Post by dan on Jul 15, 2007 22:46:35 GMT -5
Someone included a link to the "Petition to God" and I am interested in responding to it. Here's the link to the petition: mwillett.org/atheism/Petition-to-God.htm
First of all, there is not always a need to see something in order to know that it is real. For instance, if we find an arrowhead lying on the ground, we conclude that it was carved out by a human, even though we never actually see the human.
In the same way, the information found in the genetic code of biological life, as well as the beauty and marvel of our universe, shows us that an Intelligent Being exists.
When you observe a painting, you know that an artist exists, without needing to see the artist. Can you imagine someone spending his whole life trying to determine whether or not an artist actually exists when a beautifully designed painting lies right in front of him?
"For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).
Secondly, God has appeared to us, in the form of Jesus Christ, who proved that he was Divine by the well-documented fact of his resurrection from the dead. See geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/8449/res3.html
Finally, God will appear on the world scene, when Christ visibly returns to earth to set things straight. "Then the sign of the Son of Man [Jesus] will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30).
"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matthew 16:27).
The point is that we have all committed wrong actions, making us guilty of breaking God's law. This is why we are in danger of eternal punishment. We can easily accept and understand this fact before knowing right away which religion is correct. If God exists, he would obviously show those who are willing how to get on good terms with him.
God is not obligated to "show everybody" his existence more clearly, especially since not everyone would be willing to accept him anyway if he did! "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31). In other words, some people may get all the evidence in the world and still refuse to submit to Jesus Christ, because it is often an issue of the heart rather than of evidence.
Know that if God exists, he would never send someone to hell who doesn't deserve it. God will show everyone who is willing what they need to know to be saved, as he has to many already. "If anyone wills to do God's will, he will find out whether my [Jesus] teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17). "And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
We, the undersigned, hereby demand that the being known as “God” (whichever version of “God” you may be), make an appearance, here on earth, and prove to us that you exist.
First of all, there is not always a need to see something in order to know that it is real. For instance, if we find an arrowhead lying on the ground, we conclude that it was carved out by a human, even though we never actually see the human.
In the same way, the information found in the genetic code of biological life, as well as the beauty and marvel of our universe, shows us that an Intelligent Being exists.
When you observe a painting, you know that an artist exists, without needing to see the artist. Can you imagine someone spending his whole life trying to determine whether or not an artist actually exists when a beautifully designed painting lies right in front of him?
"For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).
Secondly, God has appeared to us, in the form of Jesus Christ, who proved that he was Divine by the well-documented fact of his resurrection from the dead. See geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/8449/res3.html
Finally, God will appear on the world scene, when Christ visibly returns to earth to set things straight. "Then the sign of the Son of Man [Jesus] will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30).
"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matthew 16:27).
We feel that this is a reasonable demand, as many major religions declare that our place of eternal residence depends on belief in “God”. Billions of people either believe in the wrong “God”, or no “God” at all.
The point is that we have all committed wrong actions, making us guilty of breaking God's law. This is why we are in danger of eternal punishment. We can easily accept and understand this fact before knowing right away which religion is correct. If God exists, he would obviously show those who are willing how to get on good terms with him.
We feel that it is important for everyone to know the truth, once and for all. We will not hold our breath waiting, but the more time that goes by, the more we will know that either you don't exist or that you don't care. Here is your chance to show everyone, once and for all, and to leave no doubt about it whatsoever.
God is not obligated to "show everybody" his existence more clearly, especially since not everyone would be willing to accept him anyway if he did! "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31). In other words, some people may get all the evidence in the world and still refuse to submit to Jesus Christ, because it is often an issue of the heart rather than of evidence.
Besides, it would be mighty nice of you, considering that our eternal fates depend on it.
Know that if God exists, he would never send someone to hell who doesn't deserve it. God will show everyone who is willing what they need to know to be saved, as he has to many already. "If anyone wills to do God's will, he will find out whether my [Jesus] teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17). "And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).