Why I Don't Like God

Response to comment [from other]: "[S]till small voice"

A still small voice will not disagree with the word of God.  If it does, it is not of God (2 Cor 11:14).  Your worldview is not biblical (e.g. belief in evolution and "millions of years").  You think God can create the universe but he cannot ensure his word endures?  Is God not capable of speaking through men?  When you do not believe that the world was created as God said it was created (Ge 1:1), the foundations are gone.  Satan would rather have you believe a lie than sin. 

"God...the infallible and perfect creator of the entire universe and everything in it...can't speak for himself...so he gets humans to speak for him...knowing full well how fallible and imperfect they are?"

Because men are imperfect, it does not of necessity mean that God's message was made imperfect.  God shows men as they are, warts and all.  Because men act a certain way in the Bible, it does not mean that God condones their behavior.

""All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (Ti 3:16-17, NKJV)."

* The Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

* The Bible is made up of 66 different books that were written over 1600 years (from approximately 1500 BC to AD 100) by more than 40 kings, prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus. The Old Testament has 39 books (written approximately 1500-400 BC). The New Testament has 27 books (written approximately AD 45-100). The Hebrew Bible has the same text as the English Bible's Old Testament, but divides an and arranges it differently.

* The Old Testament was written mainly in Hebrew, with some Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek.

* The books of the Bible were collected and arranged and recognized as inspired sacred authority by councils of rabbis and councils of church leaders based on careful guidelines.

* Before the printing press was invented, the Bible was copied by hand. the Bible was copied very accurately, in many cases by special scribes who developed intricate methods of counting words and letter to insure that no error had been made.

* The Bible was the first book ever printed on the printing press with moveable type (Gutenberg Press, 1455, Latin Bible).

* There is much evidence that the Bible we have today is remarkably true to the original writings. Of the thousands of copies made by hand before AD 1500, more than 5,300 Greek manuscripts from the New Testament alone still exist today. The test of the Bible is better preserved than the writings of Caesar, Plato, or Aristotle.

* The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed the astonishing reliability of some of the copies of the Old testament made over the years. Although some spelling variations exist, no variation affects basic Bible doctrines.

* As the Bible was carried to other countries, it was translated into the common language of the people by scholars who wanted to know God's Word. Today there are still 2,000 groups with no Bible in their own language.

* By AD 200, the Bible was translated into seven languages; by AD 500, 13 languages; by AD 900, 17 languages; by AD 1400, 28 languages; by 1800, 57 languages; by 1900, 537 languages; by 1980, 1,100 languages...

See:

How We Got the Bible

Response to comment [from an atheist]:  "I think the people that wrote the Bible could have done a better job."

Because their personalities are retained in God's message, it lends credibility to scripture being inspired by God.  God could have delivered his message verbatim but he chose not to.  No man would write the book because it does not put man in a good light.  It calls him the sinner that he is (Ps 53:3).  The message of redemption rubs men the wrong way and for different reasons (1 Cor 1:23).  It does not appeal to man (Isa 55:8).

"So...being saved is not a "good light"?"

Then you admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior?

"Isn't that what the Bible is about -- man has issues, but there is hope?"

Man must admit who he is--a sinner. 

"Where did I say that?"

You didn't.  You do not agree with God about his appraisal of man?  (Ro 3:12).

"Then why do you try to put words in my mouth? Because you're a Serpent?

I don't mean to put words in your mouth, I'm asking questions.  You had mentioned "good news" and I agree--grace has appeared to all men (([Ti 2:11] that's good)  but if you do not receive Christ, there is no hope ([Heb 2:3] that's bad).

No, I am not a serpent.

Why did you pick a nic' that symbolizes evil? Freudian slip? Are you trying to tell us something? Or do you really have that low opinion of yourself? Wouldn't a low opinion of yourself explain why you need God -- to make something out of you, ...

"...to make you feel special...even superior?"

I do not think I am superior. 

I'll trust my personal relationship.

That sounds Christian enough, but--a personal relationship with the God of the Bible?  Or a god of your own making?  "Man's own religion usually descends to the fleshly life to which they themselves practice (Jim Andrews)."  God is holy (Ex 15:11; 1Sa 2:2).

"Each of us has his own idea of what that reality."

Why is your reality any better than my reality?  Why should anyone trust your reality? 

