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What would it take for the atheist to believe in God?

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  • What would it take for the atheist to believe in God?

    Here is a recent and clever atheist meme...

    "I don't know what it would take to convince me that God exists. But if God does exist, then He would know what it takes to convince me of His existence (and He should also be capable of accomplishing this task)."
    Any thoughts?
    Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s

  • #2
    I'm reminded of an old joke about two atheists and a Christian arguing over the existence of God. No matter what argument the Christian brought forth it was dismissed with a handwave and smug quotes from Dawkins and the like. The Christian was growing visibly frustrated and the atheists began mocking him by saying that it was two to one in favor of atheism so he lost.

    Starting to feel discouraged the Christian looked toward the sky and prayed for some sort of inconvertible evidence for God's existence while the two atheist kept laughing that it's "two to one -- you lose."

    Just then, the clouds parted and a celestial visage appeared in the sky and roared "Do not mock my servant for I am God and I exist!"

    Stunned the two atheists turned and looked at each other.

    Finally one turned, and after glancing heavenward, looked at the Christian, shrugged and said, "Fine. It's two to two. A tie."



    I'll be leaving now. No need to get up. I know my way out.
    Last edited by rogue06; 10-12-2021, 07:02 AM. Reason: two not tow

    I'm always still in trouble again

    "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
    "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
    "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
      I'm reminded of an old joke about two atheists and a Christian arguing over the existence of God. No matter what argument the Christian brought forth it was dismissed with a handwave and smug quotes from Dawkins and the like. The Christian was growing visibly frustrated and the atheists began mocking him by saying that it was two to one in favor of atheism so he lost.

      Starting to feel discouraged the Christian looked toward the sky and prayed for some sort of inconvertible evidence for God's existence while the two atheist kept laughing that it's "two to one -- you lose."

      Just then, the clouds parted and a celestial visage appeared in the sky and roared "Do not mock my servant for I am God and I exist!"

      Stunned the two atheists turned and looked at each other.

      Finally one turned, and after glancing heavenward, looked at the Christian, shrugged and said, "Fine. It's tow to two. A tie."



      I'll be leaving now. No need to get up. I know my way out.
      hehe...
      Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s

      Comment


      • #4
        Ask former atheists, that is exactly what happened to them. God doesn't work on our schedules or bow to our demands. And it takes an actual willingness and an open mind in order for that mind to be changed. There are those who don't want to believe there even might be a God. Their hearts are "hardened" )to use bible-jargon.)


        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Sparko View Post
          Ask former atheists, that is exactly what happened to them. God doesn't work on our schedules or bow to our demands. And it takes an actual willingness and an open mind in order for that mind to be changed. There are those who don't want to believe there even might be a God. Their hearts are "hardened" )to use bible-jargon.)
          I think the problem with the meme is the assumption that even if God did reveal Himself in an unmistakable way that the man would therefore love and obey Him.
          Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s

          Comment


          • #6
            What good would it do to convince an atheist that there is a God? Even the devils believe.

            You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. (James 2:19, NASB)
            I had mentioned my testimony on occasions, I think even here on this website. I was an atheist in my high school years. I came across several Christian classmates and even started attending their youth group. They tried to convince me with Christian evidences, or apologetics, that there was a God. Which didn't work. Meanwhile the Holy Spirit convicted me not that there was a God, but that He loved me, and sent His Son to die for me. And I gave in an trusted this God that I didn't believe in. That was back in 1968.

            And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
            When I Survey....

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by seer View Post

              I think the problem with the meme is the assumption that even if God did reveal Himself in an unmistakable way that the man would therefore love and obey Him.
              Hence post #2

              I'm always still in trouble again

              "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
              "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
              "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by seer View Post
                Here is a recent and clever atheist meme...
                .
                "I don't know what it would take to convince me that God exists. But if God does exist, then He would know what it takes to convince me of His existence (and He should also be capable of accomplishing this task)."


                Any thoughts?
                If you use indent tags, the quote won't disappear when folks are trying to reply. And by recent, looks like ya mean a formulation I remember from twenty years ago, and yeah, it was just as true then as it is now.

                But the real problem isn't winning the war, it's winning the peace. So now the atheist believes God exists. Which God? The Jewish God, maybe, a God that doesn't take kindly to folks elevating a human to a position of co-divinity? Or maybe the God of Islam, that starts out declaring God doesn't have partners. Or maybe my God, the Platonic ideal, a God that exists as an idea because all ideas exist.

