# Creationist math problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationist-math-problem/149298 "2003-01-17T20:40:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationist-math-problem/149298/41 "2003-01-21T13:10:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by prisoner6655321 \* > **Sorry, I know this is for Great Debates. But if I can just tack this on to the end of this discussion we can keep from having to start a new thread.** I don’t know if I’m going to get the answer to my question, mainly because it was so vague-I did get some good leads though, and what I think to be what my friend was referring to. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by prisoner6655321 \* > **If God proved to us that he existed then that would totally invalidate our purpose. He wants us to make decisions for ourselves. He doesn’t want to make the decisions for us. He needs to know that we believe in him. If he proved to us that he exists, then well, who would commit murder? Who would rob, cheat and steal? Who would gamble and beat his wife, or her husband or children? We have to EARN the right to enter heaven. If he proved to us that he existed, then there would be no need for free-will. We would all do the same thing, sit there in Church and sing hymns.** I agree with this line of thinking. What’s the purpose of believing if it’s stone cold fact. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by prisoner6655321 \* > **So, I believe that the Bible, with all of its inaccuracies and inconsistencies, IS what God wants. God didn’t write the Bible. People did. It doesn’t have to be perfect. With its, inconsistencies, it gives the potential for both interpretations. You can read the Bible and say, “bull-cocky!” Or you can read the Bible and say, “Of course! It all makes sense now.” So it depends on your faith. In order to interpret the Bible the way God intended, you need to have faith. Without faith, all you will see is the contradictions and myth.** I also agree with this. I think that the bible is a good source book for how to cope/handle certain situations. It’s meant to help you through the rough spots, not explain everything an ancient history of the begining of mankind. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by prisoner6655321 \* > \*\* Now I don’t want you to think that faith is the same thing as gullibility. You don’t have to be blind to science to be faithful. The faithful man who earns his faith recognizes the inconsistencies of the Bible and works through them. He attempts to figure out what went wrong. Why the inconsistency. He proves to himself that the Bible is correct._\* I also agree with this. I think the answer to my question is what either BMalion, NotBob, or Aro. It seems to be a probability argument that my friend is phrasing in a wierd sort of way. ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationist-math-problem/149298/42 "2003-01-21T17:40:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by prisoner6655321 \* > If God proved to us that he existed then that would totally invalidate our purpose. He wants us to make decisions for ourselves. He doesn’t want to make the decisions for us. He needs to know that we believe in him. If he proved to us that he exists, then well, who would commit murder? Who would rob, cheat and steal? Who would gamble and beat his wife, or her husband or children? We have to EARN the right to enter heaven. If he proved to us that he existed, then there would be no need for free-will. We would all do the same thing, sit there in Church and sing hymns. Is this stuff in the bible? No? So you came up with it? Do I see “duct tape” written all over it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationist-math-problem/149298.md?page=2)