"How long is a "day" here?"

6 literal days "yom".  That is clear in scripture.

"...The story of the fall may very well be a symbol/metaphor.."

Exactly, if you cannot believe God from the first verse of the Bible, you can apply symbols to the resurrection, and so on. 

"...The entire notion of a "savior" ..."

You make my point--see where bad doctrine leads?  No need for a cross...no need for a Savior.  The entire foundation of the Bible is undermined. 

"[Y]ou have no credibility with me..."

Don't believe me.  Test all things by the word of God (1 Thes 5:21). 

Response to comment [from other]:  "[W]hen they're ready..."

God commands men to repent today (Josh 24:15)--not tomorrow or the next day.  We are not guaranteed another day.  No one should presume upon God's grace.

"Your reality is better for you than mine is.  My reality is better for me than yours is."

There is one reality for all.  There is one truth for all.  Everything else is false (Jn 14:6).  God is the ultimate authority in our lives and he is holy (Ex 15:11; 1Sa 2:2).

[Day "yom"]  "[[H]e [God] didn't write the Bible...the Bible wasn't written until thousands of years after the fact by humans. You say you don't trust man's word...but, in fact, you have invested your entire life in it."

Men wrote the scriptures which were inspired by God (2Ti 3:16).  The Bible is not man's wisdom.  It is God's wisdom (1Co 2:13).  The scriptures are able to make men wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Ti 3:15).

"Scares ya, doesn't it? No more nice neat order...no more cosmic justice. Scares ya enuff to want to believe in just about anything to avoid having to face the possibility. You want everyone else to be as scared as you are. But they aren't."

You'd better find out if it's true (1 Cor 15:14).  Christians who know the Lord have peace (Phil 4:7).  It is the unredeemed man who lives in fear (Isa 48:22).

[1 Thes 5:21] "The word of God comes to me through conversations. I test all things by those."

Who are you speaking with?  (2 Cor 11:14).

Response to comment [from a Christian]:  "The Bible is not scientifically accurate..."

So where science and scripture disagree you believe science?  Then, science is your god.

"There is no firmament in the sky..."

