Why do people prefer to believe lies about God?

[Truthabounds]

In the short time I have been on this site, I have found that many people believe the lies that are told about God. These lies are usually perpetrated by the very ones who are supposed to teach us.
The most common lies are:
God is a mystery
Does not care about us
Is vengeful
Is unfair
He accepts all worship.
Of course there are many more which will no doubt raise their ugly heads during the course of this discussion.

[mibn2cweus]

I'm with you there Andyvon. Reason is much easier to apply and appreciate with regards to something which actually exists. Much of what I've learned about reality came to me as well by not being afraid to get my hands dirty.

[Andyvon]

Spot on Mibn2cweus. When it comes down to it we've all got to live in the real world here and now.

[DTCwordfan]

Has "spreading" been ressurected in the form of Tuthabounds this time?

[mibn2cweus]

Based on gender, Elderman seems the more likely candidate for resurrection

Username: Spreading
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Username: Elderman
Gender: Male
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Last Activity: 17:49 Mon 03rd Oct 2011
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In Truthabounds' case I think it's more likely a matter of metamorphosis ~

Username: Butterflies61
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Username: Truthabounds
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[smart1]

Who in their right mind would 'prefer to believe lies'? People believe what they believe. It's that simple.

[mibn2cweus]

Based on my own personal experience I see no reason to presume everyone is in their right mind. ;o)

[annadomino]

Well, the God particle was dismissed yesterday (CERN) so I guess if there is no particle ........

[Quizmonster]

Old_Geezer, as you say, it is (quote) "difficult to believe that a deity would care whether Bertrand Russell or anyone else for that matter, actually believed in them."
However, even within the ten commandments, he claimed that he showed "mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments."
I know it's all nonsense, but that seems to make it pretty clear that he DOES "care" whether or not he is loved. Presumably, he'd have liked Bertrand Russell to do so, too.

[naomi24]

Mercy for what? He didn't seem to care much for the hoards of people he had slaughtered.

I suspect OG isn't talking about the same God as everyone else - and if that's the case, I'm with him on that.

[LazyGun]

@ annadomino - can u provide a link re your comment about CERN and the Higgs Boson?
Since it is still theoretical,a story categorically refuting it's existence would be huge news,and a quick scan of the science news headlines shows nothing

[keyplus90]

Andy - Thanks for that and I wish you pop in more often.

[Quizmonster]

Naomi, I suspect you failed to notice that I wrote, "I know it's all nonsense." This was a reference to religion in general and was intended to indicate that I am an atheist; I was most certainly not claiming any belief in a merciful god, but just responding to a remark Old_Geezer had made in response to an earlier contribution I myself had made to this thread.

[naomi24]

Quizmonster, //Naomi, I suspect you failed to notice that I wrote,//

Sorry for any misunderstanding, QM. I didn't fail to notice and I knew exactly what you meant. My response was to "mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments." I was just highlighting the irony of Truthabound's list of supposed lies.

[Elderman]

(mibn2cweus) You’re all very loving here. Is your hatred that bad! This has all been on here once before. So what are you trying to prove? This is supposed to be a discussion forum – or is it more like a vendetta. Still it is people like you that make up the world like it is!!

[mibn2cweus]

Just answering the question, Elderman . . . or is it . . .

Oh, nevermind.

[Elderman]

NO,in the Scriptures, the word “hate” has several shades of meaning. In some contexts, it simply means to love to a lesser degree. (Deuteronomy 21:15, 16) “Hate” may also signify a strong dislike but without any intent of bringing harm to the object, seeking instead to avoid it because of a feeling of loathing toward it. However, the word “hate” may also denote intense hostility, sustained ill will often accompanied by malice.

[mibn2cweus]

Thanks Elderman, but if I wanted a definition for 'hate' I would never have burned my own Bible, consigning one of the most inspiring doctrines of hatred for reason and humankind in history to the ash heap where it belongs.

[LogicA]

I believe what Jesus said. The Son of God cannot lie. And He founded a Church to protect His Teaching on Faith and Morals. That is the sum of my belief. I am a Catholic.

"Consider the Bible tells us to be meek, humble, single-hearted, and teachable. Now, it is plain that humility and teachableness are qualities of mind necessary for arriving at the truth in any subject, and in religious matters as well as others. By obeying Scripture, then, in practising humility and teachableness, it is evident we are at least in the way to arrive at the knowledge of God. On the other hand, impatient, proud, self-confident, obstinate men, are generally wrong in the opinions they form of persons and things. Prejudice and self-conceit blind the eyes and mislead the judgment, whatever be the subject inquired into. For instance, how often do men mistake the characters and misconstrue the actions of others! how often are they deceived in them! how often do the young form acquaintances injurious to their comfort and good! how often do men embark in foolish and ruinous schemes! how often do they squander their money, and destroy their worldly prospects! And what, I ask, is so frequent a cause of these many errors as wilfulness and presumption? The same thing happens also in religious inquiries. When I see a person hasty and violent, harsh and high-minded, careless of what others feel, and disdainful of what they think;—when I see such a one {114} proceeding to inquire into religious subjects, I am sure beforehand he cannot go right—he will not be led into all the truth—it is contrary to the nature of things and the experience of the world, that he should find what he is seeking. I should say the same were he seeking to find out what to believe or do in any other matter not religious,—but especially in any such important and solemn inquiry; for the fear of the Lord (humbleness, teachableness, reverence towards Him) is the very beginning of wisdom, as Solomon tells us; it leads us to think over things modestly and honestly, to examine patiently, to bear doubt and uncertainty, to wait perseveringly for an increase of light, to be slow to speak, and to be deliberate in deciding."

Even if I am a complete dolt and dullard, God loves even those and if I do my part I should be able to find the light as easily as a genius. It is necessary to use the mind you have to its fullest but God is open to all. To think otherwise is evil.

"All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman; and however we deceive ourselves, as dear unto God is the poor peasant as the mighty prince." PLATO

[seadogg]

The problem with people who start with "I believe" and go on to propound their dogma is that they tend to assume all other paths are wrong or evil.

[mibn2cweus]

There is a 'lie' in 'believe'. To believe without question is to embrace the lie concealed within.