I was responding to the questions posed by the author of this Hub I will not respond to your remark which appears to be an attempt to either start a debate or get in a sarcastic jab at what I addressed to another individual. So good day sir. Peeples I hope my comments shed some light on your dilemma.

jonnycomelately on August 23, 2015:

When "God" is the pigeon hole for everything that is beyond your comprehension, that is a huge convenience.

Each to their own pigeon hole.

Jay C OBrien from Houston, TX USA on August 23, 2015:

You had a very good question:

2. If God is our father why does he allow "free will" to harm his children? Many people are born into horrible lives before they ever have a chance to make their own decisions. These children are abused or neglected and God does nothing. I understand letting adults be effected by "free will" but I do not understand why God doesn't step in when it comes to children. Should all children not be given the opportunity to start out life with positives?

I have lived through and seen many examples of this problem. There are three theories.

1. Atheism, life without an afterlife, which provides no explanation for child abuse/neglect.

2. A single life with an afterlife, (mainline Christianity) which provides no explanation for child abuse and

3. Multiple lives with reincarnation and Karma. Reincarnation at lease provides a framework for your answer. People Chose to be born among those who would abuse them for several reasons, some karmic and some not. Perhaps the child chose to teach the parent a lesson on love and faith.

Tony Daniels from Toledo, Ohio on August 23, 2015:

Peeples, reading your question today and finding out you were an atheist led me to look at your profile out of curiosity and see this hub. Let me start by saying your questions have legitimate merit. As a Christian and a minister I will be the first to tell you no one has all the answers to your questions or any questions that anyone may have about Christianity or belief in God. And in all honesty your description of yourself sounds more like an agnostic than an atheist because you seem to be willing to believe there is a God if it can be proven to you. In no way can a Hub comment section provide the information you may need in your quest but I will add my two cents for what it is worth. First there has to be a reasonable explanation for everything we see and know exists and the Big Bang theory falls woefully short of that explanation. To say there was nothing then nothing exploded and became something takes more faith to believe in than believing in God. Even though we cannot see God per se we can see evidence of him. The good that is in the world is evidence of God. The beauty that is in the world is evidence of God. Nothing just happens. Science tells us for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and we all know every action must be initiated by something or someone. Everything has an origin. Nothing just pops into existence. Everything on this planet that was not part of the planet was created by someone on the planet. So where did the planet come from? Could it be someone created it too? There are too many things in this world that are not explained by rational thought. How does an airplane crash kill everyone on board except an infant? There is no rational explanation for that. Could it be a supernatural force that we can't see covered it? People believe in ghosts but don't believe in God. Why? People believe in planets and solar systems that they themselves have never seen but are willing to believe others who claim to have seen them. Why? Why is it so easy for people to believe in other things that they have not seen but not in God? Maybe because belief in those things will not cause them to have to change their way of living. There is good and bad in this world but do they both come from the same source? Rain comes from the clouds and light from the sun but if a person didn't look up they might think they both come from the same place since they both come from above. I will admit the world can be a confusing place but there are some obvious explanations for the things that happen if we look deep enough. belief in God requires a person to go beyond their realm of existence into a place that is out of reach of their five senses but there are things that happen in this world that require us to do the same thing. There are things that happen that we simply have to admit are beyond our comprehension. God just happens to be one of those things.

peachy from Home Sweet Home on April 23, 2015:

well, i believe you have a lot of answer from the comments I read, I am a catholic, I don't have all the answers either, just believe

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on January 04, 2015:

@ahorseback

Can i ask you what you mean by christianity is a leap of faith?

Jay C OBrien from Houston, TX USA on January 03, 2015:

Try studying Telepathy or ESP instead of "religion." I have had several Verified telepathic experiences in my teens. Also research the reading of Edgar Cayce.

jonnycomelately on January 03, 2015:

@ahorseback, yes, I agree with what you say there, and maybe I do come over as hypocritical and intolerant of others.

But all the time I suspect that a religious opinion treats my non-belief as inferior; any time there is a statement that my way of life is somehow "evil" or "sinful" and to be forbidden because of some interpretation of that book of ancient scriptures; at those times I will always put my word in to say Stop! I will not Stoop to those religiously extremist demands.

I respect that "leap of faith," if the person taking it respects my position as equally valid.

ahorseback on January 03, 2015:

I really believe that some peoples closed minds will not allow them to keep an open mind enough to accept SOMEONE ELSE"S leap of faith . Because Christianity is quite simply that , if your mind and soul is of a test tube mentality , so be it , if your needs are for forensic proof , so be it . If you've got a CSI mind , the faith based religion may never be yours . Yet you have to allow others to have faith to believe , if you can't then you are simply hypocritical towards others .

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on January 02, 2015:

Jonnycomelately

Thanks for your kind words.

I think that i know what you're talking about when you say "controlling people" and especially in a lot of religion and I support that view.

I would never judge anyone because that's beyond my capabilities and as Jesus said "he that has not sinned, let him cast the first stone.

I do think there is a certain stAndard that people need to comply with to be moral beings, and I believe that moral standard can be found in the bible.

God is the ultimate judge, never think that he wants to judge though because he didn't create humans with wicked traits we got there on our own

jonnycomelately on January 02, 2015:

No, I don't argue that question of "proof of a creative god," for want of a better term.

I have always held out the possibility of some kind of force or influence outside of our own dimension of existence. In the same way that a beautifully crafted table-top cannot have any consciousness of the carpenter who made it.... two different planes of existence.

Similarly, an ant apparently does not have any idea of your's and my existence. There is a distinct difference of dimension and circumstances of life itself.

What I do reject, totally, is any human idea put out there about a judgmental god, that sits somewhere upon high, looking down upon you and me, ready to judge and punish for eternity.

That is utter rubbish, concocted by all manner of humans solely for the purpose of controlling others.

If you, as a "believer" are one of those budding controllers, then you and I are at opposite ends of the football pitch.

Of course I respect you for for whatever you wish to believe.... but your beliefs are just that... not fact, not proven, not substantiated beyond the workings of your mind.

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on January 02, 2015:

Hello!

You haven't offended me :)

it is a well established theological fact that the word 'day' in the bible refers to an extended period of time.

You don't seem to be able to grasp the fact that the big bang theory and 'in the beginning' can be easily used together. Science doesn't explain how anything came about, all it does is explain whats already here.

Why do you think that the god of eternity was in such a rush to create our world and everything in it?