Genesis 1:6–8
"On the first day the earth was still of dominantly watery aspect. Other materials were in solution or suspension, presumably with the water mainly in the liquid state. Some of these waters were to be separated from the greater mass of waters, however, and placed high above the rotating globe, with a great space separating them from the waters below. The lower waters would provide the water base for living flesh and for earth processes, the upper waters would provide a sort of protective canopy (“a tent to dwell in”) for earth’s inhabitants, and the space between would provide an atmospheric reservoir to maintain the breath of life.
The power required to effect such a tremendous separation once again came from God’s spoken Word: “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters.…”
The word “firmament” is the Hebrew raqia, meaning “expanse,” or “spread-out-thinness.” It may well be synonymous with our modern technical term “space,” practically the same as discussed earlier in connection with the meaning of “heaven.” In fact, this passage specifically says that “God called the firmament Heaven.…”
This statement seems to confirm the fact that “firmament” and “heaven” are essentially synonymous terms, both meaning “space”—either space in general or a particular region of space, depending on context. There are three particular “heavens” mentioned in Scripture: the atmospheric heaven (Jeremiah 4:25), the sidereal heaven (Isaiah 13:10), and the heaven of God’s throne (Hebrews 9:24). Likewise the term “firmament” is used in each of these same three ways (Genesis 1:17, 20; Ezekiel 1:22). The term “heaven of heavens” is also used frequently (2 Chronicles 2:6), referring probably to the entire universe, the space comprising all spaces.
The firmament referred to in this particular passage is obviously the atmosphere. Unfortunately the English word has been interpreted by many to refer to a solid dome across the sky; consequently this idea has been used by liberal critics as evidence of the “prescientific” out-look of Genesis. Neither the original Hebrew word nor any of the passages in which it occurs suggest such an idea, however. A “firmament” is simply “thin, stretched-out space.”
Separated by this firmament, or atmosphere, the two bodies of water henceforth were ready for their essential functions in sustaining future life on the earth. The actual process of separation was possibly implemented by converting a portion of the liquid water into the vapor state, perhaps through application of divine heat energy. The reactions so induced on the watery suspension also released the other gaseous components of the atmosphere, which became the “firmament” holding up the lighter water vapor above.
The “waters above the firmament” thus probably constituted a vast blanket of water vapor above the troposphere and possibly above the stratosphere as well, in the high-temperature region now known as the ionosphere, and extending far into space. They could not have been the clouds of water droplets which now float in the atmosphere, because the Scripture says they were “above the firmament.” Furthermore, there was no “rain upon the earth” in those days (Genesis 2:5), nor any “bow in the cloud” (Genesis 9:13), both of which must have been present if these upper waters represented merely the regime of clouds which functions in the present hydrologic economy.
The concept of an antediluvian water canopy over the earth has appeared in many writings, both ancient and modern. A number of writers have visualized it as a system of rings like those of the planet Saturn, composed possibly of ice particles orbiting the earth. Others have described it as an orbiting “shell” of ice or liquid water. Some have thought of it merely as dense banks of clouds surrounding the earth, possibly analogous to the cloud cover around the planet Venus (the latter, however, is now believed to be composed of carbon dioxide rather than water).
A vapor canopy seems more likely, however, both because of the inferred manner of its formation and because it would have to be transparent in order for the heavenly bodies to “give light upon the earth” and to “be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Genesis 1:14, 15). Water vapor, even in vast amounts, is invisible, whereas clouds, fog, and so forth, are composed of minute droplets of liquid water and are therefore opaque.
Furthermore, a vapor canopy could be more easily maintained aloft and would serve much more effectively as a marvelous sustainer of vigorous life conditions on the earth. It can be shown that such a canopy would accomplish the following services, for example:
(1)     Since water vapor has the ability both to transmit incoming solar radiation and to retain and disperse much of the radiation reflected from the earth’s surface, it would serve as a global greenhouse, maintaining an essentially uniformly pleasant warm temperature all over the world.
(2)     With nearly uniform temperatures, great air-mass movements would be inhibited and windstorms would be unknown.
(3)     With no global air circulation, the hydrologic cycle of the present world could not be implemented and there could be no rain, except directly over the bodies of water from which it might have evaporated.
(4)     With no global air circulation, and therefore no turbulence or dust particles transported to the upper atmosphere, the water vapor in the canopy would have been stable and not precipitate itself.
(5)     The planet would have been maintained not only at uniform temperatures but also at comfortable uniform humidities by means of daily local evaporation and condensation (like dew, or ground fog) in each day-night cycle.
(6)     The combination of warm temperature and adequate moisture everywhere would be conducive later to extensive stands of lush vegetation all over the world, with no barren deserts or ice caps.
(7)     A vapor canopy would also be highly effective in filtering out ultraviolet radiations, cosmic rays, and other destructive energies from outer space. These are known to be the source of both somatic and genetic mutations, which decrease the viability of the individual and the species, respectively. Thus the canopy would contribute effectively to human and animal health and longevity.
(8)     Some have objected to the idea of a heavy vapor canopy because of the great increase in atmospheric pressure which it would cause at the earth’s surface. Rather than being a problem, however, this effect would contribute still further to health and longevity. Modern biomedical research is increasingly proving that such “hyperbaric” pressures are very effective in combating disease and in promoting good health generally. There should be no problem in organisms living under high external pressures, provided their internal pressures had time to adjust correspondingly.
(9)     Later, when needed, these upper waters would provide the reservoir from which God would send the great Flood, to save the godly remnant from the hopelessly corrupt population of that day (the content of water vapor in the present atmosphere, if all precipitated, would cover the earth only to a depth of about one inch).
Although the waters above the firmament were condensed and precipitated in the Flood, they will apparently be restored in the millennial earth and in the new earth which God will create. Psalm 148:4, 6 speaks of the “waters that be above the heavens” which, like the stars, will be established “for ever and ever.”
Morris, H. M. (1976). The Genesis record : A scientific and devotional commentary on the book of beginnings. Includes indexes. (58). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

"The text makes no sense if it is meaning round earth. You can not translate a text by looking up word for word in a dictionary, the text as a whole must make sense. God is sitting above the earth, where?"

