14 Nov 22
@fmf saidThat's your choice.
I will try again:
Even if we assume what you say above is true...
...I don't think people can "choose", or use their free will to "decide", to believe for example...
that the Christian description of this creator entity is accurate or credible.
You don't understand what you're saying. If you can decide that you can't decide, then you have made a choice.
You can choose accountability to the revealed word of God, or you can choose not to believe.
If you don't believe that, that you have a choice, then you may as well quit talking about it and go on living your life as you choose.
What can be easier to understand than that?
14 Nov 22
@fmf saidIt's a level playing field. Everyone has a life to live. Some better than others.
Would you be able to use your free will to choose to believe that people with "No God" DO have lives?
The assertion, "no God, no life. Know God, know life", is in regards to the spiritual/supernatural, the hereafter and eternal life and isn't relative to materialism.
I would think you would understand that, and you probably do, but the concept doesn't coincide with your agenda, which is to deflect from rational discourse and promote a narrative in opposition to revealed truth.
14 Nov 22
@divegeester saidYou're more obtuse than ever divegeester.
Wow again!
Firth you equate your silly phraseology to “salvation” and now you are equating me challenging you and your posting to me “hating God”.
You really have been on the American right-wing Christian equivalent of the Kolinahr while you were away!
If mischaracterizing what I said gives you assurance and self justification after calling me misanthropic, then go for it.
14 Nov 22
@josephw saidI don't think this is psychologically true. It isn't how faith in supernatural beings works.
That's your choice.You don't understand what you're saying. If you can decide that you can't decide, then you have made a choice.You can choose accountability to the revealed word of God, or you can choose not to believe.
14 Nov 22
@josephw saidYou still don't seem to understand the content of the post you are ostensibly replying to. I don't think people can simply decide to believe in any religion's supposedly "revealed word of God". It's not the way that the cognitive function we call "faith" works. By the same reckoning, I don't think people can simply decide to NOT believe in their religion's allegedly "revealed word of God".
You can choose accountability to the revealed word of God, or you can choose not to believe.
14 Nov 22
@divegeester saidJesus said, "if you love me you'll obey me".
“We were only obeying orders”
God commands, man obeys.
The alternative is rebellion. Which side are you on?
Based on your performance in this forum of bashing Christians for asserting the truths as clearly delineated in God's Word it appears you're a hypocrite.
14 Nov 22
@josephw saidMy only "agenda" here is to compare what I believe to what other people believe.
I would think you would understand that, and you probably do, but the concept doesn't coincide with your agenda, which is to deflect from rational discourse and promote a narrative in opposition to revealed truth.
14 Nov 22
@fmf saidYou keep making these kinds of statements. Sounds only like your opinion.
You still don't seem to understand the content of the post you are ostensibly replying to. I don't think people can simply decide to believe in any religion's supposedly "revealed word of God". It's not the way that the cognitive function we call "faith" works. By the same reckoning, I don't think people can simply decide to NOT believe in their religion's allegedly "revealed word of God".
What exactly is it that you don't believe man has the ability to choose to believe?
Something you don't believe exists?
@josephw saidI think, with the human capacity for faith ~ specifically with faith in supernatural things ~ we realize we are convinced of things or realize we are no longer convinced of things.
What exactly is it that you don't believe man has the ability to choose to believe?
We cannot decide to believe things that we are not convinced of. Just as we cannot simply decide NOT to believe things that we realize we are convinced are true.
For example, when I was a Christian, I wasn't able to simply decide to NOT have Christian beliefs. I am not a Christian now - not because I chose not to be one anymore - but because I realized I was no longer convinced.
I think this is all pertinent to the topic of "free will".
14 Nov 22
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@josephw saidSomeone who is only partially obedient is disobedient, just as there are no shades or of truth, something is true or not, obedience is or isn't as well. We need God's grace and mercy, our efforts will never be enough.
Jesus said, "if you love me you'll obey me".
God commands, man obeys.
The alternative is rebellion. Which side are you on?
Based on your performance in this forum of bashing Christians for asserting the truths as clearly delineated in God's Word it appears you're a hypocrite.