@jonnycomelately i'm already a firm believer in the god of the bible, jehovah. what you said isn't true about there is no scientific proof for what we believe, there is plenty of scientific proof but also an absolutely vast archive of historical proof too. The funny thing is that people use the same things for proof of their own interpretation of the evidence, for example i would say that the universe an everything in it is proof of a god but you would say vice versa.

jonnycomelately on January 01, 2015:

@Hello, when you come to this subject with the presumption that your beliefs in "God" and all your interpretations from the bible are sound, and believable, then there can be no scientific reasoning, because all you are doing is basing every one of your points of view upon those beliefs.

That's fair enough, you have come to those conclusions of your own free will. However, you can arrive at no "scientific proof." You can interpret to your satisfaction, to the point you feel it confirms your beliefs.... but you cannot "prove" any of it to others.

Please tell what is your motivation when speaking to Dannytaylor02? Is it simply a sharing of your views? Or is it an attempt to convert Danny into a believer like your self?

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on January 01, 2015:

Hello!

I think you need to look at the Big Bang theory, it talks exactly about a beginning of the universe just like in the bible so believing in the bible and the Big Bang theory is not only acceptable but very advisable:)

As far as you're other comments go I think you are just arguing on a silly premise. I will accept that the carbon dating isn't fully accurate, I also don't think that humans came from apes and that we have only been around since Adam.

I will not go into a young earth debate with you because you are so wrong if you think that, from a biblical, scientific and a common sense point of view and you're really discrediting the term "creationist" by arguing for it

Hello! on January 01, 2015:

Happy New Years to everyone! :D

Dannytaylor02 -

The whole Bible must be true. If one doesn't believe in the Bible and adds man fallible ideas then one is undermining the Word of God. If the beginning isn't true why would the rest be?

Both theories contradict the Bible. For example the Bible says that thorns and thistles appeared because Adams disobedience, so before there wasn't any and it was a perfect creation, Genesis 3:8. Also when Jesus said in Mark 10:6 "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female". From the "beginning of creation", Jesus also believed in a young earth and that humans were created from the beginning.

Also there are scientific problems. All Radiometric Dating Methods have any of these assumptions or a combination of them:

1) how do they know how many parent and daughter atoms were in the beginning or the starting conditions?

2) how do they know there hasn't been contamination throughout the thousands or millions of years?

3) how do they know the decay rate has always been the same in the past? Saying that the decay rate was the same in the past because of today's current rate is circular reasoning.

There's no evidence for any. Just assumptions. I hope this helps.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on January 01, 2015:

Thank you very much Kenneth. Greatly appreciated! Happy New Year!

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on December 31, 2014:

Dear peeples,

On Dec. 31, 2014

"I pray that you and everyone on this hub will have THE BEST new year EVER. Keep up the fantastic writing and know that I am always in your corner and pulling for you."

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on December 31, 2014:

Good :)

jonnycomelately on December 31, 2014:

I agree that one needs to keep an open mind to any suggestion that is put with coherence and good sense.

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on December 31, 2014:

i meant to say that karl marxs idea is great in theory and revolutionary for its time, but it's not the full story

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on December 31, 2014:

Karl marx had his anger directed at the wrong people, the middle classes (bourgeoisie). What recent history has proven is that it's not the middle classes that take advantage of the working class but its actually a very small number of power crazy people at the very top who own 90% of the wealth on this world.

My point is that yes karl marx's communism is a great idea, just like evolution BUT it certainly isn't the full story and needs to be allowed to be added to, otherwise there is no way we can progress.

To a lot of people jonny neo darwinism is a sacred thing that must not be challenged, if you do then you're an ignorant idiot who believes in a seven day creation...simple. I don't think that attitude is allowing the theory of evolution to, well, evolve do you?

jonnycomelately on December 31, 2014:

But was not Karl Marx's communism simply a very reasonable and rational response/reaction to the c..p imposed upon ordinary people (who were the ones to do all the dirty donkey work on behalf of the "upper classes,") by educated people?

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on December 31, 2014:

Hello!

The theory of evolution and the Big Bang are true to an extent but that doesn't mean that they are in any way inconsistent with the belief in God.

The Big Bang theory is really massive evidence for God, many scientists where opposed to the Big Bang theory because "it gave too much weight to the theory of an omnipotent being".

The theory of evolution is having to change massivey since darwins day as reductionism becomes increasingly less plausible, molecular evolution is non existent because all of the smaller molecules of life are irreducible complex not to mention the mathematical impossibility of life coming about by chance.

Humans sharing 99% of Dna with chimps has been proven irrelevant thanks to alternative splicing which shows us that a dna molecule can act in thousands of different ways depending on which proteins are passing through.

Evolution is true in the sense that living things adapt to their environment, this is by no means random and it has a wisdom built into it called natural selection which "selects" which mutations to keep and which to get rid of.

Guys Karl Marxs communism sounded like a great idea until it was tested out and failed, don't you think the same should be said for bro Darwinian evolution?

Hello! on December 30, 2014:

Peeples - what I mean is that if naturalism was true that we came from natural processes and everything we say is just chemicals reacting in our brains then everything we're saying is not really because we are reasoning but we say what we do because it's a survive value to helps us survive. Sort of like a robot. Also the laws of logic would not exist because they're immaterial, universal, and don't change within time. I forgot to explain that the laws of logic are laws like the law of non-contradiction. If it didn't exist we would be contradicting and it would be impossible to reason with other people.

Jonnycomelately - of course I'm a servant. A servant of God. I'm just trying to show that the God of the Bible does exist. I really believe that the Christian worldview is defendable. There's evidence for it and arguments for it. I know for certain that what we've been taught in school is not true, the theory of evolution and Big Bang. I believe that I've given very good arguments. I can show you that Radiometric dating methods aren't reliable and many other things too even though I don't know everything I can try to answer some.

Daniel Nathan Taylor from United Kingdom, Liverpool on December 30, 2014:

Guys the bible speaks very highly of animals. God even describes his own qualities as that of animals, for example his foresight is like that of an eagle. In Romans Paul says that gods qualities canbe clearly seen from his creations. Animals have an in built wisdom that we can't even begin to match but we also a wisdom that they could never have too. Humans are the only proof that a god might not exist because we don't follow a logical pattern like the animal kingdom and the biosphere.

Mollie on December 29, 2014:

I am a Christian. I just wanted to say was Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan and brought sin into the world. So the reason people do bad things is because we have free will. Our God gives us free will. God has a plan. I believe because I have faith. There is so much proof. There is examples in the Bible. But if you want a more modern book read No Longer a Slumdog by K.P. Yohannan. There is so much proof of how people pray for the impossible to happen and the impossible happens because of their prayer to God.