 [Isa 40:22]

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in [Isa. 40:22].
"The Old Testament does not teach that the earth is flat; but scientists in the days of Columbus taught this theory. Those so-called scientists did not pay attention to the Word of God in that day, and they missed something. And I think scientists are missing something today. It is clearly stated in this verse that the earth is a sphere, a circle positioned in an even greater universe, and that God’s throne is far beyond the penetration of the most powerful telescopes as they search out the limitless vault of space."
McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (3:286). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[Prov 8:24-27]

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth [Prov. 8:24–27].
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
“When he set a compass upon the face of the depth.” It is interesting that the scientists used to speak of a square universe, but God has always said it is a circle. You and I live in a world that is round, and we are going around our planetary system. And we belong to a galactic system which is a circle. All of these circles are circling around!"
McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (3:33). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[Job 22:14]

Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven [Job 22:13–14].
“Job, you don’t see Him, but He sees you and knows about you.”
Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:
Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? [Job 22:15–17].
It is always the same old argument which we heard at the beginning. He rests everything upon some experience that he has had. He can say, “I have seen the wicked.”
Now Eliphaz gives a gospel plea here, but it is something which Job didn’t need, because he occupied a redeemed relationship. He could say, “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25)."
McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (2:628). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Why do you call yourself a Christian when you do not believe the word of God?  What do you think about Jesus?  

Response to comment [from other]:  "I don't have to presume anything. God let me in on a few "secrets"...that aren't really "secrets" at all...just things that folks aren't ready yet to learn."

We do not add to the word of God (Pr 30:6).  God's word is settled in heaven (Ps 119:89, Mt 5:18).

"Part of that Deut 13:1-18 test is: Will you simply trust & obey god's word, or will you walk in a way that blindly trusts & follows people who claim to be Christians (Matt 7:21-23), those claiming to have a "special revelation or word from God" for you or others (but their beliefs are not in line with God's word); or prophecies (that don't come true); visions (that don't line up with God's word 100%); Hearing the audible voice of Jesus (but what they actually believe does not line up with God's word); People who claim they've seen & been with Jesus— or claim to have been to heaven or hell (but the story doesn't match up with God's word 100%). Remember, some of these false teachers prophecies might come true— don't be deceived.  Believe & obey God's word only...

...1 John 4:1 "Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. There are many false prophets in the world..."

...1 Thes 5:21 "Test everything that is said.  Hold on to what is good..."

...Rom 16:17-18 “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words.  They deceive innocent people..."  Full text:  False Teachers and False Prophets

"You're imperfect and fallible...yet you're claiming perfectly infallible spiritual insight?"

No I'm not.  I am claiming that God's word is inspired (2 Pet. 1:21) and living and active in the life of the believer (Heb. 4:12).

"Who said they [scriptures] were inspired by God? Other humans?"

No.  God did.

The Scriptures:
 
