How can anyone believe in god when there's so much evil in the world?

[Anonymous]

Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Show me one bit of evidence of this and I will bow before him.

God owes you no "evidence". Don't you understand that? You are nothing compared to God.

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:29

I didn't ask "him" for evidence.

I asked you for evidence.

I accepted Jesus into my heart. I have no idols (money, power, sex, looks, popularity, travel, food, and other deities) in my life. I live for God. He is my first love, my firs commitment, even before my family. He created me. He created all my mental faculties and abilities. I am happy and delighted to obey Him. I need no "evidence". Evidence is in my heart and in my actions that are congruent with my heart that is devoted to God. If you are asking me to summarize all my Biblical knowledge for you, I won't do it. Someone on another thread posted lots of useful links to gain the basic knowledge of the Abrahamic faiths.

So.... do you think for yourself? As in, do you/have you ever questioned your faith? Or is everything you don't understand a matter of giving it to god?

Of course I think for myself. Who else would I be thinking for. Unless your question is a snark. God gave me mental faculties and abilities to think for myself. I choose to put all my thoughts, intents, and deeds before God. He didn't force me. I chose my faith in Him guided by the Holy Spirit.

[Anonymous]

Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

So, you don't understand the word "anthropomorphize" and completely unable to view your religion (your belief in the "Abrahamic God") objectively. Monotheism and omnipotence are irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

So, you don't understand the word "anthropomorphize" and completely unable to view your religion (your belief in the "Abrahamic God") objectively. Monotheism and omnipotence are irrelevant.

I understand perfectly (without being patronizing like you). But you obviously haven't read or understood the Bible and are basing your judgments on what you heard second hand (from media, neighbors, etc). "Human" attributes that you think of such as God's anger, love, judgment, and punishment in the Old Testament are so not human-like. You would be shocked and transformed if you personally experienced that anger or love. It is NOTHING like human anger or love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

I grew up in an Abrahamic religion (Islam). As long as there is a distinct character of the devil/satan/shaytan, then that monotheistic God is not omnipotent, or singular. Satan is an arm of God's personality and presence---or Satan is a competing deity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

I grew up in an Abrahamic religion (Islam). As long as there is a distinct character of the devil/satan/shaytan, then that monotheistic God is not omnipotent, or singular. Satan is an arm of God's personality and presence---or Satan is a competing deity.

In Christianity, Satan is not equal to God. God defeated Satan through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. That was a total and irrevocable defeat of Satan. Christianity is based on prophecies and the Book of Revelation tells us that Satan will play the role but will be dealt the final blow before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In Christianity, Satan is absolutely not equal to God. But God will not interfere into Satan's doings at the moment. It is up to human being to reject Satan. That's what makes or break a believer. But let's be clear that in Christianity God is absolutely omnipotent and Satan is not His equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

I grew up in an Abrahamic religion (Islam). As long as there is a distinct character of the devil/satan/shaytan, then that monotheistic God is not omnipotent, or singular. Satan is an arm of God's personality and presence---or Satan is a competing deity.

In Christianity, Satan is not equal to God. God defeated Satan through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. That was a total and irrevocable defeat of Satan. Christianity is based on prophecies and the Book of Revelation tells us that Satan will play the role but will be dealt the final blow before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In Christianity, Satan is absolutely not equal to God. But God will not interfere into Satan's doings at the moment. It is up to human being to reject Satan. That's what makes or break a believer. But let's be clear that in Christianity God is absolutely omnipotent and Satan is not His equal.

Unless God is not omniscient, this was all part of God's plan - including knowing all of Satan's doings, before Satan even "fell." Thus, Satan is an arm of God's deliberate being.

[Anonymous]

Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I don’t believe something and think it’s foolish, I usually don’t spend a lot of time trying to suss it out. If you feel the need to know and question, perhaps spend time with the text of the Bible. That’s where answers are.

Are they also in the Koran? The Bhagavad Gita? And which Bible? They are all different you know...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_Bible_translations

Yes, major religions seem to have holy text and word from which they base the beliefs. Crazy, right?

You’d have to read each one to gain answers about specific beliefs. I am not familiar with all religions. If you are interested in one, go for it.

See that's the point. They all say different things. What if I pick the wrong one?

If there was one that was true, wouldn't that be what everyone believed? If you can just pick one, what is the point?

Some of us care what is TRUE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

I grew up in an Abrahamic religion (Islam). As long as there is a distinct character of the devil/satan/shaytan, then that monotheistic God is not omnipotent, or singular. Satan is an arm of God's personality and presence---or Satan is a competing deity.

In Christianity, Satan is not equal to God. God defeated Satan through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. That was a total and irrevocable defeat of Satan. Christianity is based on prophecies and the Book of Revelation tells us that Satan will play the role but will be dealt the final blow before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In Christianity, Satan is absolutely not equal to God. But God will not interfere into Satan's doings at the moment. It is up to human being to reject Satan. That's what makes or break a believer. But let's be clear that in Christianity God is absolutely omnipotent and Satan is not His equal.

Unless God is not omniscient, this was all part of God's plan - including knowing all of Satan's doings, before Satan even "fell." Thus, Satan is an arm of God's deliberate being.

Satan is not His arm. That is a blasphemous notion in Christianity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of non-faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.