God Bless You

jonnycomelately on December 29, 2014:

Hello, if you believe that your God made this world, when are you going to see "His" world as an integrated, beautiful, functional, awesome creation? When are you going to do everything possible, in your own life, to protect and nurture it?

Don't you think every bit of your life needs looking at, and honing to perfection, before you run out of time and before the world dies because of your negligence? You are not the Lord and Master. You are the servant, the animals are equally part of the scene. As an animal, you and I fit in. We need to see this clearly, as equals.

Open your eyes and your "I" to find the answers.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on December 29, 2014:

"Sorry animals can't think." Seriously?!? Apes, Monkeys, Dolphins, dogs? No thought at all?

Hello! on December 29, 2014:

Sorry animals can't think.

Hello! on December 28, 2014:

If naturalism is true what's bad about looking down on animals? If we're animals who cares. If it's for survival why should we care for them? If naturalism is true what's good or bad? Everybody would be doing what they want to do in their own eyes. Why don't we take wolves to jail they supposedly murder when kill their prey or what about lions? Or is that good? God created animals for our benefit to care for them and some so we can eat but in the beginning it wasn't like that. Only the God of the Bible can account for morality because he knows everything what's good and bad. He's always true. Also I forgot to mention if all those ancient text are lies what's bad about lying to people if it's beneficial for our survival? I'm just trying to show that God exist although everyone knows that in their heart of heart he does exist. Only the God of the Bible can make sense for everything we see. But if I'm wrong tell me what's wrong.

jonnycomelately on December 28, 2014:

No criticism for you posting here at all, Hello, your comments are welcomed. But one small thing you said really hits the nail on the head:

" Animals can't [think rationally]. If they did they would be like us very smart but are only programmed to survive."

Do you really think it's rational to depend upon ancient texts, written for ancient peoples, in jargon and metaphor that only they would fully understand?

Do look down upon "animals," without seeing your own instinctive actions and reactions reflected in those animals?

Do you put the confused, doctrinaire, religious rubbish preached by some folk as being a sound and optimistic way forward?

Count me right OUT of the biblical perceptions and those of fanatical religion.

Joseph O Polanco on December 21, 2014:

Great list of questions Peeples! Here are my answers:

i. He certainly could if we opted to.

i.b. God certainly does help does who love him without infringing on their free will.

i.c. God certainly does have self-control.

ii. Free will doesn't harm us, we harm ourselves, most of the time, by the bad choices we knowingly make.

ii. b. Children are their parents' responsibility and most of these do not want God interfering in their lives.

iii. See ii.b.

iii.b. See i.b.

iv. You've been lied to. God does not cause anyone any harm. Jehovah God most certainly has found a loving way to instruct us and He does so through the Bible.

v. If exceptional intellect is required to merely duplicate designs and systems present in nature ( Biomimetics ) then much more the original being replicated. Creation is thus proof of an Almighty Creator. To put it another way, I would have to believe that nothing produces everything; non-life produces life; randomness produces fine-tuning; chaos produces information; unconsciousness produces consciousness; and non-reason produces reason. Those leaps of faith are simply too big for me to take, especially in light of the affirmative case for God's existence: http://bit.ly/1197U6R

vi. Not so. There have been many cases of dead people coming back to life: http://abcn.ws/1pfyXx2 http://bit.ly/UvVeey http://abc11.tv/1rPKkg7 http://dailym.ai/1qD2Mv4

vi.b. Nope.

vi.c. Zombies are fiction. Jesus was a real man.

vii. Evidence. There is evidence for the reality of Jehovah God while there is zero evidence for all others.

viii. Neither. Jehovah God is not responsible for any of the many evils that befall man.

ix. These sad events are the result of man's choice to live independent of God: http://bit.ly/11EyvgO

x. I disagree. Faith is not blind. It is "the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1.

Take for instance our sun. It appears revolve around the earth— soaring in the east , rolling through the skies , and afterwards setting in the west . Nevertheless , proof from astronomy together with math makes clear that the earth is

not the center of the solar system . As you got acquainted with that evidence and then accepted it as a reality , you cultivated the faith that the earth revolves around the sun— in spite of what your sight tells you . Your faith is not blind . To the contrary , it provides you with the ability to see and understand things as they undoubtedly are , not simply as they appear to be .

And so , genuine faith is dictated by good reason together with facts , not on mysteries or bewilderment . Precisely what proof , then , are you able to employ to grow your faith in All-Loving God ? Everything you need to know about God and his purposes can be found in the instruction manual he left you - the Bible.

x.b. But there is an explanation and it's a satisfying one. See ix.

This was fun! I hope you've found my answers to at least be thought provoking :)

Jay C OBrien from Houston, TX USA on December 12, 2014:

C.V.Rajan:

"Religion is out and out based on faith. By gaining that faith and by silencing the urge to seek logical answer for everything, if your life is going to become more peaceful, balanced, a lot more meaningful, a lot more reassuring, then there is really wrong to resort to some faith."

Faith follows proof. I had 5 verified telepathic experiences in my teens. That proves ESP exists and we are some form of energy. Research Silva Ultramind and The Association for Research and Enlightenment for further proof.

Disillusioned from Kerala, India on December 11, 2014:

Actually, your questions require a very earnest and sincere study of religion and a guidance from a true spiritual Guru.

Religion is out and out based on faith. By gaining that faith and by silencing the urge to seek logical answer for everything, if your life is going to become more peaceful, balanced, a lot more meaningful, a lot more reassuring, then there is really wrong to resort to some faith.

If Christianity does not give the right answers (if you so think), go and find out whether a religion like Hinduism offers any convincing answers for you.

Jay C OBrien from Houston, TX USA on August 08, 2014:

Wow, what a hub. I can't even read all the comments. Most of your original questions can be answered with a couple of ideas:

1. Reincarnation and Karma and

2. Projection of our ideas into the situation.

For proof I will refer you to Edgar Cayce and the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE). Edgar Cayce proved ESP exists by giving medical readings at a distance. We are energy, not the material body. A belief in only a material body is Atheism. Belief in a spirit is belief that we will continue to exist as indestructible energy.