1.     Given by inspiration of God. 2Ti 3:16.
2.     Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21.
3.     Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them. Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42.
4.     Christ taught out of. Lu 24:27.
5.     Are called the
a.     Word. Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2.
b.     Word of God. Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12.
c.     Word of Christ. Col 3:16.
d.     Word of truth. Jas 1:18.
e.     Holy Scriptures. Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15.
f.     Scripture of truth. Da 10:21.
g.     Book. Ps 40:7; Re 22:19.
h.     Book of the Lord. Isa 34:16.
i.     Book of the law. Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10.
j.     Law of the Lord. Ps 1:2; Isa 30:9.
k.     Sword of the Spirit. Eph 6:17.
l.     Oracles of God. Ro 3:2; 1Pe 4:11.
6.     Contain the promises of the gospel. Ro 1:2.
7.     Reveal the laws, statutes, and judgments of God. De 4:5,14; Ex 24:3,4.
8.     Record divine prophecies. 2Pe 1:19-21.
9.     Testify of Christ. Joh 5:39; Ac 10:43; 18:28; 1Co 15:3.
10.     Are full and sufficient. Lu 16:29,31.
11.     Are an unerring guide. Pr 6:23; 2Pe 1:19.
12.     Are able to make wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2Ti 3:15.
13.     Are profitable both for doctrine and practice. 2Ti 3:16,17.
14.     Described as
a.     Pure. Ps 12:6; 119:140; Pr 30:5.
b.     True. Ps 119:160; Joh 17:17.
c.     Perfect. Ps 19:7.
d.     Precious. Ps 19:10.
e.     Quick and powerful. Heb 4:12.
15.     Written for our instruction. Ro 15:4.
16.     Intended for the use of all men. Ro 16:26.
17.     Nothing to be taken from, or added to. De 4:2; 12:32.
18.     One portion of, to be compared with another. 1Co 2:13.
19.     Designed for
a.     Regenerating. Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23.
b.     Quickening. Ps 119:50,93.
c.     Illuminating. Ps 119:130.
d.     Converting the soul. Ps 19:7.
e.     Making wise the simple. Ps 19:7.
f.     Sanctifying. Joh 17:17; Eph 5:26.
g.     Producing faith. Joh 20:31.
h.     Producing hope. Ps 119:49; Ro 15:4.
i.     Producing obedience. De 17:19,20.
j.     Cleansing the heart. Joh 15:3; Eph 5:26.
k.     Cleansing the ways. Ps 119:9.
l.     Keeping from destructive paths. Ps 17:4.
m.     Supporting life. De 8:3; Mt 4:4.
n.     Promoting growth in grace. 1Pe 2:2.
o.     Building up in the faith. Ac 20:32.
p.     Admonishing. Ps 19:11; 1Co 10:11.
q.     Comforting. Ps 119:82; Ro 15:4.
r.     Rejoicing the heart. Ps 19:8; 119:111.
20.     Work effectually in them that believe. 1Th 2:13.
21.     The letter of, without the spirit, killeth. Joh 6:63; 2Co 3:6.
22.     Ignorance of, a source of error. Mt 22:29; Ac 13:27.
23.     Christ enables us to understand. Lu 24:45.
24.     The Holy Spirit enable us to understand. Joh 16:13; 1Co 2:10-14.
25.     No prophecy of, is of any private interpretation. 2Pe 1:20.
26.     Everything should be tried by. Isa 8:20; Ac 17:11.
27.     Should be
a.     The standard of teaching. 1Pe 4:11.
b.     Believed. Joh 2:22.
c.     Appealed to. 1Co 1:31; 1Pe 1:16.
d.     Read. De 17:19; Isa 34:16.
e.     Read publicly to ALL. De 31:11-13; Ne 8:3; Jer 36:6; Ac 13:15.
f.     Known. 2Ti 3:15.
g.     Received, not as the word of men, but as the word of God. 1Th 2:13.
h.     Received with meekness. Jas 1:21.
i.     Searched. Joh 5:39; 7:52.
j.     Searched daily. Ac 17:11.
k.     Laid up in the heart. De 6:6; 11:18.
l.     Taught to children. De 6:7; 11:19; 2Ti 3:15.
m.     Taught to ALL. 2Ch 17:7-9; Ne 8:7,8.
n.     Talked of continually. De 6:7.
o.     Not handled deceitfully. 2Co 4:2.
p.     Not only heard, but obeyed. Mt 7:24; Lu 11:28; Jas 1:22.
q.     Used against our spiritual enemies. Mt 4:4,7,10; Eph 6:11,17.
28.     All should desire to hear. Ne 8:1.
29.     Mere hearers of, deceive themselves. Jas 1:22.
30.     Advantage of possessing. Ro 3:2.
31.     Saints
a.     Love exceedingly. Ps 119:97,113,159,167.
b.     Delight in. Ps 1:2.
c.     Regard, as sweet. Ps 119:103.
d.     Esteem, above all things. Job 23:12.
e.     Long after. Ps 119:82.
f.     Stand in awe of. Ps 119:161; Isa 66:2.
g.     Keep, in remembrance. Ps 119:16.
h.     Grieve when men disobey. Ps 119:158.
i.     Hide, in their hearts. Ps 119:11.
j.     Hope in. Ps 119:74,81,147.
k.     Meditate in. Ps 1:2; 119:99,148.
l.     Rejoice in. Ps 119:162; Jer 15:16.
m.     Trust in. Ps 119:42.
n.     Obey. Ps 119:67; Lu 8:21; Joh 17:6.
o.     Speak of. Ps 119:172.
p.     Esteem, as a light. Ps 119:105.
q.     Pray to be taught. Ps 119:12,13,33,66.
r.     Pray to be conformed to. Ps 119:133.
s.     Plead the promises of, in prayer. Ps 119:25,28,41,76,169.
32.     They who search, are truly noble. Ac 17:11.
33.     Blessedness of hearing and obeying. Lu 11:28; Jas 1:25.
34.     Let them dwell richly in you. Col 3:16.
35.     The wicked
a.     Corrupt. 2Co 2:17.
b.     Make, of none effect through their traditions. Mr 7:9-13.
c.     Reject. Jer 8:9.
d.     Stumble at. 1Pe 2:8.
e.     Obey not. Ps 119:158.
f.     Frequently wrest, to their own destruction. 2Pe 3:16.
36.     Denunciations against those who add to, or take from. Re 22:18,19.
37.     Destruction of, punished. Jer 36:29-31.
Torrey, R. (1995, c1897). The new topical text book : A scriptural text book for the use of ministers, teachers, and all Christian workers. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos research Systems, Inc.

