Greetings! I come in peace as an unbeliever/seeker. I have many philosophical and theological questions about God. I have been told that Judaism invites open debate and questions. I don't want to have an argument, however, to fully understand these things I have pondered for a lifetime, one must fully examine every facet of Judaeo-Christian beliefs and in fact one must even question God in every facet. Debate is fine with me, however, I do not seek to argue with malice. I am not going to try to change your mind, quite the opposite. I shouldn't be able to if your convictions are true. I'm not going to ask gotcha questions to try to trip people up and have them contradict themselves to show what a hypocrite they are, or how silly their beliefs are. I respect a person who strives to live a morally upright life.
Even tho I am an unbeliever, I have studied many religions: Mormonism, Taoism, Jainism, Buddhism. Four years ago I finished reading the Quran. I do not mention this in an attempt to show my vast religious intellect, but rather to give an idea of how far I have sought answers to my questions. I am most familiar with the Judaeo-Christian beliefs and that is where I would like to center this discussion.
I realize, being on the internet, this forum must surely get a lot of cranks who just want to agitate and cause disruption. This is not my intent. This is a long discussion and I need someone, perhaps a Rabi, who is patient. I have many, many troubling questions. I beg of your patience.
I have written well over 500 emails to churches and synagogues in my area begging to discuss these things which weigh heavy on my mind. I have contacted many Christian forums, only to be met with resistance. It seems Christians, who say they know the way, who were commanded to go into all the world and preach the gospel, immediately take questioning to be a personal affront. This is not my intent at all. In fact, God commanded us to question.
1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Isaiah 1:18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.
My questions center around these topics:
If some patient Rabi, or knowledgeable person could help me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your time.
Even tho I am an unbeliever, I have studied many religions: Mormonism, Taoism, Jainism, Buddhism. Four years ago I finished reading the Quran. I do not mention this in an attempt to show my vast religious intellect, but rather to give an idea of how far I have sought answers to my questions. I am most familiar with the Judaeo-Christian beliefs and that is where I would like to center this discussion.
I realize, being on the internet, this forum must surely get a lot of cranks who just want to agitate and cause disruption. This is not my intent. This is a long discussion and I need someone, perhaps a Rabi, who is patient. I have many, many troubling questions. I beg of your patience.
I have written well over 500 emails to churches and synagogues in my area begging to discuss these things which weigh heavy on my mind. I have contacted many Christian forums, only to be met with resistance. It seems Christians, who say they know the way, who were commanded to go into all the world and preach the gospel, immediately take questioning to be a personal affront. This is not my intent at all. In fact, God commanded us to question.
1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Isaiah 1:18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.
My questions center around these topics:
- Foreknowledge: God knew everything that would happen and created it anyway
- Determination: Infallible foreknowledge means the future is fixed; free will is illusory
- Design: Humans are punished for functioning as designed
- Proportionality: Eternal punishment for finite, biologically driven infractions
- Epistemology: Faith is non-distinguishing and unverifiable; This is crucial. Belief is conviction. Knowledge requires evidence
- Geography: Religious belief is determined by birthplace, not truth
If some patient Rabi, or knowledgeable person could help me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your time.