Whatever the mind of a soul dwells upon it becomes, for Mind is the Builder. EC.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on July 16, 2014:

In the last few weeks I have given great consideration to deleting this article due to it having the lowest score of all my hugs, dragging my hub score average down, despite having regular traffic and over 300 comments. I truly appreciate those who have followed it and please don't think I do not appreciate the kind words. In the end though I'm pretty sure I was born an atheist, and I will likely die one, one day. Still deciding if it's worth keeping this article up, but before I did anything I at least wanted to say thank you to those of you who provided kind words.

Tammy Barnette on July 16, 2014:

Hi Kenneth, I understand completely. Family drama is the hardest..we love our families so deeply which can cause so much pain. May God Bless you and your family:)

Kenneth Avery on July 16, 2014:

Hello, Tammy,

I wanted you to know that I wasn't starting any drama. I do not do that in real life. I have had enough drama inside my own family to do me a lifetime and I am referring to my late sister who never saw how Good God was to her and all of us.

God bless you, dear friend for your good work.

Al Wordlaw from Chicago on July 16, 2014:

Amen to your last comments tammy, Yes, I compose Christian music and write Christian poetry too. The poetry is here on hp... We want peeples to know that prayers are going up for her and others. I pray that she will start noticing and eventually aknowledge that her blessings are from the Lord. She is blessed to have such a husband :-)

Tammy Barnette on July 16, 2014:

Hi Word...Thank you and yes we must pray without ceasing. This world is a mess!I like that line...Christian music has grown so much these days and brings me so much joy and peace. I have always connected with music. The great poets of my generation guided me through teen angst and largely shaped my world views. It's so nice that today there is Christian music on the radio that rocks! :)

Al Wordlaw from Chicago on July 16, 2014:

Hi tammy, I 2nd your emotion here. We must pray for those who don't understand what having a personal relationship with God is all about. No one should deny Him if they haven't tried Him. I wrote that line in one of my songs.

Tammy Barnette on July 16, 2014:

Peeples, Christians are all different...a personal relationship with God is like a personal relationship with your parents or very close friends who know you and know what makes you tick but of course even more close because He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our motivations and our limitations. He did create the perfect world...the Garden of Eden but we chose our on way and this is exactly the struggle that continues to this day and too the very end...becoming harder and harder in the last days because of delusions of security in money and power..in technologies and scientific intelligence...in a world of commercialism and materialism.

I hope I haven't offended I just felt the need to share a little more and I am unfortunately not as eloquent with words as I would wish to be. Your journey is your own.

jonnycomelately on July 16, 2014:

peeples, I just send blessings upon you in the journey. I have stayed to follow this this thread of yours for over 2 years now. Initially it had some good discussion, although heated maybe. But those folk who hold a strong christian belief will never change their position. I will never change my position because such belief(s) are of no interest to me now. Life has moved on and many who contributed have moved on, too.

So I am going to unfollow this thread of yours now.

Bon voyage.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on July 16, 2014:

"God could control everything but then what would be the point of this existence." Thanks for the comment Tammy, but I think this sentence expresses much of my issue. Why can't we all be individuals free of making different choices without having the choice of doing bad? I mean after all, are all law abiding citizens exactly the same? I don't think I will ever understand or feel the connection necessary for belief. I'm glad it helps so many. I just can't find logic in it. Kenneth you are very kind.

To everyone I apologize if I don't respond a lot here anymore. I have been attempting to avoid the drama. I know to many other atheist they would not understand, but I have found myself on a journey of learning my roots of Judaism. While I doubt the belief will ever fully be there, the fellowship is important to me. Learning makes me feel comfortable and the Jewish people, so far, seem very okay with my constant questioning of everything. Thank you to all of you who comment without judgment. It is greatly appreciated even if we can not find common ground in religion.

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on July 15, 2014:

Hi, tammy,

I try to abstain from discussions on God and The Bible. I do love Him, and have a relationship with Him and I praise Him for loving someone like me.

I believe in my case, that God "controls," my walk with him--not on me all of the time pointing out my flaws for if He did that, He would be busy everyday, but the scriptures say, "A righteous man's steps are ordered by the Lord," meaning that if I am obedient to His will, He will watch out for me when I cannot see harm in the things ahead.

Thanks for allowing me to post.

Tammy Barnette on July 15, 2014:

God could control everything but then what would be the point of this existence. My favorite song on the radio right now answers many of your questions...he did do something...he made you. It is our job to take whatever we can from our lives and use it to help others. I struggle with all the same thoughts and I have believed in my God my whole life. I have been angry with him and cried out to him. I am only human but if I can do something or say something at just the right moment that helps another human being then I am doing my part in the body of Christ. Blessings to you and your family :)

Al Wordlaw from Chicago on June 22, 2014:

Hi Ms peeples, You've written a very challenging hub. I've been geared and reared to believe in God as much as I do. When I 1st learned about God, I only thought there was one. I have testimonies of God's goodness. When I was caught between a life and death situation on more than one occasion, I turned to God, prayed and each time my life was spared. I'm used to depending on God and now, for everything. I don't knock you at all for how you feel and believe. That is your prerogative. I am glad you have a loving and understanding husband that happens to be a Christian. It is because of your him that you are protected and shielded by God. See the following:

1 Corinthians 7: 12-14 (Paul's words)

New International Version (NIV)

12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. May God continue to bless you and your family :-)

Travis Wakeman on June 20, 2014:

1. Because if God were to control everything then humanity would not have free will and the ability to choose between good and evil. A world where human beings are able to freely love is superior to a world in which human beings are nothing but sock puppets.

2. Do you want to pick a specific example? In many cases it is the sinful nature of man that is the cause for a great degree of human suffering. If God were to swoop down every single time that something bad were about to happen to anyone, would we be truly free? No of course not.

It would be like if you gave 20 dollars to a friend but then had exclusive control over how she spent it. Is it really her money if she has to get permission from you before she can spend it?

If God were to appear every single time to prevent us from choosing evil, then we would believe in God out of fear rather than out of love.

3. I am reminded about the child whose parents took him to the dentist to get his cavity treated. Not understanding that the drill was necessary in order to prevent a greater harm, the child thought that his parents were evil and sadistic for allowing the dentist to use the drill on him.

That is a parallel example for what you are telling me here. Besides that, you presuppose an objective moral standard, the likes of which can only come from God.

4. This is another example of the same. The child supposing that there must be some other way to get his cavity fixed other than facing the dentists drill.

5. On the contrary, plenty of evidence points towards the existence of a God. I would refer you to natural theology which has given us things like the Kalam Cosmological argument, Aquinas' First Mover argument. Quantum mechanics discovered that the presence of a -conscious- observer affects the nature of matter (i.e. we aren't just bits of matter blindly bumping around). The evidence is there for those who want to explore it. I would be happy to talk about his more if you would like.

