Where's God?

[POI]

Does he pop up in my dreams? Is he the one whom produces my goose-bumps? Is He the one giving me my "moral compass"? Is he only experienced during deep meditation? If I have enough faith, will he appear to me? But seriously. Where is he? I was a Christian for decades. I earnestly prayed for him to reach me, to no avail.

For debate: Why have I not felt his presence?

A) I never tried hard enough; lack faith
B) He does not want to reveal Himself to me (yet)
C) Evil is blocking the request(s)
D) I'm too dumb to realize he's reaching me
E) He's not really there at all <- Current conclusion

Do not answer yet. This topic has spawned from another unrelated topic. I decided to devote this large topic to itself. Below are some premises:

P1) does god exist? (dunno)
P2) does god want a relationship with all, especially the ones who seek him (apparently so)
P3) is god capable of communicating (apparently so)
P4) can god communicate his message in a way in which the recipient could no longer deny (apparently so)
P5) have I asked for this communication earnestly and repetitively (YES)
P6) does the Bible state god answers the call to all who seek him (YES)

At best, god has opted not to contact me YET. And this would be after decades of actively seeking him. Without any emotion, I'm logically left with 2 options.

A) God is not really there <- Current conclusion.
B) God is not adhering to his promise (yet).

[wannabe]

This is my reply to POI post 365

You assume my advice is the only way to be found by God.
The narrow minded would also assume as much for they don't see the diversity of Gods abilities , however I still hold true to my advice. Sorry it didn't help

Also how did I start on the wrong premise again, because of course your belief in God must exist before God can strengthen one's faith. Saul was found by Jesus (God) in a different way. But ultimately it is always Gods choice in all things.

It's a shame your not very good at hide and seek, especially the seek part. ( are you hiding anything from God ?)

[POI]

You assume my advice is the only way to be found by God.

My point is that if god wants to contact us in a way we can no longer deny his existence, he will. There is nothing we can or cannot do to stop him. Some just aren't important enough for him to do so, even though we are all apparently very important to him?

The narrow minded would also assume as much for they don't see the diversity of Gods abilities , however I still hold true to my advice. Sorry it didn't help

See my response directly above...

Also how did I start on the wrong premise again, because of course your belief in God must exist before God can strengthen one's faith. Saul was found by Jesus (God) in a different way. But ultimately it is always Gods choice in all things.

You stated --> "This is my advice to all who seek God. First seek righteousness, what it is to do right and not wrong. From any source."

Your suggestion is not necessary, as the Bible god contacts us whenever he chooses; not instead because of what we do or don't do.

1) It's a shame your not very good at hide and seek, especially the seek part. 2) ( are you hiding anything from God ?)

1) You missed the sarcasm. The Bible tells us he is capable of contacting all in a way in which no one can deny. No matter how poor my observation skills are, he can still contact me in a way in which I could no longer deny.

2) Further, if such a god exists, then of course there is nothing I could hide from him. He sees that I am/was a seeker and opted to ignore me anyways. Which further reinforces what I stated above in that (the Bible god contacts us whenever he chooses; not instead because of what we do or don't do).

[SiNcE_1985]

Does he pop up in my dreams? Is he the one whom produces my goose-bumps? Is He the one giving me my "moral compass"? Is he only experienced during deep meditation? If I have enough faith, will he appear to me? But seriously. Where is he? I was a Christian for decades. I earnestly prayed for him to reach me, to no avail.

For debate: Why have I not felt his presence?

A) I never tried hard enough; lack faith
B) He does not want to reveal Himself to me (yet)
C) Evil is blocking the request(s)
D) I'm too dumb to realize he's reaching me
E) He's not really there at all <- Current conclusion

Do not answer yet. This topic has spawned from another unrelated topic. I decided to devote this large topic to itself. Below are some premises:

P1) does god exist? (dunno)
P2) does god want a relationship with all, especially the ones who seek him (apparently so)
P3) is god capable of communicating (apparently so)
P4) can god communicate his message in a way in which the recipient could no longer deny (apparently so)
P5) have I asked for this communication earnestly and repetitively (YES)
P6) does the Bible state god answers the call to all who seek him (YES)

At best, god has opted not to contact me YET. And this would be after decades of actively seeking him. Without any emotion, I'm logically left with 2 options.

A) God is not really there <- Current conclusion.
B) God is not adhering to his promise (yet).

If God is not there (as you conclude), then there is nothing else to talk about.

How many years have you've invested on the subject of a God that you do not believe exists?

[POI]

Does he pop up in my dreams? Is he the one whom produces my goose-bumps? Is He the one giving me my "moral compass"? Is he only experienced during deep meditation? If I have enough faith, will he appear to me? But seriously. Where is he? I was a Christian for decades. I earnestly prayed for him to reach me, to no avail.

For debate: Why have I not felt his presence?

A) I never tried hard enough; lack faith
B) He does not want to reveal Himself to me (yet)
C) Evil is blocking the request(s)
D) I'm too dumb to realize he's reaching me
E) He's not really there at all <- Current conclusion

Do not answer yet. This topic has spawned from another unrelated topic. I decided to devote this large topic to itself. Below are some premises:

P1) does god exist? (dunno)
P2) does god want a relationship with all, especially the ones who seek him (apparently so)
P3) is god capable of communicating (apparently so)
P4) can god communicate his message in a way in which the recipient could no longer deny (apparently so)
P5) have I asked for this communication earnestly and repetitively (YES)
P6) does the Bible state god answers the call to all who seek him (YES)

At best, god has opted not to contact me YET. And this would be after decades of actively seeking him. Without any emotion, I'm logically left with 2 options.