                What about the God of Bob Tilton, or Joel Osteen, or Creflo Dollar?

                Or even the God of Heinlein's Fosterites?
                .
                “He should have known better because, early in his learnings under his brother Mahmoud, he had discovered that long human words (the longer the better) were easy, unmistakable, and rarely changed their meanings . . . but short words were slippery, unpredictable, changing their meanings without any pattern. Or so he seemed to grok. Short human words were never like a short Martian word—such as “grok” which forever meant exactly the same thing. Short human words were like trying to lift water with a knife. ― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Juvenal View Post

                  If you use indent tags, the quote won't disappear when folks are trying to reply. And by recent, looks like ya mean a formulation I remember from twenty years ago, and yeah, it was just as true then as it is now.

                  But the real problem isn't winning the war, it's winning the peace. So now the atheist believes God exists. Which God? The Jewish God, maybe, a God that doesn't take kindly to folks elevating a human to a position of co-divinity? Or maybe the God of Islam, that starts out declaring God doesn't have partners. Or maybe my God, the Platonic ideal, a God that exists as an idea because all ideas exist.

                  What about the God of Bob Tilton, or Joel Osteen, or Creflo Dollar?

                  Or even the God of Heinlein's Fosterites?
                  .
                  “He should have known better because, early in his learnings under his brother Mahmoud, he had discovered that long human words (the longer the better) were easy, unmistakable, and rarely changed their meanings . . . but short words were slippery, unpredictable, changing their meanings without any pattern. Or so he seemed to grok. Short human words were never like a short Martian word—such as “grok” which forever meant exactly the same thing. Short human words were like trying to lift water with a knife. ― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land
                  That would all be the second step or challenge after getting them to realize that God exists -- pointing them in the right direction.

                  I'm always still in trouble again

                  "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                  "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                  "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by seer View Post
                    Here is a recent and clever atheist meme...



                    Any thoughts?


                    Maybe God has more leniency during times like these...like during this information age where there is so much conflicting information.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by seer View Post
                      Here is a recent and clever atheist meme...

                      "I don't know what it would take to convince me that God exists. But if God does exist, then He would know what it takes to convince me of His existence (and He should also be capable of accomplishing this task)."

                      Any thoughts?
                      My answer is "How do you know this hasn't already happened, but you're proud and stubborn to accept it?"
                      Some may call me foolish, and some may call me odd
                      But I'd rather be a fool in the eyes of man
                      Than a fool in the eyes of God


                      From "Fools Gold" by Petra

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                        I'm reminded of an old joke about two atheists and a Christian arguing over the existence of God. No matter what argument the Christian brought forth it was dismissed with a handwave and smug quotes from Dawkins and the like. The Christian was growing visibly frustrated and the atheists began mocking him by saying that it was two to one in favor of atheism so he lost.

                        Starting to feel discouraged the Christian looked toward the sky and prayed for some sort of inconvertible evidence for God's existence while the two atheist kept laughing that it's "two to one -- you lose."

                        Just then, the clouds parted and a celestial visage appeared in the sky and roared "Do not mock my servant for I am God and I exist!"

                        Stunned the two atheists turned and looked at each other.

                        Finally one turned, and after glancing heavenward, looked at the Christian, shrugged and said, "Fine. It's two to two. A tie."



                        I'll be leaving now. No need to get up. I know my way out.
                        Reminds me of this:

                        After Eden show me a sign.jpg
                        Some may call me foolish, and some may call me odd
                        But I'd rather be a fool in the eyes of man
                        Than a fool in the eyes of God


                        From "Fools Gold" by Petra

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by seer View Post
                          Here is a recent and clever atheist meme...



                          Any thoughts?
                          "It ain't necessarily so
                          The things that you're liable
                          To read in the Bible
                          It ain't necessarily so
                          ."

                          Sportin' Life
                          Porgy & Bess, DuBose Heyward, George & Ira Gershwin

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                            That would all be the second step or challenge after getting them to realize that God exists -- pointing them in the right direction.
                            And which direction is the right direction?
                            "It ain't necessarily so
                            The things that you're liable
                            To read in the Bible
                            It ain't necessarily so
                            ."

                            Sportin' Life
                            Porgy & Bess, DuBose Heyward, George & Ira Gershwin

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Hypatia_Alexandria View Post

                              And which direction is the right direction?
                              John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

                              Comment

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