How do I determine what God requires of me?

[McCulloch]

I have posted what I think is the single most important issue to debate.

To me, the second most important issue is this. If there is a God, how do I determine what God requires of me? If your answer involves something that is from human agency, a book or an organization, then the question remains, "How do I know that the book's authors or the organization's leaders authoritatively speak for God?"

How do I determine what God requires of me?

[McCulloch]

If you want to know what God requires of you, you must be open enough to hear him. No one can tell you this.

I am still not convinced that God exists. I am not asking for you or anyone to tell me what God requires of me, but I am asking for a methodology, for a way to be able to tell what it is that God (if he exists) would want me to do. Do you see the distinction?

Even His book is vague and contradictory.

So then either God is a poor communicator or it is not His Book.

Why would you associate neuronal synapses to be required for faith?

Every thought, memory or belief you have exists as a configuration of your neurons.

[undeterred]

I asked for years for God to help me to stop doubting. I tried, trust me.

Mom has been trying for years and I know she is at that crucial point where she is going to join you. I don't doubt her honest or open-minded search anymore than I do yours.

alexiarose, you say you don't doubt the honest open-mindedness of your mother and OpenedUp, but neither of them could have really been honestly open-minded, could they?

God answers those who call - those who are open to his message. Your mother must be holding something in reserve, because God has not been able to enter her heart.

So your mother is lying to you. She can't get away with that to God, though.

What do you think?

[Confused]

I asked for years for God to help me to stop doubting. I tried, trust me.

Mom has been trying for years and I know she is at that crucial point where she is going to join you. I don't doubt her honest or open-minded search anymore than I do yours.

alexiarose, you say you don't doubt the honest open-mindedness of your mother and OpenedUp, but neither of them could have really been honestly open-minded, could they?

God answers those who call - those who are open to his message. Your mother must be holding something in reserve, because God has not been able to enter her heart.

So your mother is lying to you. She can't get away with that to God, though.

What do you think?

I think that I take exception to being called a liar. Careful when you speak of what you don't know.

What do you think of that?

[undeterred]

I think that I take exception to being called a liar. Careful when you speak of what you don't know.

What do you think of that?

I meant no offence, and I apologise unreservedly for any offence I caused.

I was only putting forward (in statement form) what seemed to be the only logical conclusion from the fact that God hadn't revealed himself to a person (you) even though that person (you) was apparently sincere in their (your) search for him.

I should have prefaced it "it seems from this..., but I was trying to otherwise point out that it is absurd to suggest that what has to follow from the screwy notion that God will appear for sincere requests, is that the person he won't appear to is not sincere.

The question was, does that mean God has seen through you? That you're either dishonest (in God's eyes), or not as sincere as you think? Is it that God knows better, being God and all?

My follow up question is the alternative hypothesis - Is God just a fairy tale figment of the imagination who can't do anything because he just plain doesn't exist, and any "experience" of him is a product of the mind akin to hypnosis via the power of suggestion?

I'm only asking. What does A.R. think? Are you lying, and God caught you out? I would say "of course not", but I thought A.R. would like to answer and think about it.

[Confused]

I think that I take exception to being called a liar. Careful when you speak of what you don't know.

What do you think of that?

I meant no offence, and I apologise unreservedly for any offence I caused.

I was only putting forward (in statement form) what seemed to be the only logical conclusion from the fact that God hadn't revealed himself to a person (you) even though that person (you) was apparently sincere in their (your) search for him.

I should have prefaced it "it seems from this..., but I was trying to otherwise point out that it is absurd to suggest that what has to follow from the screwy notion that God will appear for sincere requests, is that the person he won't appear to is not sincere.

The question was, does that mean God has seen through you? That you're either dishonest (in God's eyes), or not as sincere as you think? Is it that God knows better, being God and all?

My follow up question is the alternative hypothesis - Is God just a fairy tale figment of the imagination who can't do anything because he just plain doesn't exist, and any "experience" of him is a product of the mind akin to hypnosis via the power of suggestion?

I'm only asking. What does A.R. think? Are you lying, and God caught you out? I would say "of course not", but I thought A.R. would like to answer and think about it.

Understandable. I can only speak from my own view in that my search has been and continues to be as open and honest as possible. Either God is blind or He just doesn't want me. Either way, I have failed. She hasn't. But this was mostly a preemptive strike to prevent her saying mom isn't a liar and me having to confirm it. I think alexiarose will have fun answering it for you though.

[alexiarose]

I asked for years for God to help me to stop doubting. I tried, trust me.

Mom has been trying for years and I know she is at that crucial point where she is going to join you. I don't doubt her honest or open-minded search anymore than I do yours.

alexiarose, you say you don't doubt the honest open-mindedness of your mother and OpenedUp, but neither of them could have really been honestly open-minded, could they?

God answers those who call - those who are open to his message. Your mother must be holding something in reserve, because God has not been able to enter her heart.

So your mother is lying to you. She can't get away with that to God, though.

What do you think?

I think that God hasn't abandoned them, but He works in His own time in His own way. I have to trust that there is a reason He hasn't reached their hearts yet. Or perhaps He has, they just don't recognize it. I know moms heart is good. She shows it at work and home and with her friends. I know how much she hurt when she thought she was rejected and I don't blame her for joining the other side, though I am going to try to fight like heck now that I am home to prevent it, but I think that in her heart, she is doing exactly as scriptures says.

