It's very difficult to find a Christian with integrity, viz: one that can give you
a direct answer to a direct question about their beliefs and practices.
Do you realize the inherent bias of your statement?
Do you realize that there is a gigantic logical error in your assertion because the sole measurement device you use is your apprehension of how matters work, especially in the discussion of theological matters?
Here is something that I know is going to "annoy you off"; nevertheless it is true, and it explains how and why you are actually incapable of having a rational discussion of things regarding Christianity no matter how much you attempt to adhere to principles of rational discussion. Reasonable discussion is possible between us, and that is a whole different matter.
2 Corinthians 4:
3 But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing,
4 among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
6 For God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the one who has shined in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
The plain fact of the matter is that because you are not a Christian, you will never understand. Therefore you are spiritually blind, and unless Holy Spirit leads you to salvation in Jesus Christ, you will never be able to see spiritual things. Please note that I am not flaunting being a Christian, nor putting you down because you are not a Christian. What I am doing is simply laying out the truth of the matter, and quoting Scripture as my authority for being able to post that.
Other verses saying the same thing include:
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
When a rational skeptic...
This is an oxymoron because of what I posted previously. Even as Isaiah invited the Jews to reason with him, he knew it was impossible
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
He said that because reasonable discussion with God is spiritually discerned, and means seeing things as God sees things. Whatever God does is holy and correct because God can not do otherwise than His ontological being requires. One part of that is seeing ourselves as sinful beings not placing our own sensibilities above what God does.
When a rational skeptic points out that some of God's actions are not only unreasonable, but also downright evil, selfish, and sadistic; the average
Christian typically circles the wagons, i.e. they become defensive.
Such an assertion is contrary to the nature of a Just, Righteous and Holy God. It is also a demonstration of your own spiritual blindness to post that blasphemy. It does not conform to the nature of God as He revealed Himself in Scripture.
It also demonstrated your own reliance on your own thought process, and not God's omniscience. He sees more and better than any of us do.
I am hopeful that you do not see what I posted as insulting. I am accurately quoting Scriptures, and I certainly hope that you can see the gigantic lack of spiritual discernment there is in the OP.