6. And how do you know that it is impossible for a dead person to come back to life unless you take that as an assumption? If God is the creator of the universe, then suspending the laws of nature in order to resurrect someone is a mere pittance.

7. Because I have examined other religions, and their grounding is not nearly as firm both in theological consistency and in historical basis. We have never made an archaeological discovery that contradicts anything in the bible. The textual reliability is incredibly accurate given what it is.

8. God doesn't have any moral obligations to human beings, and in any case this falls into the same category as number 4.

9. This again falls into the same category as number 4. How do you derive the idea that every child "ought" to be born a certain way without presupposing an objective standard?

10. "At the end of the day religion is simply faith with no answers."

I disagree. You seem to be misunderstanding the meaning of the word "faith" here. This entire question seems to be a comment on the previous ones rather than an independent question of its own right.

I would recommend this book which would supplement what I have said here: http://www.amazon.com/Godforsaken-Things-Happen-th...

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on May 07, 2014:

Hello, peeples (judging by the amount of contents, you must be a terrific writer)

This is an excellent piece of writing. Amazing, to be precise.

I loved every word of it. Voted up and all the choices because you deserve it. You have such

a gift for writing. Just use it without a selfish motive and no telling at how far you will go

and how many people you will touch.

I am going now to leave you some fan mail and become a follower.

I cordially invite you to read one or two of my hubs, and be one of my followers.

I am so honored to meet you and follow you.

Sincerely,

Kenneth/ from northwest Alabama

Billionaire Brains from Washington, DC on January 25, 2014:

I don't know what to say that has not already been said. Faith is like one of those things where, you either have it or you don't.

I believe in God, not, because of what He can do for me, but because of what the rest of the world can't. God is personal to me and it's hard to explain outside of an in depth and sincere conversation.

I hope you find the answers you're looking for. :)

ParadigmEnacted on May 31, 2013:

A lot of people assume that if they don't understand or agree with what God allows, then he doesn't exist. Westerners are often conditioned to polarize certain concepts from an early age, such as free-will vs. predestination without realizing that reality is a combination.

charlie from From Kingdom of God living on Planet earth in between the oceans on May 01, 2013:

I can answer all 10 of your questions, but waste my time? You said you dont want answers.

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on April 30, 2013:

gconeyhiden,

If people use the things made to comprehend life (Romans 1:20) we would all have an animistic view of life. According to the made things animalistic life is the most logical. They don't require clothes, money, shoes, killing of their kind except to straighten the group as some carnivores do and so many other things man do. However, the things man make are mechanically our own abilities such as computers our minds, cameras our eyes, recorders our ears and the like.

gconeyhiden from Brooklyn, N.Y.C. U.S.A on April 30, 2013:

WOW congradulations peeples on all these comments your hub created. I live with a "Buddhist" and even though I find Buddha very acceptable as a thought process my Buddhist wife believes in stuff even Buddha doesnt believe in. This is because her Thai culture is founded NOT in Buddhism but in animism and Thai Buddhism for most is a synthesis of primitive animistic beliefs to then which Buddhism was overlaid. The local people in S.E. Asia would have it no other way even though this runs contrary to Buddhas thought process. Religion is full of this mess. That is old baggage that is very tough to discard because it comforts people. This is all about FEAR plain and simple and the idea of God is all over the place.

jonnycomelately on April 04, 2013:

How wonderful we can have such a diverse set of opinions, all valid, from such diverse points of the world...... Washington DC., Far North China, Tasmania, ...... greetings to you all, with great respect.

I must get out of the house now, will catch up with your replies later.

Steve from Fiji on April 04, 2013:

You can't have the mix if you include Christianity. "Thalt shall hold no Gods before me"

:)

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on April 04, 2013:

I like that mix, Jonnycomelately.

jonnycomelately on April 04, 2013:

Haha! Some put their money in sex. Some put their money ON faith. Some put (and see) their sex in religion. Some depend for their money on sex. Some depend on religion for money

Quite a mix really! Take your pick.

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on April 04, 2013:

Domma Leigh,

That's how man keeps us from recognizing what faith really means which is contrary to the Bible's "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1) which suggests we have to seek evidence and substance concerning everything we believe. Even Romans 1:20 tells us everything, including the godhead, is recognized by evidence provided by the things made which eliminates our having any excuse, especially the one saying "faith is blind."

Steve from Fiji on April 04, 2013:

DommaLeigh - spot on with your comment on Faith.

Hey, one could put their faith in things like money, or sex. They become obsessed and that becomes their religion.

DommaLeigh on April 04, 2013:

I am a Christian and you asked many good points that I have debated with an Atheist friend of mine and some I struggled with myself. Bottom line is it is a matter of faith in what you believe in, is true. Look up the word faith and it reads: Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a deity or in the doctrines or teachings of a religion. I can not make another person believe in god. I can only tell others, who want to hear, how god worked in my life and through me. Out of my six children only three of them are Christian. The other three searched in their hearts to follow a path other than mine, which I accept. It is a personal journey each person must make. It is between them and what ever higher power they have faith in.

Jmillis2006 from North Carolina on April 03, 2013:

I enjoyed reading this hub and have wanted to ask some of these same questions? I find Christians to be very frustrating at times, now let me be clear this is not directed toward all Christians , but it is unfortunate that some people whom call themselves Christian happen to be the most judgmental and intolerant people I know. I always thought Christianity was suppose to be a religion of love.

jonnycomelately on April 03, 2013:

David Ramses , it must be something like a year has gone by since we had some kind of discourse here in Hubpages. Welcome, it's good to see you again.

And thank you for your two posts above. I am in total cohesion with what you have written there. This is amazing, because I think our previous "chats" were somewhat more in disagreement.

The "Is-ness," the consciousness or being-ness of "God," has been the message of all the great sages of whom I am aware: Buddha, Jesus, the Siddhas, presumably Mohammed also. The central fact of the "I AM" embodies all their teachings. Within this understanding is the "salvation" for any of our lives, in whatever way we find useful, individually.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on April 02, 2013:

Ed, I'll admit, I am bitter with SOME Christians. It is a work in progress for me. I am trying to get to a point where I don't have that but am also at a point where I know rationally that the chances of me ever losing all that bitterness is slim to none. I have no problem with live and let live, but when I have to hide my lack of belief for fear of losing family, employees, customers, and associate I realize the problem does not lie with me but those who claim a faith they don't know how to follow. With anything some are good people some aren't. I fail often but I do try to be an accepting person. Always good to have you comment!

