-You said that if God just came to you and told you to believe in him, you would.
What would he "have" to do to prove to you that he exists? There are millions of people who have said God has spoken to them (in their minds and hearts) without having physically appeared.
-You said the bible is a random collection.
In what sense do you mean? It is a collection of stories. But those stories are organized into separate books, by different writers, sharing experiences from different times.
-You said there is plenty of good stuff...but even more crap...for every point there seems to be a contradictory point. I guess this was done intentionally...
Please give examples.
-You said if there was a God who wanted us to worship him, he would not hide.
And if I told you there are people who commune with God, you would not believe me.
-You said, "This is classic sophistry: have a thousand claims ready, don't make any effort to prove them..."
You want the kind of proof that is reproducible at will. I can tell you the miracles I've seen. But I've never performed any. I here some people on TV can.
-You said any idiot could keep spouting nonsensical claims...
I hope you did not mean that because a group makes claims against things they perceive they are idiots. My question to you is this: Why did you read the bible? Was it just personal research, perhaps to defend your doubt against a barrage advanced by people who believe the bible? Or, were you searching for a deeper meaning to your life? I do not know. I do know that for me the bible is an answer to the big question, WHY?! And I also know it sometimes requires faith to reach and believe the deeper meanings in some of its stories. If you were looking for answers I sincerely encourage you to give it a second try, and find someone you don't feel is attacking you or trying to talk down to you, and has an enthusiasm for God.
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-You said that if God just came to you and told you to believe in him, you would.
What would he "have" to do to prove to you that he exists? There are millions of people who have said God has spoken to them (in their minds and hearts) without having physically appeared.
-You said the bible is a random collection.
In what sense do you mean? It is a collection of stories. But those stories are organized into separate books, by different writers, sharing experiences from different times.
-You said there is plenty of good stuff...but even more crap...for every point there seems to be a contradictory point. I guess this was done intentionally...
Please give examples.
-You said if there was a God who wanted us to worship him, he would not hide.
And if I told you there are people who commune with God, you would not believe me.
-You said, "This is classic sophistry: have a thousand claims ready, don't make any effort to prove them..."
You want the kind of proof that is reproducible at will. I can tell you the miracles I've seen. But I've never performed any. I here some people on TV can.
-You said any idiot could keep spouting nonsensical claims...
I hope you did not mean that because a group makes claims against things they perceive they are idiots. My question to you is this: Why did you read the bible? Was it just personal research, perhaps to defend your doubt against a barrage advanced by people who believe the bible? Or, were you searching for a deeper meaning to your life? I do not know. I do know that for me the bible is an answer to the big question, WHY?! And I also know it sometimes requires faith to reach and believe the deeper meanings in some of its stories. If you were looking for answers I sincerely encourage you to give it a second try, and find someone you don't feel is attacking you or trying to talk down to you, and has an enthusiasm for God.