Jenyar,
I meant 'personal' as in 'personal attention' not 'personal interpretation'.
I don’t think there is a difference. Without an independent objective observation of the alleged god’s activities we are reduced to having to accept the believer’s assertions that he/she is receiving personal attention. Again, how do you distinguish between a potential god giving such attention and the self-delusion of the believer? The claim of personal attention comes directly from the claimant without any possibility of independent confirmation. The result remains one of personal interpretation again.
You can interpret God in many ways,
This is for certain judging by the numerous religious cults especially Christian cults that exist.
but you can only follow one God (or set of gods)
Why? This claim seems to be a non sequitur.
It is just as important to have the right picture of God, than it is to follow the right God.
You appear to be assuming there is only one god in the same sentence as implying there are multiple gods from which to choose. I don’t understand what you are trying to say here.
God does not miraculously convert everybody (that would mean taking away free will), but Jesus asked His followers to be an example of His love.
You imply that he does convert some people as opposed to everyone. Isn’t that taking away their free will? Why would he CHOOSE some above others? If he is truly omni benevolent then wouldn’t he want everyone to be ‘saved’ and hence could easily convert everyone?
But free-will is impossible with an omniscient creator. If he knows the future with perfect knowledge then people are powerless to make any choices other than those choices the god had pre-determined for them at the beginning of time. If people were able to make free choices, i.e. choose something that was not pre-determined then such a god could not be omniscient.
If there were more options beside heaven and hell,
The obvious is that one ceases to exist. is that what you meant?
what would be the point of right and wrong, or of justice? You either live or you don't. That isn't easy to accept either. I'd love to hear anybody argue against death convincingly, though.
I’m very unclear as to your point here so I will guess. To someone who expects to cease to exist at some point then the short life they have becomes extremely precious. The need for right, wrong, and justice become essential if the short lifetime is to be maximized and enjoyed to the fullest.
For example if I commit a crime I run the risk of being caught and punished which will detract from the quality of my life. If justice is not present then there is a risk that again my life could be shortened or devalued. Whereas doing things that enhance my environment and help my neighbors is likely to have a positive feedback on the quality and duration of my life. This is otherwise known as rational morality.
Contrast that to the believer of an afterlife who is free to dismiss life as just a temporary stage in an eternal life. Earthly life cannot be seen as quite so precious to such individuals and this in turn helps to justify wars in which a glorious and heroic death ensures eternal life in a supernatural paradise. These become more self-delusions and turn emphasis away from protecting and preserving life.
By extention, heaven and hell is a continuation. You either go over the bridge, or you fall over the edge. Don't blame God - He built the bridge!
A truly loving father would have ensured no such place as hell could exist, and if it did he would destroy it. A loving father, especially one who is omnipotent would guarantee that every person is adequately educated so they would have the power to make al the correct choices. If hell exists then of course God is to blame – it would be his choice to create it, and it would be his choice to design humans in the way alleged. Hell would only exist because such an omnipotent god wants it to exist, and suffering would only exist by the same rationale.
The Christian god by creating and wanting such things when he has the power to do otherwise can only be judged as evil. The Christian god either does not exist or is not worthy of existence.
Cris