David Ramses on April 02, 2013:

ahorseback, when Jesus walked the earth he attacked orthodox religion with bitterness implied. He did this because it enslaved people. If Christ were walking the earth today he would be found in dense populations of non-believers showing them love and tolerance and forgiveness. Ever notice how many people he healed in the bible and did not try to convert? People often angrily reject fundamental Christianity because it fails to recognize that Christ is the word of God, not the bible, and the bible is a Christian book. But fundamental Christianity tries to convince people that the bible is the word of God and use it to enslave people to their perceived interpretations and dogmas. "God is Love" and "without Love we are nothing". I find it very illuminating that Christ's mission was not the "Salvation of Souls" but rather to show people how to live in love, tolerance, and forgiveness to come to God. I am a Christian and I myself am guilty of attacking Christianity; especially the 35000 denominations that have popped up in the last 400 years claiming to be the true church even though the bible records Christ setting up His church through St. Peter..........People do not attack Christianity they attack the fundamental Christianity they have been misguidedly preached because it feels like a mouse trap. God bless you. I have learned to think this way too late in the game.

ahorseback on April 02, 2013:

Peeples , I find myself responding to comments often more than the hub itself , hence my comment , I truely try to understand those who question ! I do too , but those who attack Christianity with bitterness implied I have no use for . I agree peeples , you need to guestion faith untill you have no questions left , one way or the other , but somehow I believe you would tolerate those who chose faith or not without the bitterness implied by so many non believers ......they are the ones whom I responded too. Not the origional hub ! .....:-}

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on April 02, 2013:

David, amazingly said and I must say that view is much more easier understood by me than the (shame on me for saying) typical Christian view of an all powerful being. I hope you are well.

Ed, this hub has nothing but tolerance in the article itself. This hub was written at a time when I was truly trying to understand Christians. I sure didn't waste so much time writing it to insult a bunch of people I don't know. I wrote it to have better understanding and in my opinion that is one of the biggest signs of tolerance. With that said I can't speak for the comments section as many of the comments by me and others have been in every direction.

ahorseback on April 02, 2013:

I love to watch as the most intellectual minds of the day question the existance of God . Especially here on hubs for some reason ...Some famous dude once said , and I para -phrase " Why do we seem to have the most trouble understanding those who we see as , unlike us !" Tolerance is a lost virtue .....theres not much of that in this hub !

David Ramses on April 02, 2013:

I have come to the, perhaps misguided - perhaps not, understanding that it is a mistake to think of God as a being. That mistake leads to questions about why this being does not take responsibility for filling the shoes people have given it. Rather than a being, I believe God IS BEING....That being said, if he is being he is the act of being and he is not necessarily a he but an it and it is called life, life-force, etc. Many Christians, including myself, seem to have a bad habit of forgetting what God, in the bible, said of himself when Moses asked "Who are you?" God said, "I am". Following that same line of thinking leads me to believe that God IS your questions in themselves, our experiences, etc..... I recently spent time with a priest from Africa. He told me of the atrocities and genocides he has witnessed and, in his maturity and to his credit, his answer to questions similar to yours (you know, the "where was God when this happened" questions) is that God was suffering the abuse along with the innocent people.......I don't know. I just think we often mistake God for a diplomat, or some other person. When in truth it is taught that God is PERSONIFICATION. God IS and all living things that ARE know the "I AM" even when think they do not. What I agree with non-believers about is that the God many Christians broadcast is not God but an Agenda!

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on April 02, 2013:

@ Sooner28,

The only god I've found to "intervene" is one's own lifeforce which is responsible for the individual being in every situation anyway, so why would it intervene except it has what is called angels to do it because when we become angels we will have to do the same thing for another lifeforce in that particular body at another time.

Acbethea from North Carolina on March 31, 2013:

But the Bible explains everything you're suggesting. We as Christians don't feel the need to "justify" our beliefs. The bible tells us "Do not lean to your own understanding." So when it is suggested to we have to make excuses for God really isn't the truth. Our world is the way it is because of the greed, envy, lust and person gain that the flesh desires. God provides us the free will to persue either but not both. I'm sure if you search your past you'll find that God has been loving and caring. Although many refer to those times as luck or maybe even take the credit themselves. The thing is you may never know how often He has intervened in your life. Again, I stop trying to change people's minds, as Christians we are just required to introduce people to God, everything else is up to them.

Sooner28 on March 31, 2013:

The arguments asking about why God doesn't intervene are not asserting that atheists believe God exists and isn't intervening. It's a conditional. If God exists, then such and such should be the case. God should intervene more if he is truly loving or cares about justice at all. The christian has to answer for why the world the way it is when he asserts that God exists, is just, and has revealed himself through scripture. The christian can't just assert something to be the case and not expect people to disagree.

Acbethea from North Carolina on March 31, 2013:

Proverbs 19:3 - "When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord." When our children reach an age that we think they should make better decisions, we try to let them grow up. Even if they fall down, we still give them room. God gives us free will and allows us that same room. If we choose not to follow him it's really up to us. The bible says that all will not enter the kingdom so as much as I wished you saw things God's way, he has explained that many will not. I do pray that something happens in your life that removes your "Fear" so you can gain some "Faith". Thank you for the post.

SwordofManticorE from Burlington on March 31, 2013:

@jonnycomelately, before I became a Christian, I was a drunk, street fighter, cheater, thief, liar, and the list is long. So your assumption that we who have a "good" morality towards others doesn't add up. It wasn't until I became a Christian that things changed for me for the better. Yes, there was much persecution in the early church after catholisim hijacked Christianity, but how often do you hear a sane Christian today oppressed, imprisoned, murder, because some are not bowing down to their beliefs? Why don't you just believe in what you believe and let others believe in what they want to believe? You sound like those same Christians trying to force your athiest beliefs on us.

jonnycomelately on March 31, 2013:

Que Scout, I cannot accept this presumption of yours. "People through time have needed to believe in Gods, without Christianity we would have much more crime and disrespect for our fellowmen."

Certainly, some persons act out their lives better because of their belief/faith etc. However some, because of their passionate/obsessive beliefs turn to force upon others, making them "tow the line," and this shows arrogance in the presumption that they are better than the unbeliever.

Wars have taken place because of fanaticism. Peoples have been oppressed, imprisoned, murdered, because they are not bowing down to the beliefs of others.

