Is it reasonable to believe in God?

[historia]

Is it reasonable to believe in God?

Note, the question here is not whether you think it is true that God exists, but simply whether such a belief is reasonable or not.

[Tcg]

Thank you gobookmart, a subtle reminder that I return to the OP and not continue to deraille the thread ; I agree that believing in God is one's personal choice.

JW

It's not. ....

What is not? One's personal choice? If it isn't one's personal choice, whose choice is it?

JW

I explained that in the part you cut out. So, care to prove me wrong. Can you choose for even a second or two to not believe in Jehovah? Don't worry such a kind and loving God wouldn't allow you to die during a second or two of non-belief.


Tcg

[Tcg]

"Die Gedanken sind frei" (Thoughts are free) is a German song about freedom of thought.
viewtopic.php?p=816498#p816498

"Free Fallin'" is an American song about free fallin.'




Tcg

[JehovahsWitness]

As to the OP question, it was about the reasonableness of God. My point from the beginning has been that some notions of God are far more reasonable than others.

This is a valid point, the OP does not define its terms, so I suppose one is free to examine the various notions of god throughout the ages.


JW

Go to other posts related to ....

GOD, GODS and ...THE TRINITY

[Tcg]

This is a valid point, the OP does not define its terms, so I suppose one is free to examine the various notions of god throughout the ages.

JW

Throughout the ages? No need to time warp, there's plenty of different and contradictory notions of gods presently. Sure, one is free to examine them, but they aren't free to believe that which they find unbelievable. Once again, as I've demonstrated in this very thread.


Tcg

[JehovahsWitness]

This is a valid point, the OP does not define its terms, so I suppose one is free to examine the various notions of god throughout the ages.

JW

Throughout the ages? No need to time warp, there's plenty of different and contradictory notions of gods presently.

Sure, I agree. Past and pesent , there are many notions of god which can be covered in relation to the OP. Indeed the question being in the present tense, does focus on present belief.

one is free to examine them....

I do believe that is what the OP is requesting.

Note, the question here is not whether you think it is true that God exists, but simply whether such a belief is reasonable or not.

JW

[Tcg]

This is a valid point, the OP does not define its terms, so I suppose one is free to examine the various notions of god throughout the ages.

JW

Throughout the ages? No need to time warp, there's plenty of different and contradictory notions of gods presently.

Sure, I agree. Past and pesent , there are many notions of god which can be covered in relation to the OP. Indeed the question being in the present tense, does focus on present belief.

Then why did you refer to the past?

one is free to examine them....

I do believe that is what the OP is requesting.

Note, the question here is not whether you think it is true that God exists, but simply whether such a belief is reasonable or not.

JW

Okay. The question is not can one choose to believe that which they don't believe and yet that is what you devoted your last few posts to establish. We've (or at least I) have answered that question, now we're back on topic. The answer is not complicated. Two letters, "no."



Tcg

[JehovahsWitness]

Then why did you refer to the past?

Just to give some context to the present.

JW

... considering the following:

Joshua 6:21

"Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword."

Deuteronomy 20:16-17

"But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded,"

Joshua 10:40

"So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded."

Isaiah 13:15-18

"Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished. Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them, who have no regard for silver and do not delight in gold. Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children."

Exodus 34:11-14

“Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),"

1 Samuel 15:3

"Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

1 Peter 2:18

"Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust."

Numbers 31:17-18

"Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves."

Acts 5:1-11

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ..."

2 Kings 19:35

"And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies."

Leviticus 20:13

"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them."

Matthew 13: 40-42

"Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
...

[Tcg]

Then why did you refer to the past?

Just to give some context to the present.

JW

I'm pretty sure that most folks are aware that there was a past before the present. When you knock on doors to spread the message of JWism, have you ever met anyone who thinks that day you did so was the first day ever?


Tcg

[JehovahsWitness]

Then why did you refer to the past?

Just to give some context to the present.

JW

I'm pretty sure that most folks are aware that there was a past before the present.

I wouldnt suggest otherwise. There is sometimes merit however in considering past events to give context tm present understanding ...

... considering the following:

Joshua 6:21

"Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword."

Deuteronomy 20:16-17

"But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded,"

Joshua 10:40

"So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded."

Isaiah 13:15-18

"Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished. Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them, who have no regard for silver and do not delight in gold. Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children."

Exodus 34:11-14

“Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),"

1 Samuel 15:3

"Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

1 Peter 2:18

"Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust."

Numbers 31:17-18

"Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves."

Acts 5:1-11

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ..."

2 Kings 19:35

"And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies."

Leviticus 20:13

"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them."

Matthew 13: 40-42

"Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
...

JW

[brunumb]

The statement itself disproves your assertion; the punishment of evil is not cruel; quite the contrary, allowing evil to continue unchecked is both cruel and corrupt.

unchecked
adjective: unchecked
1. (especially of something undesirable) not controlled or restrained.

This is how you propose not allowing evil to go unchecked:
Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished.

It is cruel and evil in itself!