[alexiarose]

If you want to know what God requires of you, you must be open enough to hear him. No one can tell you this.

I am still not convinced that God exists. I am not asking for you or anyone to tell me what God requires of me, but I am asking for a methodology, for a way to be able to tell what it is that God (if he exists) would want me to do. Do you see the distinction?

Matthew 13:18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it.

Let me ask you this, you love your wife, right? What method do you use to validate this feeling? How can you explain it to me so it isn't (moms favorite word here ) nonsensical?

Sometimes, seeing is believing. Sometimes feeling it believing. Sometimes hearing is believing. The evil one could be your doubt and skepticism.

Yes, I realize I contradict myself from my earlier post about mom, but I know what is in moms heart. I don't know what is in yours except that your funny.

Even His book is vague and contradictory.

So then either God is a poor communicator or it is not His Book.

False dilemma? Couldn't it be more like man is reading to much into it, studying it beyond what it was meant to mean?

[Zzyzx]

.

Let me ask you this, you love your wife, right? What method do you use to validate this feeling? How can you explain it to me so it isn't (moms favorite word here ) nonsensical?

Alexiarose,

I cannot answer for anyone but myself, and to some extent for my wife. We do NOT attempt to "validate this feeling" of love for one another to anyone or convince anyone that our love exists because it is a private matter between us. We are not “selling” anything about love and are not attempting to induce others to love us or each other.

That is a major difference between private and public aspects of love. Those who promote "god's love" to others in defense or promotion of religious beliefs ARE claiming that such a thing exists and are attempting to convince others to accept what they say. They are, therefore, expected to validate their claims.

Therein is a great failing of religion -- attempting to convince others to worship certain gods without ability to verify the claims made to induce that worship. The promise of "love" from a being that cannot be detected (except by "feelings" or opinions) is NOT a valid promise that can be shown to be fulfilled. The promise of "heaven" for chosen "souls" in an "afterlife" likewise cannot be validated but is part of the promise used to promote religion.

People CLAIM that "god's love" or "heaven" exist in order to defend or promote their religious beliefs, but they cannot demonstrate that the claims they make are true. Many are very convinced that such things exist - but that is personal opinion, not fact – no matter how many “believe”.

Very few Theists are willing to acknowledge that their claims about gods are opinion because doing so reduces their ability to convince others (or perhaps themselves). Beliefs are presented as facts but cannot be defended as anything more than opinion.

[McCulloch]

Let me ask you this, you love your wife, right? What method do you use to validate this feeling? How can you explain it to me so it isn't (moms favorite word here ) nonsensical?

So God is a feeling; an emotion?

Sometimes, seeing is believing. Sometimes feeling it believing. Sometimes hearing is believing. The evil one could be your doubt and skepticism.

Skepticism is guarding against falsehoods by testing every claim. How can that be evil?

Yes, I realize I contradict myself from my earlier post about mom, but I know what is in moms heart. I don't know what is in yours except that your funny.

Contradict away, you're young. But don't expect us to believe that your beliefs are deep seated if you contradict yourself.

Oh, and it is you're funny.

Even His book is vague and contradictory.

So then either God is a poor communicator or it is not His Book.

False dilemma? Couldn't it be more like man is reading to much into it, studying it beyond what it was meant to mean?

Very good! You're learning that evil skepticism; looking for those logical fallacies. Before long we'll have you on the dark side.

You claim that God's book is vague and contradictory. Why would that be? What possible reason would a perfect loving god have to publish a vague and contradictory book?

[alexiarose]

.

Let me ask you this, you love your wife, right? What method do you use to validate this feeling? How can you explain it to me so it isn't (moms favorite word here ) nonsensical?

Alexiarose,

I cannot answer for anyone but myself, and to some extent for my wife. We do NOT attempt to "validate this feeling" of love for one another to anyone or convince anyone that our love exists because it is a private matter between us. We are not “selling” anything about love and are not attempting to induce others to love us or each other.

That is a major difference between private and public aspects of love. Those who promote "god's love" to others in defense or promotion of religious beliefs ARE claiming that such a thing exists and are attempting to convince others to accept what they say. They are, therefore, expected to validate their claims.

Therein is a great failing of religion -- attempting to convince others to worship certain gods without ability to verify the claims made to induce that worship. The promise of "love" from a being that cannot be detected (except by "feelings" or opinions) is NOT a valid promise that can be shown to be fulfilled. The promise of "heaven" for chosen "souls" in an "afterlife" likewise cannot be validated but is part of the promise used to promote religion.

People CLAIM that "god's love" or "heaven" exist in order to defend or promote their religious beliefs, but they cannot demonstrate that the claims they make are true. Many are very convinced that such things exist - but that is personal opinion, not fact – no matter how many “believe”.

Very few Theists are willing to acknowledge that their claims about gods are opinion because doing so reduces their ability to convince others (or perhaps themselves). Beliefs are presented as facts but cannot be defended as anything more than opinion.

I think I am understanding, but I think you are misunderstanding. I am not saying God is love. That doesn't even make sense to me. I was trying to make a connection between feeling God and feeling love. Not Gods love. Human love.