Does God test people?

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InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

I don't believe in a God outside of me. So no, God does not test me, punish, reward, heal or "do" anything to me, that "he" has not already done.

If we feel "tested" we could ask ourselves what purpose may this "test" serve? Do we need tests because we want to experience God holding us when we step off the edge? Do we still have doubt and therefore desire to grow in faith?

I believe we test ourselves, for a lack of knowing. In knowing there is no doubt and the need for "tests" disappears.

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May your awareness be perfection

I think if any kind of test comes along (and it does feel like we revisit issues from time to time), I think it's for growth purposes, as Viv says. When I used to think of God testing us, I thought of it in a very negative way, but after pondering the topic and V's response, I could see how testing oneself could make you stronger and be a part of the growth process.

There are NO Tests, no judgement, no beginning or end. We all grow /advance spiritually through the experiences of incarnation. The challenges are self-imposed in accordance with advancement along our spiritual path.

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Only Love Prevails,
Don

No. People test God.

It would seem impossible for a BEing who knows and examines everything to satisfactorily test someone and receive answers that are fair.

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"There is one thing that organized religion is not qualified to teach and that is an individual's purpose."-GOD

Precisely so, my friend.


I would like to add that, in my opinion, if a god creates an entire species in order to perform tricks for it, and then tortures those who fail to perform correctly -- then it truly is a lesser god.

That is - less than it's creation.


Peace, Love, & Light

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"An object is perceived, or not perceived, according as the mind is, or is not, tinged with the colour of the object. "
Patanjali - Sutra 4:17

There's a saying that God doesn't test us beyond our capacity to respond...

"God will not burden any soul beyond its capacity."

Yes life is full of tests and opportunities to grow I think.

As a friend of mine once put it: "Tests and diffulgalties".

"O Son of Man! If adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?"

- Art

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"it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
- Johannes Kepler

Life is full of opportunities and challenges and not everyone of them has to be a lesson in learning. I believe we choose these moments and it is not GOD who hands out the diplomas but that the experience is our own reward.

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"There is one thing that organized religion is not qualified to teach and that is an individual's purpose."-GOD

sometimes, yes