A) God is not really there <- Current conclusion.
B) God is not adhering to his promise (yet).

If God is not there (as you conclude), then there is nothing else to talk about.

How many years have you've invested on the subject of a God that you do not believe exists?

If you had a useful response, you would have issued one. I guess you have no actual counter argument here.

[SiNcE_1985]

If you had a useful response, you would have issued one.

And if you really want to believe in God, you would be a theist now.

From what I gather, you've been spending years on this forum, asking variations of the same questions over and over again....just remixing the question(s) with slight twists.

I guess you have no actual counter argument here.

The Bible (Christian theism) says that man is without excuse for not believing in God (Rom 1:20), as a reasonable man should be able to look at the finite, ordered universe and draw a conclusion beyond the natural world.

Keyword: Reasonable.

And it also says that God will show himself to those who earnestly seek him (Heb 11:6).

Keyword: Earnestly.

So, if you've never felt God's presence, it is because you haven't earnestly sought him.
........

For example, the implications of any First Cause argument is inescapable.

The argument is common sense, and any reasonable person should accept it.

However, they don't accept it...precisely because it takes them down a path they don't want to go.

So, they don't accept common sense logical conclusions which points to the direction of God, while at the same time claiming that they don't feel God's presence.

The irony.

Meanwhile, those who accepts those logical conclusions; we DO feel God's presence.

See how that works?

God has done his part. He created a world that was made for YOU to inhabit it. Then he created you, to inhabit it.

Now, he is waiting for you to earnestly seek him.

Again, keyword; EARNESTLY.

Now, do your part.

[POI]

And if you really want to believe in God, you would be a theist now.

Belief is not a choice. Otherwise, I could try hard enough to manifest the Easter Bunny. Hence, you are wrong again.

From what I gather, you've been spending years on this forum, asking variations of the same questions over and over again....just remixing the question(s) with slight twists.

There are only so many broadbrush topics one can present for debate. And it's not my fault theists cannot defend against any of them, which leads me to create new threads which may slightly overlap to an existing broadbrush topic, in which theists do not like debating.

The Bible (Christian theism) says that man is without excuse for not believing in God (Rom 1:20), as a reasonable man should be able to look at the finite, ordered universe and draw a conclusion beyond the natural world.

Well, the Bible is gaslighting the reader here and is also wrong. When we study the ''design' of humans alone, we see many things which, if 'designed' by an actual designer, would present as very clumsy or inept. And I doubt you view your designer as clumsy and inept. I could get into it, but you will likely not respond anyways, so what is the point?

Keyword: Reasonable.

And it also says that God will show himself to those who earnestly seek him (Heb 11:6).

Keyword: Earnestly.

So, if you've never felt God's presence, it is because you haven't earnestly sought him.

The same types of arguments are issued in the book of Mormon. Maybe you are not reading the book of Mormon hard enough, and are missing true revelation? (i.e.):

Moroni 10:3–5 (The Promise to Know Truth): This passage advises readers to read the record, ponder it, and ask God with a "sincere heart" and "real intent," promising that God will manifest the truth of it by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Ether 3:6–20 (The Brother of Jared): The Brother of Jared shows great faith, leading to a direct manifestation of God. This story is often cited as a model for how intense spiritual focus and faith can lead to seeing God.

For example, the implications of any First Cause argument is inescapable.

Since (something/matter/other) has likely always existed, (in one form or another), the 'first cause' argument would be like arguing "what is north of the North pole?' or asking 'what is colder that absolute zero?'. Meaning, they are nonsensical questions to ask or examine, once you understand the reality of events.

However, they don't accept it...precisely because it takes them down a path they don't want to go.

Not only have I addressed that path, but it proves not to address anything useable.

So, they don't accept common sense logical conclusions which points to the direction of God, while at the same time claiming that they don't feel God's presence.

The irony.

The only irony presented here, is that you continue to impose fallacious reasoning, as demonstrated both above and below.

Meanwhile, those who accepts those logical conclusions; we DO feel God's presence.

Hmm, so basically, what you are demonstrating, is that to feel god's presence, you must first issue fallacious reasoning, and then, when you feel warm and tingly in meditation, that is actually god's presence. Got it.

See how that works?

Yup.

God has done his part.

No, he hasn't. If he wants you to know him, he can and will. "Saul of Tarsus" continues to be a shining example, where none of this mumbo jumbo you continue to go on about above is even relevant. Apparently, the Bible god picks and chooses, even though he states he loves us all?

He created a world that was made for YOU to inhabit it. Then he created you, to inhabit it.

LOL! 98% of all water on earth is poisonous to humans and only about 15% of the globe is also inhabitable to humans. But yea, we humans are special. You've read the story of the puddle, right? If you haven't, here you go:

The "story of the puddle" generally refers to a popular philosophical analogy created by Douglas Adams (author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) to illustrate the folly of the anthropic principle—the idea that the universe is fine-tuned specifically for human existence.

Here is the meaning behind the story and its key components: The Analogy Summary

Adams asks us to imagine a sentient puddle waking up and thinking, "This is an interesting world I find myself in—an interesting hole I find myself in—fits me rather neatly, doesn't it?".As the sun shines and the puddle grows, it decides the world was created to have it, the puddle, in it. By the time it dries up, it believes the world was meant for it until the very end.

Now, he is waiting for you to earnestly seek him.

Again, keyword; EARNESTLY.

Now, do your part.

I continue to find these types of responses amusing. Of course, I'm not earnest. Gaslight much?.?.?.? Weee!