Belief Is Not A Choice

[nailit]

Our beliefs (or non-beliefs even) are based upon our present understanding of available evidence at any given moment in time.

I don't believe in fairies because I am not presented with any evidence (at this moment in time) that would satisfy me that fairies exist. That could change if evidence became apparent, or even a possibility!
Likewise for Unicorns, Thor, the Bermuda Triangle or Dracula.

So the question is, how can I believe in something that I evidently *CAN'T* believe in?
I dont dismiss the Bible/God/Christianity etc because I WANT to. I dismiss it all because I CAN'T.
What is so hard to understand?

What would make an atheist a believer?
I dont know. But an Almighty, Supreme being would know. And he hasn't showed up yet to convince me....

[Theland]

Good answer.
Many universities and hospitals were founded by Christians.

[jourdain2]

At the risk of starting all this up again - I automatically believed what I was told as a child. I then (obviously) hit teens, rebellion, exposure to many ideas in numbrous areas and became agnostic, if not atheistic (certainly flirted with the concept) enjoying the freedom to explore faiths and ideas. Then (I was about 32) I wasn't given the choice NOT to believe! (Very personal, would prefer to keep it to myself.) This won't really help you Nailit, unless it is to say that your struggles are well known by other people - who have eventually found faith. I really hope you do.... :)

[naomi24]

Theland, why do you depend on other people to advise you? What information do they have that you don't? Anyone who is interpreting that verse to mean anything other than what it clearly states is making it up.

[jim360]

At least one alternative translation of that verse uses "calamity" in place of "evil". Which is better I can't say, but what I *can* say is that there is more subtlety to the verse than you're giving it credit for, hence the various commentaries all explaining in great detail, based on the context etc etc, why you should be careful not to read too much into the "evil".

Then again, clearly subtlety in language has never been your forte, so...

[naomi24]

//subtlety in language has never been your forte, so... //

I beg to differ. I read you loud and clear, Jim.

[jim360]

Evidently not, the amount of times you've mistaken meaning (eg, reading sincerity in sarcasm). Sometimes I haven't been as clear as I wanted, to be sure, but most of the time... although, I'm sure you aren't misreading me deliberately.

[Theland]

At last, somebody saying it as it is.

[naomi24]

Not interested.

[naomi24]

^That to Jim.

[jim360]

Interested enough to bother replying. I liked it better when I thought you were ignoring me :P

[Theland]

Smarting?

[naomi24]

I’ve no reason to smart Theland. If you want to stick a label on my apathy call it disdain.

You haven’t answered by question.

[naomi24]

My not by^

[1ozzy]

Thanks for putting a smile on my face Jim.

[Theland]

Naomi - You have made it clear you will never accept any answer of mine.

The 11th commandment - Thou shalt never be wrong.
(The cap fits you well.)

[naomi24]

I’ve said nothing of the sort Theland. You’re making it up again. Anything to avoid answering a straight question.

[vulcan42]

Jim you are falling into the same trap that Theland often finds himself. That of rearranging biblical text to suit what you want to say. How do you know there is more subtlety to that verse, how have you come to that conclusion ? you have referred to another translation, why do you think that is more accurate than the actual words of the bible?

[vulcan42]

Theland, the 11th commandment is thou shall not be found out, unfortunately you have.

[jim360]

I don't think I'm falling into any trap -- beyond taking the subject seriously, that is -- at all. As I mentioned, multiple Bible Commentaries have dealt with the verse and all point out the same thing, which is that "evil" has many meanings, and in this context it's not referring to moral evils.

[Peter Pedant]

did someone say Isaiah 45.7 ?
oo-er ! one of the most mistranslated
I was looking for the greek translation of 330 BC
LXX septuagint
but this stayed my hand

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/2016/02/20/mistranslated-and-misquoted-verses-isaiah-45-7/