"And now you're a fear monger...Serpent (symbol of evil and deception)...and you're trying to tell me what's true while wearing the badge of the great deceiver? Sheesh...you need to take a good look at yourself."

Ad hominem.  I give out the word of God.

[2 Cor 11:14].  "God...the still small voice inside."

The voice of God (Ezek. 1:24, 28; 10:5; John 5:37; 12:28–30; Acts 7:31; 9:4, 7; 26:14, 15) will never disagree with scripture (Ps 138:2, Jas 1:18). 

Response to comment [from other]:  "You cannot even provide one single shred of evidence that humans did not write the Bible..."

Fulfilled prophecy, a more sure sign of God's sovereignty (2 Pet. 1:19).

See:

100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

"God is okay. It's his believers that are in need of a thorough head examination."

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you (Jn 15:18)."

"Isn't wisdom generally thought of as a good, honorable, noble thing?"

Wisdom comes from God (Ezr 7:25).

"[I]f God deliberately leaves clear and indisputable evidence of his existence (a "sure" sign), man could not deny the existence of God, and God would win by default instead of by choice...so God has to leave everything ambiguous in order to avoid biasing man's decision."

God has not left everything ambiguous.  Jesus said:  "“I am the way, gthe truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (Jn 14:6)--"  zero ambiguity.  All other religions of the world are work-based.  Christianity is faith-based. 

"Who wouldn't choose to spend eternity with a loving, compassionate, merciful, honest-to-God...God...if there was absolutely no doubt about his existence?"

Men have internal evidence (Ro 2:15), external evidence (Ps 19:1) and the scriptures.  They are without excuse (Ro 1:20).  The reason people do not choose God is because they prefer darkness to light because their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19).

"Maybe you've made fewer mistakes in your life."

No.  God saves from the guttermost to the uttermost.  He is merciful (Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3).  People tend to think that Christians believe they are better than others.  Christians know that they are no better than others.  They are sinners saved by the grace of God (Ro 5:8).

Response to comment [from other]:  "Humans have a virtually infinite capacity for self-delusion."

Then, how do you know that you are not deluded?

"...[Y]our confidence in your own judgment is disproportionate."

Is it wise to trust man's opinion (who by your own admission can be deluded) or God's word which is true? (2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18).

"So, if you're imperfect and fallible then on what basis do you claim perfectly infallible spiritual insight?"

I don't.  I claim the scriptures are true (Dan. 10:21)--truth to live by (2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18) because they lead to life (Phil. 2:16). 

"[O]n what grounds are you qualified to assert what 'absolute truth' is?"

On the word of God which is the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18). 

"You can only claim that you're making these kinds of judgments to the best of your ability...not that it's absolute truth...because that requires perfection in knowledge, and you are neither that knowledgeable, nor that perfect."

When I give out the word of God, I speak absolute truth--not by my ability but on God's word which is our authority (Ps 138:2).

"I know I can be deluded...I'm not qualified to declare "absolute truth"..."

God is qualified (Pr 3:5).

"[Y]ou're still relying on man's opinion."

Man cannot predict the weather--much less future events as the Bible does.