Some christian people do have a "good" morality towards others, but I don't think it's as a result of their christianity.... they would probably be "good" people anyway; just their inner character.

SwordofManticorE from Burlington on March 31, 2013:

That is your opinion and you are intitled to it. Just as the Christian who sang halleluja in the Roman stadium while being ripped apart by a lion, we know that the flesh profits nothing and our rewards will begiven in the reserection because of our faith. This does not mean that you will not recieve rewards for not believing, you will just recieve less and this sadden us, because we desire that all recieve the rewards promised to believers.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on March 31, 2013:

We don't we (as in some atheist) wonder how believers don't. I can't demand intervention from something that doesn't exist.

SwordofManticorE from Burlington on March 31, 2013:

Why do athiests demand or question divine intervention for all the most horrific acts against humanity?

Sooner28 on March 31, 2013:

"How can God be loving if he allows number 2? If I allow someone to rape or beat my child I am a horrible person and must not love my child. However if God allows it to happen he is somehow loving?!?!"

Ah. Great question! Objections like these are why I am an atheist.

ahorseback on March 30, 2013:

Perhaps in the end One Scout is right , maybe its that simple , Foor those who are in need a blanket for warmth , God is their answer , for the more bitter with life , he is a target , for some of us he is someone to blame for our assorted misfortunes and bitterness. Maybe thats all he is ...everyones answer for thier needs. The atheists the believers !

Steve from Fiji on March 29, 2013:

Christianity and other religions serve their purpose well.

People through time have needed to believe in Gods, without Christianity we would have much more crime and disrespect for our fellowmen.

It is pretty much common knowledge that this is why Christianity exists at all, not because any of the Gods are actually real. It is all in the believers mind.

So Christianity serves it purpose, and for this reason I do not condone it.

savvydating on March 29, 2013:

The explanation for #4 that you heard from Christians strikes me as wrong and horrible. I've heard New Ager's say that terrible things happen to us because it's a karma thing, but for a Christian to suggest such a thing makes me wonder where they got such an idea. Having said that, I know that many Christians have suffered greatly for their faith. But it was their choice. It was also the choice of their accusers to do horrible things to them.

At any rate, as the Brooks and Dunn songs says: "I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red. "The song is, I Believe.

Long story short, I listen to the words of Jesus, not those who act like the Pharisees he rebuked. Those people do not represent God well - far from it.

I wish you well in your journey for Truth. Your questioning tells me how much you care about injustice.

Still, in my way of thinking, people are to blame for doing bad things, not God. He doesn't control everything, because he isn't a controller. If he were, everyone would have been zapped out of existence by now. Free will is a gift. It is a respectful way of saying,"Here are the guidelines, if you follow them you and everyone else will be impacted in a positive way. It's your choice. I will not force you."

SwordofManticorE from Burlington on March 28, 2013:

@jonnycomelately My charities are between me, the recepient and God. I do not try to convert anyone by blackmailing the needy nor am I a bible thumper preaching the false teachings of hell fire to unbelievers.

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on March 28, 2013:

I would not have felt you were talking to me but you inserted "(who believe in a god)" which implied me, I had to presume it included me.

I did read that posts, sorry for the mis up.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on March 28, 2013:

TheoNatureboy I wasn't talking to you. In the next answer down from yours it was asked why atheists were the first to blame god. My reply was to that alone. I'm actually still reading up on some stuff as time permits that you wrote about and will come back to comment once I have a better understanding of what you wrote about.

jonnycomelately on March 28, 2013:

"As for religion, my religion is feeding the poor and helpless as best as I can."

That's wonderful to hear, SwordofManticorE. I just hope that feeding is a pure one, and not one laced with an ulterior motive. But then, the poor and hungry probably would not mind as long as they cease to be hungry.

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on March 27, 2013:

Sorry, Peeples, I didn't realize it didn't include Atheist-Christians. Please forgive my intrusion.

Peeples (author) from Florida Keys on March 27, 2013:

It amazes me how quickly people forget the title of this hub. It's 10 Questions FOR CHRISTIANS. NOT 10 questions for God. I am asking Christians (who believe in a god) for their perspective about their god. I personally am not blaming a God. However my hub was inspired by believers who claim the bad is created by their god to inspire good.

With that said thank you for sharing your beliefs.

SwordofManticorE from Burlington on March 27, 2013:

"Poppycock" LOL. Your own ego creates your own belief system my friend, and it is true, athiests are always the first to ask why God allows the suffering in the world, and that in it self is blaming Him. Btw, I don't feel inferior or superior to you or anyone, but I did get the hint that my answers ticked you off? As for religion, my religion is feeding the poor and helpless as best as I can.

Renee' D. Campbell from Gaithersburg, Maryland on March 27, 2013:

bwahaha funny comment jonnycomelately - I have to ask why does SwordofManticoreE have to be fearful of being proven wrong or mistaken?? We shouldn't have fear when asking questions or giving our ideas and opinions - some will like it -some will not - some may prove us wrong on some things-but so what- just as we have free will to believe in God and confess our faith and beliefs without fear -you have free will to type the word Poppycock! Thanks for the laugh and keep hubbing!

jonnycomelately on March 27, 2013:

"Answer, why are the atheists who say that God is not real, the first ones to blame God for every mishap." Poppycock!

Your presumption, SwordofManticorE. You obviously feel superior as a result of your belief and your faith. You are able to preach to us without any fear of being proven wrong or mistaken, because you can always point our questions and doubts into the "lap of your god." You are steeped in religion. There is nothing in your profile that introduces you to us as an all-rounder, integrated human being. So, for me, you are not a person with whom one can discuss things without recourse to "God."

That god is built up in your mind. It is designed and shaped to satisfy your own inner needs. Fair enough, that is your choice, yours to colour and reshape as you wish.

But that mental concoction is not one that you can transfer onto/into any one else's life.

I am atheist, having at one time been a theist, like yourself. Then I could and did evangelise like you are doing. If there was a god to thank, then I could say "thanks for showing me the light." But there is no god, so ....... the light has obviously come from the sun! And the world is beautiful, awesome.

SwordofManticorE from Burlington on March 27, 2013:

1. Why can't God control everything? If he can create an entire world, I don't understand why he can't control it.

Answer, What good is life if someone else is in total control?

2. If God is our father why does he allow "free will" to harm his children. Many people are born into horrible lives before they ever have a chance to make their own decisions. These children are abused or neglected and God does nothing. I understand letting adults be effected by "free will" but I do not understand why God doesn't step in when it comes to children.

