[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: But, my point is a valid one: some religions preach non-questioning. That, in my mind, is a problem. First, it is a theoretical dilemma created: if god is *right* he would of course invite questioning, for such questioning would lead to revalation of his truth. But, there is also the damage done to the religion's self-interest: a refusal to allow questioning did a lot to deter me from religion, for the only religion I knew at the time offered no answers but only the advice to SHUT UP.

Unfortunately, Timber, this is far too common among some groups. While it has never happened to me personally, I've heard several other people say that was the attitude in the church they went to as a child. Not surprisingly, several of these people had become atheists and left the church althogether - due in large part to that type of attitude.

You are right, also, in stating that God shouldn't mind people questioning His Word and His Revelations if He really is the Omnipotent Being Christians claim He is. Of course, God isn't the one objecting to being questioned, the preacher or Sunday School teacher, or whoever is the one getting upset. And if they give you the "Just be quiet and don't ask questions" response...chances are it's because you've asked a question THEY can't answer.

I understand that feeling. When I first began debating theology with my good friend Burner, I found myself getting very defensive. That's because he has read the Bible just as thoroughly (actually probably more thoroughly) than I have and he has found several areas that he says simply can't be true or couldn't have happened the way the Bible says it did. So then the ball is in my court to explain that or to provide a Christian perspective to other questions he has regarding God and his Omnipotent and Benevolent nature. But I also found that his questions forced me to read my Bible more carefully, and pay much more attention to the details, instead of just skipping over them. As I grew in my knowledge, I felt less and less "threatened" by his questions. Many times, he still didn't accept my answer as legitimate or as "proof" the Bible was right, but at least I took a shot at it and gave him the best answer I could. Then it was up to him to decide if he agreed or not.

Anyway, the same holds true for many Christians. They don't know their Bible as well as they should and when somebody comes along that asks very tough and challenging questions, it's much easier to tell them to be quiet rather than admit that they can't give a good answer.

The bottom line is that God most assuredly is NOT threatened by anyone challenging His Word or even challenging His Existence. He created us with inquisitive minds and gave us the drive and curiousity to seek answers to "unanswerable" questions, knowing full well that would lead many to question His very existence.