The post that was quoted here has been removed
Ok, Ok, I will explain my blathering. For those of faith, one must conceede that the God they believe in REQUIRES faith. After all, we cannot see him, he does not "appear" to interact with the material world in which we live. Therefore, assuming what we still believe is true, the question is why does he require faith? Here is an example in scripture.
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please him; for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that is is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Here are just a few thoughts.
1. Faith has nothing to do with the knowing the facts other than not knowing all of the facts. In other words, Adam and Eve lost faith in their God even though they knew he existed. The question then becomes why? I think it comes down to not knowing ALL of the facts. The simple truth of the matter is that only God is all knowing because God is above his creation in terms of knowledge and intellect. Therefore God's creation is and will continue to be dependent upon him from time to time for all of eternity regarding things we may not know or understand. In effect, God sees where we may have "blind spots". Considering this, we then see that a relationship with the Almighty MUST include faith. It makes no difference whether we place our faith in him that he exists or place our faith in him not to eat of the forbidden fruit. Thus, proving himself to his creation does little in fostering such faith. In fact, I think it actually helps seperate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Those who come to him in faith without proving that God exists are more likely to continue to walk in faith regarding other things that require faith. Otherwise everyone would claim to be his follower due to the fact they would feel compelled to serve whom they knew for certain was the one true God. I think this would give rise to further hypocrisy and such than we already have regarding those who claim to serve God in faith.
2. This leads me to my second reason. If God "proved" he existed, we would feel compelled to be in good favor with him. However, would our hearts be in such an endevour? Would our service be soley out of fear or dread or out of love? As I have said before, God desires free will because he is a God of love. He must because we have free will and love demands free will to love someone back. However, if God "proved" he existed, would we not feel coersed into serving him? I mean, if you don't guess what is going to happen to you. Just read Revelations to find out. Therefore, an easy out in not feeling coersed is simply to say that he does not exist. If you truly do not love the ways of God then your heart will not desire to serve him. God does not want such service. He only desires those who desires him. In effect, there is no gun to your head to serve him. That is, there is no visible gun to your head. Free will continues unempeeded without coersion. It then becomes the "invisible gun" to the head, so to speak.
Having said all of that, it then stands to reason that in the eyes of God faith in him is equivalent to righteousness. This is mentioned in the Bible many times in reference to Abraham. God cares little in terms of where we have been or what we have done, rather, God only cares where we are willing to go with him and whether or not we will do as he says. Otherwise, if we continue to insist on going our own way in defiance of his perfect will then things will continue to run amuck.