"Here are some examples found in the 100 Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus pamphlet:

JESUS’ BIRTH
Prophecy: Be of the tribe of Judah
Old Testament References: Genesis 49:8-10, “Judah, your brothers will praise you…The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.”
New Testament Fulfillment: Matthew 1:13, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham…Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah…
JESUS’ LIFE AND MINISTRY
Prophecy: The King comes to Jerusalem riding on a donkey
Prophecy: The King comes to Jerusalem riding on a donkey
Old Testament References: Zechariah 9:9, “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
New Testament Fulfillment: Mark l1:1-10, “When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it….”…
JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION
Prophecy: Be hung upon a tree as a curse for us
Old Testament References—Deuteronomy 21:33, “Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate that land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.”
New Testament Fulfillment—Galatians 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written; “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
JESUS’ TITLES AND ATTRIBUTES
“I Am” (Jehovah)
Old Testament Reference—Exodus: 3: 13-15
New Testament Reference—John 8:24, 13:19
“Seed of David”
Old Testament Reference—Psalm 89: 3, 4
New Testament Reference—John 7:42; Acts 13:22, 23
The pamphlet reveals prophecies in a color-coded format to reveal the years they were made before the birth of Christ, for example:
Prophecies more than 1200 years before Jesus’ birth
Prophecies more than 800 years before Jesus’ birth
Prophecies more than 500 years before Jesus’ birth..." Full text:
 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus Pamphlet

"Wow...the Bible contains both the prophecies and the record of their fulfillment?"

1/4 of the books of the Bible are prophetic.  1/5 were predictive when written.  There is fulfilled prophecy and there is unfulfilled prophecy.

"How utterly impressive..."

The Bible is utterly unimpressive if you are biblically illiterate. 

He who knows not,
And knows not that he knows not,
Is a fool. Shun him.

He who knows not,
And knows that he knows not,
Is ignorant. Teach him.

He who knows,
And knows not that he knows,
Is asleep. Awaken him.

He who knows,
And knows that he knows,
Is wise. Follow him.

"I became much more Biblically literate and was still unimpressed.  In fact, I became even less impressed because I became even more aware just how little folks back then actually did know."

What is the theme of the book of Deuteronomy? 

Your brain has suffered 6000 years of the curse of the sin.  On what basis do you claim to be smarter than those who wrote the Bible.  Only an ignoramus would say such a thing.  Are you smarter than Solomon?  Do you compose better music than Mozart?  Are you more insightful than Shakespeare? 

"Like it or not you follow man's word."

The word of God is inspired (Ex. 19:7; Ex. 20:1; Ex. 24:4, 12; Ex. 25:21; Ex. 31:18; Ex. 32:16; Ex. 34:27, 32; Lev. 26:46; Deut. 4:5 v. 14.; Deut. 11:18; Deut. 31:19, 22; 2 Kin. 17:13; 2 Chr. 33:18; Job 23:12; Psa. 78:5; Psa. 99:7; Psa. 147:19; Eccl. 12:11; Isa. 30:12, 13; Isa. 34:16; Isa. 59:21; Jer. 30:2; Jer. 36:1, 2, 27, 28, 32 Jer. 51:59–64. Ezek. 11:25; Dan. 10:21; Hos. 8:12; Zech. 7:12; Matt. 22:31, 32; Luke 1:1–4, 68–73; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Rom. 3:1, 2 Heb. 5:12. 1 Cor. 2:12, 13; 1 Cor. 7:10; 1 Cor. 14:37; Eph. 6:17; Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Thess. 4:1–3; 1 Tim. 6:3–5; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 1:1, 2; Heb. 3:7, 8; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:11, 12; 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Pet. 3:2, 15; 1 John 1:1–5; Rev. 1:1, 2, 11, 17–19; Rev. 2:7; Rev. 19:10; Rev. 22:6–8).

 

There are consequences for unbelief (Psa. 50:16, 17; Prov. 1:29, 30; Prov. 13:13; Isa. 5:24; Isa. 28:9–14; Isa. 30:9–11; Isa. 53:1; Jer. 6:10; Jer. 8:9; Hos. 8:12; Amos 2:12; Mic. 2:6; Luke 16:31; Luke 24:25; John 3:20; John 5:46, 47; John 8:37, 45; 1 Cor. 1:18, 22, 23; 2 Tim. 3:8; 2 Tim. 4:3, 4; 1 Pet. 2:8; 2 Pet. 3:15, 16; Rev. 22:19).

"[S]how me where I said I was smarter..."

Good you do not believe that you are smarter than those who wrote the Bible.  It would be a ridiculous claim which you recognize. 

Why I Don't Like God