It's not rude or wrong to bring up such a thread, I feel the same way about this matter. You are right, a lot of people consider other gods fake and not real, but it's not say to state who is "real" or not. The thing that commonly throws me off and I mean no disrespect, but if our god "jesus" is the god, why are there other gods? I mean, if "god" made the planet then shouldn't he be the only god? This confuses me.
You must understand, Christianity, along with Islam, is one of the new kids on the block in terms of religions. So called Pagan gods existed long long before it. In fact the Abrahamic god (the god of Christianity, Islam, and Judaisim) the fact of monotheism and not polytheism was considered strange in the old world.
This tossing of one set of theologies for another is largely a response to Christianity. The preaching of Christianity and the harsh punishments for non converters or heretics caused many to convert, perhaps not so willingly. After that the indoctrination of later generations phased older ways out. There are those still loyal to these old gods, but they are few in number. When Christianity took control over much of Europe it was more or less a government. In the Middle Ages it was essentally the only form of order, and the church had many rulers 'by the balls' so to speak. The threat of excommunication from the Church could have potentially destroyed a ruler's claim. Until the Protestant Reformation that is. Once the Reformation happened the Catholic Church lost power, but it was still very influential.
What you are asking is a matter of so called faith. You believe your god is the only god, and that's what was taught, and what was enforced. It is, in fact, a Commandment, "I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.", or something to that extent. This is why so many old religions died out or are seldom found, because, unlike other religions where the spread of religion was mostly to one region, Christianity spread and not only melded with other relgions, but they almost obliterated them because it is not tolerant of other gods, and their mission is to spread their religion. Some traditions and customs (Like the worship of the Virgin Mary appealing to those who worshiped godesses) survive, but gods never moved on.
On another note, how did god walk amongst the people? Why would he, an over looker or a god walk amongst us? This would simply make him insignificant and no difference than any of us. Yes, I've read how he healed those with the touch of his hand to ones forehead, but I just can't believe it or accepted. It can't even be forced upon, it's not my choice to not be religious, I just cannot accept god or have the faith needed so I will not force myself to believe.
God himself supposedly did not walk amongst man. He did take forms of other things, say the burning bush for example, but he did not take a physical form. Instead he sent his so called son who was sent to earth not as a god, but as a human. This is one of the main tenants of Christianity. Catholicism in particular treats god as one being with three parts; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But they are all one god. Jesus used the power of the Holy Spirit, all around us, to supposedly heal the sick.
How did god get his image (long brown hair, white, skinny), why isn't he african american, fat and short? Don't take offense to this, I'm simply saying, how do you know what he actually looks like? More than likely a person doesn't know, I'm sure a lot of religious people never considered how god got his image or why he is "white" in specific. A lot of people grow up and take in what they see. Also, all these pastors, they don't know god, they never knew him personally, their just a typical person with a tremendous amount of "faith" in god reading a bible. I've tried multiple times to accept god or to believe in him, but I just cannot accept it and I lack the faith to believe. Furthermore, it's hard to believe with a lack of physical proof. I don't think I will ever be able to believe.
There are a few images of god. Not all are the old white man or what have you. Many have him black, or Arabic. It depends on where you are and what version of the Abrahamic god's relgions you are in. Many do not allow these icons, calling them blasphemic idols, which are not allowed via the Commandments. For these sects things like Saints and relics are very bad.
What you explained here is called indoctrination. And it's the reason that religion continues to exist. If it weren't for indoctrined peoples the amount that would actually be converted is not substantial enough for it to ever really catch on or ever have progressed to the point it has. Indoctrinated people know nothing else much of the time, and if they are offered something else a lot of the time they avoid it because it is strange and often terrifying to do so. I myself was born into the Catholicism with no say in the matter, being baptised as a baby. But I was lucky enough to learn what I have and I eventually turned away from Catholicism, and later religion entirely and confirm myself as atheist.
Their faith in the Bible is circular logic 99% of the time. The Bible says it is true, therefore it is. Fun fact, many agnostic/atheists became so
after reading the Bible in its entirety. I became so because I took the time to actually learn as much as I could about religion. Strange huh? In fact there have been tests that prove that atheists/agnostics know more in general about many religions that those who believe in said religions.
When god made the human race, he made two human beings, Adam & Eve. They were both white, so... how did we get all of these different races and ethnicity? I don't believe I ever received an answer for this, it's an interesting thought. Hopefully no one took offense to this. It's just my outlook.
We do not know what race they were in particular. It is common belief that they were white, but that's only because painters made them to be. There is nothing in the Bible that made them so, in fact the Bible never really describes anyone in terms of appearance, save for a few people like David and Goliath or things like that. But your question on races is one of the prime arguments for evolutionists.
BTW, atheist here, not religious. Just explaining.
