Why is belief in God important? (punishment, Creator, salvation, soul)

[Fluffy]

I will have to largely talk about Christianity since this is the religion I am most familiar with but this debate doesn't necessarily have to be limited to this one religion.

What I cannot understand is why God requires me to believe in him in order to attain salvation and it is this that I wish to debate. Lets look at a few possibilities.

It seems evident that any rational person, if presented with very convincing evidence for God's existence, would believe in God. However, there are many rational people who do not believe in God. Therefore, we can see that God has not presented convincing evidence to all the people on the planet or at least not all the rational ones.

If God wishes us to acknowledge his existence then is it not fair to ask of him evidence to this end? It is clear that some people believe they have accessed a greater amount of evidence for God's existence that others (eg those who witnessed the resurrection). Surely everybody should all be given access to an equal amount of evidence otherwise it is unfair to require faith from us. God's position is further threatened when we consider the belief that he is the creator of the world... a place where people can die at birth or die before they believe in him. He is not simply making it impossible for every rational person to believe in him but he has also created a system which predisposes an inability of belief.

It would seem irrational to expect two people to accept that I was holding up 4 fingers when one had perfect vision and the other was blind. It borders on cruelty when I threaten them both with a beating if they refuse to accept this fact. And I would be viewed at the very least as incredibly stupid if I had blinded the 2nd person at birth yet still expected this from him.

Furthermore, what is God actually gaining from our belief in him? Why is it so important to him that he offers salvation only to those who accept it?

[Mike182]

reasonable proof of God would have to be, in my oppinion, proof that is universally accepted - would any universally accepted proof that God must exist devalue faith?

[Willamena]

Your questions are directly rightly at Christians, as it addresses their religious philosophy, and only theirs.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

What I cannot understand is why God requires me to believe in him in order to attain salvation and it is this that I wish to debate. Lets look at a few possibilities.

That shows you miss the point Fluffy; the test is 'Are you prepared to believe in me despite the fact that you van't have an ounce of proof'. That's why it's called a 'Faith'.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Your questions are directly rightly at Christians, as it addresses their religious philosophy, and only theirs.

..... you sure about that?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Mike182

..... you sure about that?

Well, not anymore.

Which other religions (besides those branching off from Christianity) deal with salvation of the soul through acceptance of god?

[Fluffy]

reasonable proof of God would have to be, in my oppinion, proof that is universally accepted - would any universally accepted proof that God must exist devalue faith?

No proof is universally accepted, as far as I am aware.

I think your question is important though. Why does faith have any value in the first place for it to be devalued?

That shows you miss the point Fluffy; the test is 'Are you prepared to believe in me despite the fact that you van't have an ounce of proof'. That's why it's called a 'Faith'.

Well, not anymore.

Which other religions (besides those branching off from Christianity) deal with salvation of the soul through acceptance of god?

There are plenty of religions that operate a reward/punishment system with belief in a deity as a factor. I use salvation as an example of a reward.

That shows you miss the point Fluffy; the test is 'Are you prepared to believe in me despite the fact that you van't have an ounce of proof'. That's why it's called a 'Faith'.

Then I ask why should I believe in God despite having no proof? What is the point of this test? Why does, scripturally, God require my damnation for a lack of faith/belief?

[Victor]

Fair? I don't know. Just? I would say so.

Something about having the human species extend their faculities beyond the emperical plane brings some form of benefit to a person and to the whole family of the human species. Or else, why do it?

Perhaps it's about finding hope where there isn't any that brings a change in a person that trascends the sciences.

There is where you begin to meet God. It's about tuning into the right channel. Starting with the right psychological state.

Is that what you were looking for?