(1) LOL
(2) You don't even know Christianity began a few thousands of years ago, because you are unable to trust history.
But to play along, certainly the acceptance of some people's religion is based on their culture and times, but it doesn't follow that their religion is therefore necessarily false. It might be; it might not be. You have to have the right tools to verify, like I said.
(3) Right reason and philosophy are the tools we need. Those provide proof enough that God is, in addition to His historical resurrection from the dead. He doesn't need to die and rise from the dead every 20 years to satisfy hard-headed people -- who would likely find other explanations for it, like, "Hey, it happens every 20 years. It's natural" or "That's not God performing miracles. It's just an alien with superior capabilities."
Also, I must point out that merely believing in God's existence does not save anyone. That doesn't necessarily change the heart and soul. God gives us enough reason to believe he exists, coaxing us to pursue him. It's the pursuit of love and goodness and truth that he elicits from us, which we won't pursue if we are self-absorbed and obstinate. He already gives us enough light to see, even if only dimly at first, assuming we open our eyes and follow the light we are given.
What is your well-reasoned alternative to the existence of a God? How can anyone verify the truth of atheism (assuming you don't believe in any God)?
I believe God exists, and of all the religions, I choose to be christian because it's the one that resonates most with me and feels most real to me
But claiming to be the right religion with certainty is pointless. There are hundreds of religions, and none have clear evidence. It can't be verified, only trusted
We may or may not be right in choosing christianity.
The brand of Christianity you describe is not salvific; it is Christian in name only.
The sign Jesus gave as proof of his claims was that he would die and rise again in three days. That is a concrete event that took place in time and space -- in history.
Since you are averse to history, then it's illogical to "choose" Christianity simply because it "feels most real" to you. Who cares how you feel about it? Your feeling is much, much less reliable than credible historical evidences and sound logic and philosophy. Feelings are notoriously unreliable, unlike well-documented history. Besides, maybe there's nothing to your standing. It is all made up. Maybe there is no such person as Jesus of Nazareth.
It's okay and normal to struggle sometimes with what to believe, but that's not the same as saying no one can know what is true (that itself is a truth claim).
Our faith is not grounded in what feels right or resonates with us, but is rooted in reality, the real world.
Okay... God wants to save as many souls as possible?
So why did he leave a book written by people 2000 years ago, knowing there are so many lies and falsehoods in the world and millions of people would doubt it?
Why doesn't he give tangible evidence every day or once every 10 years?
The majority of people in the world don't believe in God or believe in other religions. Would God allow that to happen in the world knowing that most people would go to hell in that case?
Leaving a book as evidence that you are the right God doesn't make sense, knowing that all religions have the same books and that it will lead millions to fall into the wrong religion. I don't think a God of perfect intelligence wouldn't take that into account
you either have faith and sincerely believe the word of God over the world, and the lies of man or you don't. it's a test of faith and it's that simple.
That Is the exact same argument a islam person told me once, who is right you or him?
All religions ask for the same, have faith
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I've already addressed these things directly. You're not paying attention.
I will add, though, that while God wants all people to be saved, Jesus also says that few will go through the straight path that leads to salvation and many will go down the wide path that leads to destruction.
He is not a cosmic, spiritual rapist -- he does not force his will on us. He invites us to answer his call. He pursues us in love, but we are able to reject him. We take the path we choose.
He does not condemn people who are invincibly ignorant. Rather, he judges people based on what they do with the light they have.
Feigned ignorance is not invincible ignorance. We cannot demand the kind of proof we insist on having, and when or how often we have it -- all the while ridiculously disputing the evidence that we *are* given.
If you do evil, but don't seek forgiveness through Jesus -- or if you don't know Jesus and don't care enough to sincerely seek out who and what God is -- then your immortal soul will take up permanent residence in hell.
Interesting God wants everyone to be saved, but creates a world where most won't...
Instead of leaving clear evidence, he leaves a book
There are hundreds of religions to choose from, all with their books, their history, their prophet, their temples, their monks...
Do you see the inconsistencies?
Do you see that in this debate, a Muslim would be giving me exactly the same arguments and with the same conviction as you?
Did I say anything about God leaving a book? You don't listen. You don't pay attention.
You said you are a Christian. What is your source of instruction for Christianity? How do you know you are a Christian?
If you deny the accuracy of the scriptures, if you don't believe in the historic Christian Church, if you deny that the Blessed Trinity is the one true God -- what makes you think you're a Christian?
You don't have Christian views. You are making up your own religion, which is not the salvific.
You still didnt say one single valid argument for why you are right and the rest of the religions and millions of persons are wrong
The worst part is that you have 100% conviction (like a muslim with islam or a member of a sect with his leader)
Open your eyes and realice that you requiere faith to be a christian and you cant prove that you are right and others religions are not
It is cool that you chose christianity but you cant prove nothing(you was probably born into it and didnt even considered or rode deeply about others religions)
If we had had this conversation in ancient Greece, I'm sure you would have argued with the same conviction that Zeus is the true god
You don't accept my valid argument from history. You don't accept miracles either. There's nothing you would accept, it seems. Even if a miracle happened before your eyes, you can always devise alternate explanations.
Of course Christianity requires faith, but so does believing in the existence of Abraham Lincoln. I never saw Abe myself, but I have faith based on the historical records, eye witnesses, and in what he has done.
Faith can either be evidence-based or blind or delusional. We have to use our brains.
If I grew up in ancient Greece, maybe I would have argued with conviction for Zeus. That changes nothing. But here is the big difference: I would not have any good evidence for it, but I do have plenty for Christianity.
I repeat myself when I say that just because people believe in false gods, or that people may believe in their god because of their culture, it does not follow that there is not a one true God -- or that one can confidently know the true God based on historic and other evidence.
Yes, I would believe in a miracle if I saw one.
When you say "valid argument from history," that's where you fail because ALL religions claim to have valid historical arguments
Abraham Lincoln existed fewer years ago, and believing he existed doesn't require an extreme level of faith because it's a more recent and proven historical event. BUT, above all, because you don't have to believe he performed miracles and was resurrected... it's not even slightly comparable
Indeed, if you had grown up in ancient Greece, you would believe in Zeus with total devotion, but again, you fail because you would be claiming the same thing you do now: you would say you have proof, witnesses, and historical facts that demonstrate clear evidence that Zeus exists (if you don't know, temples were built to Zeus, there were priests, people who claimed to have spoken with Zeus, people who claimed to have received miracles from Zeus... what you call historical evidence)
You said you believe in God and even in Christianity. Why is that, if you have a hard time believing in miracles attested to in history (what else would one expect)?
Your own version of Christianity sounds like the pagan Greek and Roman religions of gods far, far away that don't act visibly in human history.
You prefer a safer fairytale god rather than one who acts and lives among us.
Let me ask you this: When do you suppose Christianity began? And by whom?
My friend… EVERY single religion has attested miracles, which one is lying and which one is right?
This feels like an Abbot & Costello routine.
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Imagine going to hell for all eternity because you decided to doubt a book written 2,000 years ago or because you chose the wrong religion...
If you really think a god of perfect intelligence would create such a world... think more deeply
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