Why would an Atheist ask God for help understanding the Bible?

I consider myself about as Christian as they come, and I have to admit that I would not ask an atheist to read the bible as a starting point for finding faith. There are many aspects of the bible that are not apparent to the average reader (especially in this day in age). Yes, you can ask God for guidance, but it's not like you're magically going to be able to understand an extraordinarily complex book just like that. If you are OPEN to help, it would be more likely that God would send you a knowledgeable person, or an informative study guide.

In any case, based on the way you asked your question, reading the bible would be the last thing I would ask someone like yourself to do. First you need to open your mind a bit. Atheists are not the only ones who think natural phenomena have rational explantions. I certainly do. The way I see it, the idea that there is no God is what's irrational and illogical.

In fairness there are christians that say dumb things. I don't deny that. But that doesn't mean that God doesn't exist. Truth is independent of what anyone says or thinks.

I find it remarkable that someone would state that "Faith in God comes naturally"; I'm 100% positive that if I had never heard of the Christian religion or had any concept of the Bible etc. that I wouldn't have faith in that God.

Anyways, the problem with people telling you that in order to have faith in God you must read and understand the Bible is that this doesn't make sense.

Consider that the Bible that Christians read was written by men, by human hands. Yes, perhaps there was divine intervention guiding their hands, but if that was the case, then why are their four testaments about what happened to Jesus? Granted, apparently it was an important part of the Bible, but if that were so, why wouldn't God have just made the author say "This is the most important part of the Bible"?

So, the Bible is not requisite to having faith in God. If you lived on a deserted island with a preacher who told you all about God, and you believed, are you still going to be sent to Hell because you didn't read the Bible? Of course not.

So, basically, the Bible is not requisite to have faith in God. Also, the Bible provides conflicting messages anyways. If you sit down and read everything, and I mean everything, without glossing over the brutal and bloody parts, there are a lot of contradictory messages and circular logic that could actually prevent someone from believing in God.

I do see the problem. Your thinking is irrational. Faith in God comes naturally. Meaning- faith does not come by a book or by what someone tells you. Faith comes from you and God. No one or no book can give you or make you have faith. Its all about you. God does send people to pass through your life and plant seeds. God does prepare your heart. God does call you when you are prepared and open to him. A bible doesn't do this.

You are either called by God or you aren't.

God might have a different plan in mind for the atheist. He may call you on your death bed. He may change your heart this second. I can not rationalize for you what is beyond your comprehension at this state in your existence. Why would you expect Christians to be able to.

Your logical observations are really very wrong. Faith has nothing to do with the Bible.

In order to understand the Bible? I don't get that phrase. Can you not understand it? Perhaps get one in your language. You should be able to understand it. Perhaps you don't agree with it or follow its principles. If you can not understand it, how do you know if you agree with it or not. I think you are mistaken. I think what you meant is that it has no meaning or relevance in your life. That is if you actually did read it and could understand it and have logically came to that conclusion based on its text.

What you aren't getting from the Bible is the power of its living message. To a believer the Bible meets you where you are at and its words change your life.

Asking God for guidance- no you don't have to have faith. I don't get why an atheist would even wonder about these things. Why would you ever want to ask God for guidance?

Anyway- anyone can ask God for guidance. He doesn't shut you out- you have shut him out. There is a big difference.

How do you get that God is irrational? Can you rationally explain away God. That is a very irrational and ill thought out statement. Because you can't see him- he doesn't exist. Is that your rational. Lets not go down that path.

If seeing is believing we could have a field day with the existence of all sorts of things.

I'd like to here the rational from atheist as to why God is irrational. By the way- to state that "God is irrational" is by all accounts stating a belief in God. You just think God is irrational. Hummm?

THe bibles both old and new testament are easily demonstrated to be nothing more than plagiarized stories from far older religions, virgin birth, mangods, walking on water, everything accredited to the Character Jesus is older than his supposed existence by thousands of years in most cases. As for the OT, Israel has spent a veritable fortune trying to verify any of its stories and has failed miserable. Not only have they failed to offer supporting evidence but have actually proved that such as Exodus never happened. The latter is generally taken as a version of the expulsion of the Hyksos from upper Egypt, the Ark story was never a remote possibility and king Davids palace was about the size of a nice Mexican Hacienda, and like the latter built of mud bricks.

In order to learn and progress in your knowledge, you have to acknowledge that some (not saying all) of your current opinions and preconceived notions could be wrong. That's not an insult, it's a basic requirement of obtaining knowledge.

Atheism is not part of your identity, it's an opinion and belief. You've chosen it based on the knowledge you currently have, and your current way of thinking. The question is, are you more committed to your opinion or to the truth, no matter what it is? And are you willing to change your opinions if you get knowledge that goes against them?

If you ask for a method of doing something (ie, reading the Bible), and you say "the method is impossible." What can anyone do or say to you?

Your assumptions are incorrect. God is not irrational. However, it IS silly to expect a nonbeliever to think like a believer. Basically all we can do is show you the way and give you the opportunity to change your ways. Once we have done that, you are no longer our concern. However, you are ALSO not the only person here who does not YET know God. Other people deserve to have the information that you have rejected. Do not deny them the right to make their own choice.

There is no problem, I see only grace

An Atheist has no need to be born again, they have not been corrupted by traditions of men, nor have they been taught by false teachers. To be born again is to forget everything you have been taught about God and learn it agan from the beginning. with the truth this time.

I really don't understand how an atheist can look at the wonders of the universe and feel that there is not intelligence behind the creation of it all. Look at the intricacies of the heavens, of the earth, look at your own hand. How can you really and truly believe it is all an accident? Even if you feel there was a big bang, where did the material come from for the big bang?

I see your problem and that of ALL Atheist...the problem is that you all seek to make yourselves and everything around you a god by by irrational self-centered thoughts and behaviors. But your hearts and minds do desperately seek to know the one and only true God. Your souls seek to have that special communion with the creator God. Your soul is being guided from seek to leave the darkness in which you find yourselves.

Atheist don't believe because they don't know the true God and creator of all the seem and the unseen.

Believer: You need to ask for God's help.

Atheist: That's impossible. I don't believe in god.

Believer: That's because you haven't given your heart to Him.

Atheist: I can't give him anything because I don't believe he exists!

Believer: Well, he can't help you unless you let him, you know.

Atheist (bangs head against wall)....