# One of the Greatest Questions you can ever ask \[Knowing Truth -- Witnessing \] **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 30, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288 "2013-06-30T21:16:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/61 "2013-07-01T12:45:34Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > Jesus Christ inspired Psalm 115 because Christ is God and it si God who inspired the writer of Psalm 115 > > To Feat Itself: Regarding your reply about wisdom vs truth, Christ said he was the Truth, but according to you he got it wrong. According to the Psalmist, " I said you are gods and sons of the most high", and Jesus seemed to take that ( as I understand it to mean all are gods or at least the Jewish men) He is quoted a s saying this is in John 10, He also refers to Scripture as ":you"r law, not God’s law. It seems that the word God meant something different that it is thought of today. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/62 "2013-07-01T12:47:33Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > I read this before posting this thread: > > Great Debates > For long-running discussions of the great questions of our time. **This is also the place for religious debates and (if you feel you must) witnessing.** > > the bible says: > > For what can be known about God is plain to them [all people], because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse [when they have to give account to God Himself] When one reads the Bible and believes it, they are really believing in the person who said it was of God, not God! ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/63 "2013-07-01T12:53:12Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > Some things need to be believed to be seen. > > If I were able to give you ‘solid evidence’ of God, what would you do? You think you would believe but you would not, just the same as the Jews who said they knew God but when God came, in the flesh, they knew him not nor did many of them want to know him. You’re no different, neither am I or anyone else. Psalm 81 in RC version 82 in KJV the psalmist says" I said you are gods and sons of the most high. If he just meant Jewish men then they were gods, if all men then all men would be gods. Jesus backs this up in John 10. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/64 "2013-07-01T12:56:21Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > Many say they want the truth but many really do not want it, they just like to think they do and more often prefer to tell them self they already have it. Yes. Now, how do you know for sure that you’re not in this category? ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/65 "2013-07-01T12:56:42Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > It accomplishes His purpose. Life itself is purpose. One is born to live(as I see it one’s reason to be born is to live as well as one can). Why would there be any other reason? It is the same with plants, and animals, they too were born to live. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/66 "2013-07-01T13:04:23Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > If I were able to give you ‘solid evidence’ of God, what would you do? You think you would believe but you would not, just the same as the Jews who said they knew God but when God came, in the flesh, they knew him not nor did many of them want to know him. You’re no different, neither am I or anyone else. If you _really_ want to piss people off when trying to convert them, keep it up with the “I could give you solid evidence, but you would only…” line. You are not a mind reader, and you have absolutely no idea how individuals would react to solid evidence. It is basically an insult to all those who don’t believe as you do. If you have solid evidence, put it forth. If you do not have solid evidence, do not pretend you do-just say you don’t. Which is it? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/67 "2013-07-01T13:30:14Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > You’re correct, I ment no offense whatsoever regarding my asking if you were asperger. Then you should know that it’s both an irrelevant and an impertinent question, and you should refrain from asking similar questions in the future. > [@](#): > > Regarding if my belief in Jesus is axiomatic for me I would say, “no, not all the time.” As you know, axiomatic means Self-evident or unquestionable. That’s not what axiomatic means in the context I was using it. Rather, it means a premise. I stated earlier that one or more of my axioms might be wrong, which means I do question them. I am unable to prove my axioms correct or incorrect, however. If belief in Jesus isn’t axiomatic (by either definition), what is? If you’re trying to arrive at truth, you must have some starting beliefs. What are they for you? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/68 "2013-07-01T17:34:26Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > Very insightful questions. > > “So how do we know that the people that believe in Christianity are right and the people that believe in other religions are wrong?” > > You don’t, until you know the truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus was one of three possibilities: > > - a liar > - a lunatic > - he was who he said he was … God come in the flesh > > It’s up to you if you will look into this, or not. > > “how do we pick which religion to believe in, when they all look the same from the outside?” > > You don’t pick a religion, God picks you. If you truly desire to know God he will make himself known to you, he promised this - it’s in the bible. He said those who seek him with all their heart WILL find Him. Remember, he is not lost, we are 😉 Well, I have to say these aren’t very insightful answers. You seem to be saying you believe in Jesus because you already believe in Jesus. That may work for you but it’s not going to convert anyone. Have you ever tested your premise? Have you ever sincerely tried another religion and seen if it produced the same belief in you that Christianity has? You’re asking people to make a serious effort to find Jesus but have you ever made a serious effort to find any other gods? And if you haven’t made serious attempts to believe in something different, why should people listen to your calls for them to do what you haven’t done? Finally, if God picks his followers, I’m here. God presumably can find me. If God doesn’t make himself known to me and give me faith, then I guess it means God didn’t want me. It must be part of his plan for me to be an atheist. Who am I to thwart his will? ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/69 "2013-07-01T18:57:58Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > One of the greatest barriers to knowing the truth is the presumption that we already have it. > > Ignorance is darkness and yet, those who possess her think they are in the light. That’s called self-deception (to be in darkness [error] while you’re thinking you’re in the light [correct] is a deception). So tell me, do you ever think that this might apply to you? That you’ve just managed to delude yourself in believing a comforting fantasy? That somebody else might have got it right—not just atheists, but maybe some followers of another faith, or of different denominations than yours? After all, they outnumber you by millions, taken over the entire lifespan of the human race. Why do you think you’ve got it right, and everybody else has it wrong? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/70 "2013-07-02T17:44:39Z")
Has the OP moved on after realizing he rang the wrong doorbell here? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/71 "2013-07-02T18:16:43Z")
I dunno - I figure there were several acceptable reactions to him. Immediate praise would be nice, but unbeliever scorn also counts as a win. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/72 "2013-07-02T18:24:45Z")
Golly-I never had the chance to ask him who this “Jesus” guy was, does he really love despicable ol’ me, and did he really die for _my_ sins? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/73 "2013-07-02T18:39:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Golly-I never had the chance to ask him who this “Jesus” guy was, does he really love despicable ol’ me, and did he really die for _my_ sins? Who WAS that harassed man? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/74 "2013-07-02T18:43:50Z")
It’s not like I don’t have plenty of time to find out how to be saved-I plan on being around for a _very_ long ti ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/75 "2013-07-02T19:43:11Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > You don’t pick a religion, God picks you. And in Russia, Putin picks you! Seriously, it’s nice to know that God wanted me to be an agnostic. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/76 "2013-07-02T21:32:29Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Has the OP moved on after realizing he rang the wrong doorbell here? I hate drive-by witnessings. If you’re not willing to stand your ground and try to convert people, what’s the point? Do they think God’s going to accept their excuses? \*"Gee, Lord, I tried to spread the word. But when people didn’t immediately accept Christianity because I mentioned your name, I didn’t know what to do next. They actually started asking me questions that I couldn’t easily answer! So I ran away and went to the next place but the same thing happened there. So I figured I shouldn’t let other people distract me when I was trying to convert them. I found a crowd of people and I shut my eyes and stuck my fingers in my ears so I couldn’t see or hear anyone. And then I started yelling bible verses as loud as I could. I did that for a couple of hours and then I peeked to see if anyone had been converted. I don’t think they were because they had all left while I was yelling with my eyes and ears closed. But just in case, I closed my eyes and ears again and yelled for another hour until I got a sore throat. Witnessing is hard, Lord. Isn’t there some way I could convert people who already believe what I want them to?"\* I’d hate to think how these people would fare against a lion or something. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/77 "2013-07-02T21:43:49Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > One of the greatest barriers to knowing the truth is the presumption that we already have it. So, I guess we can just chuck that out the window, right? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/78 "2013-07-02T22:00:44Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’d hate to think how these people would fare against a lion or something. I can think of a way to find out. “Here kitty, kitty.” ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/79 "2013-07-02T22:01:33Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Yahweh? No Way!! ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288/80 "2013-07-02T22:28:33Z")
> [@tomana](#): > > I read this before posting this thread: > > Great Debates > For long-running discussions of the great questions of our time. **This is also the place for religious debates and (if you feel you must) witnessing.** > > the bible says: > > For what can be known about God is plain to them [all people], because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse [when they have to give account to God Himself] Whether you acknowledge it or not all you are posting is your personal opinion and belief system. Calling it the truth and pointing to the BIble doesn’t change that fact. This is demonstrated by the fact that believers cannot agree amongst themselves on all kinds of details including how inspired the Bible is and which passages are literal, and how it shopuld be interpreted. {not to mention other so called scripture from other religions} Did you ever notice that nowhere in the Bible is there any indication that it was God’s plan that there would be one final authoratative compilation of writings? I tend to believe that love and truth, discerning and seeking them, ought to be our priority. To me that means using the heart and mind I was born with to examine life, and the experiences and information it presents. It means not letting others tell me what I ought to believe , or embracing man’s many traditions and placing them above continued growth Walk whatever path works for you, but for the sake of humility, don’t assume your path is the right one for everyone else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-greatest-questions-you-can-ever-ask-knowing-truth-witnessing/662288.md?page=5)