Atheism and blasphemy questions

I have some serious non-sarcastic questions that I've just been thinking about lately, ok
1. What exactly is blasphemy, I know it's the unforgivable sin, but I'm not sure how to tell blasphemy apart from people's beliefs.
2. Why do people that don't...

believe in god need proof in order to believe. I'm just wondering, so please don't criticize me I just want to see why. I'm sure people who don't believe in god believe in something that hasn't been proven, but there are evidences, so why is it so much harder to believe in god. Thanks.

*** 2. Why do people that don't believe in god need proof in order to believe.

I'll answer for myself ratherr than the group of all nonbelievers.

That's pretty simple...because I don't already believe, and I demand proof to try to get you to think about it, not because I'm you seriously (although if you present something, I'll take it seriously since you went to the trouble to present it).

This is the same behavior I imagine you apply in regards to things you find ridiculous.

If I insisted to you endlessly that Scooby Doo was real, you would eventually demand proof. It's the same thing with demands for proof of gods.

blasphamey is the disrespectful use of the name of one or more gods...

well what exactly is the evidence of the existence of God? (no the bible is not proof, it was written by people)

Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of the name of one or more gods. It may include using sacred names as stress expletives without intention to pray or speak of sacred matters; it is also sometimes defined as language expressing disapproved beliefs, or disbelief. Sometimes blasphemy is used loosely to mean any profane language.

In a broader sense, blasphemy is irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable. In this broader sense the term is used by Sir Francis Bacon in Advancement of Learning, when he speaks of blasphemy against learning.

Many cultures disapprove of speech or writing which defames the deity or deities of their established religions, and these restrictions have the force of law in some countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy

I'll take a shot at question #2 since #1 was answered so well.

I want proof of the most important things in life so I can make the best decisions for myself and my family. I've seen the money, time and lives lost due to various scams and schemes - I don't wish to fall victim to anything like that!

If a doctor told you that you had a brain tumor and needed immediate surgery, wouldn't you want some evidence before you agreed? Likewise, before I put my entire life into the hands of any gods or religions, I must see the evidence that they are real and necessary.

It is impossible for me to believe in the Bible God because the descriptions of his words and deeds do not match the character of an omnipotent, omnibenevolent deity. I find the other gods no less plausible for the same reasons and many others.

The unforgivable sin is blaspheming the Holy Spirit. All other sins can be forgiven except this one.

Those people who need proof to believe in God are usually those who don't want to know Him. And when someone doesn't want to know God, it's almost impossible to help them to understand who His. There mind is closed and no amount of Bible scripture, talking, or living by faith will help them to see something they don't want to see.

So they demand proof knowing full well that they'll never believe because they don't want to. They are happy with the way their life is and they know that if they accepted God they'd have to change things...which they don't want to...so it's easier to say show me, prove to me...

I hope this helps...give me a shout if you want answers to questions. God bless you

Why do people that don't believe in god need proof in order to believe. I'm just wondering, so please don't criticize me I just want to see why. I'm sure people who don't believe in god believe in something that hasn't been proven, but there are evidences, so why is it so much harder to believe in god.
---
the bible to me is just a bunch of stories, seeing as it was written by men and made to keep people in order, as in genisis that woman was made for man.I really just cant bring myself to beleive that any caring deity could put so much pain on people.

(This is FYI ONLY, please do not personalize these comments,it's feedback to the questions)

(blasphemy as far as the bible is concerned, addresses the Holy Spirit,therefore God's word is law, and people's beliefs are just that, what man themselves choose to believe in or not.

QUESTION #1
The Holy Spirit was sent by God as confirmation of Jesus' authority. The Holy Spirit is given to enable people to live for Christ. By faith we can have the Holy Spirit's presence and power to witness and to serve.
Therefore, Matthew 12;31-32:
Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which can never be forgiven...
(continued rejection of the word of God through the Holy Spirit, you voluntarily, because you don't believe are denying yourself of being forgiven from your sins by God).

Believers in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, can only plant the seed, God harvests it (planting means spreading the word of God)Here it's constantly being done because people are aware of God, whether they believe in Him or not, believing is by peoples choice.

QUESTION#2
Matthew 13;1-23; specifically: Matthew 13; 14-16
You will hear my word,
but you will not understand
you will see what I do
but you will not perceive it's meaning
For the heart of these people are hardened
and their ears cannot hear
and they have closed their eyes
so their eyes cannot see
and their ears cannot hear
and their hearts cannot understand
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them
But blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears, because they hear.
(In the bible this specifically pertains to the way people do/don't accept God).I am only giving feedback, I don't imply that my specific beliefs are better than anybodys' here,please do not personalize this message.

Sorry this is long,but hard to explain something so complex in a few words.

still, if you had proof, not everyone would believe in it god
I know I wouldnt
people need something to believe in
someone to turn to, blame, and answer all there unanswered questions
and some people dont, some poeple are just happy without the need to beleive in some higher power

Orion, why do you presume to speak for the atheist community? Do you really think you know our reasons better than we do ourselves? I think your second answer was far more hurtful than helpful.

Those people who need proof to believe in God are usually those who don't want to know Him. And when someone doesn't want to know God, it's almost impossible to help them to understand who His. There mind is closed and no amount of Bible scripture, talking, or living by faith will help them to see something they don't want to see.

So they demand 'proof' knowing full well that they'll never believe because they don't want to. They are happy with the way their life is and they know that if they accepted God they'd have to change things...which they don't want to...so it's easier to say 'show me, prove to me...'

Those people who don't need proof to believe in god are usually those who don't want to know that he might not be real. And when a non-believer does give thought provoking arguments about the existence of a god, it's impossible to help them to understand simple logic. Their mind is closed and no amount logic or reality will help them to see something they don't want to see.

So they demand that one 'believe', knowing full well that there is no proof, because they don't want to accept they might be wrong. They are happy with the way their blissfully ignorant life is and they know that if they accepted logic over dogma, they'd have to change things...which they don't want to...so it's easier to say 'blindly beleive...'

*** There mind is closed and no amount of Bible scripture, talking, or living by faith will help them to see something they don't want to see. - Orion

So, I'm closed binded because I don't view a 2000 year old book of fables and propoganda to be evidence of a god, and because in spite of the endless talk, you have yet to make a case, and because I don't consider living by faith to be evidence of any gods?

Apparently, failure to accept nonsense as a valid form of argument = closed minded.

Orion... Great Answer... I agree totally...

Silverwings, what a surprise you would agree with orion. Birds of a feather...

lemmings...

...loved by God. that's all that matters.

orion, they're not close-minded and nothing can change'em, the only person who can change them is God. thnx for answering guys.

If there is no God who created all things including Nature, you non-believers have nothing to lose.
But, if the believer is correct they have somthing to gain and the non-believer has everything to lose.
So, what is the big deal? Believe !