Answer, God has created two tools for us to live and experience while in our bodies. They are contrast and comparison. These tools help us spirits experience a bodily experience so that when we all go back to our Father, we will have a better appreciation of His love. This secret can be found in the parable of the prodigal son. We are all prodigal sons sent out in the world to gain this experience. As for free will, I don't believe in such a thing.

3. How can God be loving if he allows number 2? If I allow someone to rape or beat my child I am a horrible person and must not love my child. However if God allows it to happen he is somehow loving?!?!

Answer, if you rape and beat your child for whatever reason, you belong in prison. God will only intervene if asked.

4. The explanation offered by many Christians for child abuse and other bad things is that somehow God is teaching us something or that it is God's plan to make us into a good person. My question here is there has to be a better way to teach a child right? If my child needs to learn manners I don't beat it into him. Why not find a nicer approach to life lessons?

Answer, I was a victim of child abuse, yet I have learned to forgive him who abused me. Is that so bad?

5. How do you believe in something that there is no evidence it even exists. The thing I hear Christians saying is that "We can't see air but we know it's there". True, but it has also been proven the to be there and proven to be the thing that keeps us alive. All "Miracles" can be explained with rational thoughts. So how do you justify belief in something that has never been shown to even be real?

Answer, My life experience has been all the proof I needed to know that my heavenly Father is a real living God, "Blessed are those who have not seen"!

6. How do you explain the multiple impossible things in the bible? I mean everyone knows it is impossible for a dead person to come back to life. How is Jesus any different than any other story about zombies?

Answer, what is for you impossible is not for God.

7. Why do you think your God is the only right one? As an atheist I struggle with this one. If I am wrong and there is a God, How do we know if there is just one God, multiple Gods, which one is the right one? I mean there have been Gods of sorts since pretty much forever. How do Christians justify the fact they pick this one God to worship?

Answer, Isn't one enough!

8. Natural disasters are another thing. Do you think this is God's way of controlling the planet's population or just another thing God chooses to do to his people out of spite? I mean killing thousands of people in a tsunami just doesn't sound like something a loving being would do.

Answer, you profit fleshly things more than what you will inherit in the afterlife. Besides, death comes to us all, some sooner than later.

9. Birth Defects and Child illness. This is one I struggle with very much. With all the children that are born with defects or end up with childhood cancer how do you fit that in with your faith in God? Seems to me that this is something that many say is used to make stronger people. Losing a child builds something in a person so that they can help another parent facing the same problem. But let's be real, if it never happened to begin with then no one would need to be stronger in that way. Why not just keep it from happening?

Answer, why are the atheists who say that God is not real, the first ones to blame God for every mishap.

10. This is my last one because this is the one that I personally have fought with. At the end of the day religion is simply faith with no answers. There is no questioning God. Things happen in his time and way and we are to simply believe and worship. How do you worship someone that lets all of the above happen. How do Christians find faith in God when their child dies, their husband is hit by a drunk driver, their wife has breast cancer? I just don't understand how anyone would choose to love, worship, and believe in something that allows all of this pain and sadness with no explanation. I look at a disabled child and I can't see a real God allowing that to happen and if he did I can't see wanting to worship him when he lets it all happen.

Answer, most of what you said are results of man's science achievements and the consequences that follows them. The thing about religion is that we have enough religion to want to hate and kill one another, but never enough to love another. When I look at an atheist like you, I see God, because God is love and you like all have loved or still do. So why is it so important for you to ask these questions if you so insist that the real living God does not exist? Beliefs and life have one thing in common. Live and let live, and believe and let believe. Peace

jonnycomelately on March 24, 2013:

@healthwealthmusic , Thank you for giving your understanding of this difficult subject. Personal exploration, deep down into the guts of everything, is the way to enlightenment and ALL the great beings (Sages) knew this. Metaphor has been used by them all.

For me that concept of "god" and "satan" are merely metaphors helping us explain the unexplainable.

Elijah A Alexander Jr from Washington DC on March 24, 2013:

Peeples,

I'm Atheist-Christian. Atheist because I've found no evidence of a god except my own life force as Jesus' words indicates was his god. I'm Christian because I have proven the teachings it is said Jesus taught by being a nomad for 36 years which has given me a broader comprehension of what the book says. Life can be completely comprehended as John 1:1-3 say when we use "a verbal mean of explaining" for the definition of "word."

First of all, there is no "free will," the law of karma, also known as reaping what is sown, eliminates free will by dictating what individual each lifeforce will manifest as to produce and pay off their karmic debt. We will live every specie on earth multitudes of times for experiencing every possible experience of both genders, where they have them, every personality and every emotion the producers and receiver of both the desired and undesired experiences had while causing or receiving them.

Because of karma, what is commonly called "the creator god" has to experience everything it subjects experience or it would not be just, therefore, existence's metaphor is the "Phoenix" which live for a time, burns itself up and out of it's ashes rises again when understood explains. What that does is allow every lifeforce to experience being the lifeforce of existence while all other lifeforces are going through the learning experiences. But there' no end to it, once we finish being god we begin forgetting everything learned and go back through the leaning experiences again.

The Adam metaphor of how this civilization began (Genesis 2:4-3:24) began by placing the tree of "the knowledge of good and evil" before Adam so he would began liking or disliking half of everything, produce "ignorance" and cause all of man's emotions. Once we overcome believing in good and evil, cut away all attachments and learn to accept the opposites of earth we "graduates" to the next plane. Discarnating and reincarnating ends so we metamorphose the rest of the way through being the lifeforce of existence. No one lifeforce can become the lifeforce of existence until all lifeforces have been this supposed god.

It is like saying our bodies are an eternal existence with multi-billions of different life types in and on it and each life type must experience being in every entity's different positions in the body through reincarnating until it becomes the lifeforce of the entire body itself.

That may be a little vague but http://prop1.org/protest/elijah/vision.htm may give you a more complete understanding of it.

R. Fritz from Houston, TX. on March 22, 2013:

I would suggest that to get some good answers to these questions, a good idea would be to visit a few different Bible preaching churches and ask to speak to the preacher or someone in the church office about these questions. I'm sure they would be happy to meet you and talk with you more.

f_hruz from Toronto, Ontario, Canada on February 06, 2013:

What kind of joker is that Mickey Mouse god? If he is "almighty", he should be able to fix the Donald Duck devil in no time - if he can't do it, he should resign, go on food stamps and tell the truth about religion being just a bunch of made up stories for the feeble minded ... ahaha :)

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