Doesn't the choice that the christian god gives humans, sound more like blackmail?

If it were another human being who made you this "offer", you'd file a restraining order against them...

We are made in the image of God and the Angels, which includes our ability to love. God very often in Scripture using the analogy of the family unit as a method of teaching. Just as a human father would disipline and teach his children, so is the same with God. This is a teaching method. If someone tells you not to try to understand God because the concept is too big for you brain, then you are speaking to a biblically illiterate idiot. Perhaps you should hold your opinion for when you speak to someone who is knowledgeable of Gods Word, Gods mandates and Gods common sense teaching. Here is a thought for you: There is exactly the same amount of evidence that no God exists as there is that God does exist, so I suggest very strongly that you be at least 50% respectful and at least 50% open-minded. Why? Because you have obviously not tried to have a relationship with God, nor do you have any idea of the Scriptures that God sent so that you would not be confused like you are. The teachings are clear and full of wisdom and common sense. You choose to listen to any person no matter how unlearned they may be, who might try to answer your questions the best they know how, but you are taking whatever they say and holding it against a hundred million people. Instead of doing that, why not learn something yourself instead of mocking something you do not understand? Example: I still see Churches teaching that you will end up in a burning pit called hell and there forever and ever your flesh will burn and you will scream in agony. Ever hear that? Well, this would come from someone who does not understand Greek Idioms so commonly used in Scripture. Those who think they are headed for hell, are according to the manuscripts, headed for a classroom - THEY WILL BE TAUGHT, NOT BURNED. And yes, as a parent if my child does wrong, I respond by teaching the child, not by causing my child horrible pain. If you wish to condemn your own Creator, thats your business, but its only sensible to understand why you are condemning Him and yourself when you are doing it because some idiot said something stupid. If I say something stupid about eating food, will you stop eating? If I say something stupid about working or driving a car, will you stop driving and quit your job? Then why would you react this way because some idiot said something stupid about our Lord? No offense, but that seems kinda immature.

I was thinking about this issue last night from a different angle.

The idea is that we are inherently rebellious, sinners, and rightly deserving of punishment. Okay, let's grant that for the sake of discussion. Now, the judge offers forgiveness; he offers clemency. Why the need for anyone to be punished at all? Forgiveness doesn't mean that somene else pays for your crime; forgiveness means that the debt of the crime is wiped clean by the presiding judge and no one pays for it at any time. So if God as the presiding judge of the cosmos really wants to forgive us, he'll just forgive us. No one anywhere has to die.

The opens up this sort of rehabilitative model of divine justice and mercy, and this really makes more sense to me as a 21st century American. Even though I don't believe in the Christian god, the notion that we get clemency if we seek clemency makes sense, but only if that clemency comes with a divinely ordained rehab program! You don't get to beg for clemency and then go right on doing what you've always done. You make the effort to rehabilitate yourself, to better yourself, and get on with life free and clear as a happy, well-adjusted, and pardoned human being.

Of course, I don't believe in god, and I don't believe we are all inherently rebellious, sinful, god-hating monsters, so this is all purely academic.

This whole scenario to me sounds a bit like someone holding a gun to a person's head and saying "say you love me, you have the free will to refuse but you will be making me pull the trigger if you refuse to say it." Then again there is something off about the whole premise of an all powerful, benevolent perfect being created humans in its image yet with natures that it finds quite unacceptable in many instances. If we were created by a perfect and all powerful being in its image wouldn't our natures be quite similar and our natures and desires? I think religions do have some messages for humans in them and symbolic meaning but its to me far out that people take it as literally true. So no, I don't think the religion does make a lot of rational sense.

>Doesn't the choice that the christian god gives humans, sound more like blackmail?

Nnnnooooo ѕhit.

>Does ANY of this make rational sense to anyone?

Nope.

>Sheesh, I'm getting a headache just trying to think down to a level where you people are here....

Well, you can start here:

http://www.fstdt.net/

Of course, you're free to consider it blackmail, but you're free to do whatever you please.

The thing is, the reality is, there are only two choices. It's like the electric company says "pay your bill, or be plunged into darkness." No one calls this blackmail. Yet there is no third option. Pay your electric bill or be plunged into darkness. Why should they provide light to someone who doesn't pay for it. No third option.

So what you in your childish, spoiled, and immature way call blackmail is simply reality. There's two options. Grow up and pick one.

Does the pot have any right to question the potter? Where were you when all things came into being? Surely, you in your arrogant hubris must know all things and define the nature of reality? If God created what is real, who are you to re define it so you can be a god in your own mind?

The choice is simple: want to exist by living by Me, or separate yourself from the source of all, and die?

Until you can transcend the curse of pride and ego, you will die and never have a chance to exist again.

Your an Atheist and you say this? your proof God has given you a choice, if your not wanting to accept it that's up to you No?

It is not about rejecting God it is about how you live your life,if you believe and follow God then your going to do his will not your own and his will is that we all show mercy and live with love, only evil would say that's a bad thing.

Besides God is known for his great mercy and your not on the stand yet, He has not condemned you, but your own conscience has by the sounds of it, You like all of us still have HOPE.

Jesus volunteered to die. He wasn't held down by God on the cross. He wanted to know what we felt on earth so He could relate to our pain . You don't have kids, do you.? It makes it more understandable from a parents point of view. Surely you have suffered so bad at some point and questioned how you got through it? I see how frustrating it is to try to get to this level...hope you will try.

Of course. But no Christian would ever admit to the glaring illusion of "Free Will" they have.

Let me elaborate thumbs-downers:

You can punch someone for demeaning your god, or you can walk away. Now, you, the pompous, arrogant god-fearer, naturally believe that your personal deity is on your side right? So you punch back, with words or fists. Let's say the person you are arguing with attempts to punch you back. God will save you right? Okay, so fast forward an hour, the right side of your face hurts, your facedown on the concrete sidewalk, and your wallet and shoes are gone.

OR

A magic white beam of light intercepts the punch. Simultaneously saving you and proving to the nonbiliever a one true god exists. Hmmm...

Arewethereyet-

In your case, you imagine a silent voice telling you he will catch you. So you step off.

NO

It makes no sense to me that you, who claim to be an atheist, are even concerned. I surely do not waste my time dwelling on things I do not believe in. Why do you?

You supposedly do onot believe in Heaven or Hell. Again, why waste your time asking about it? Why not go read a Science book or something? Try to prove that The Big Bang is correct.

:)

GOD gives us a choice because He DOES love us and will not force anyone to do anything.