1.0 - God - Baseline

I believe in God. I've read the book. I believe it. I also have questions—lots of them.

Most of my questions start with "why." I understand who, what, where, and when. I even get how most of the time. "Why" escapes me. Even more frustrating is that, so far, all the possible answers for my "why" questions lead to other "why" questions and inevitably to some conclusion that nobody likes. This I take to mean that I haven't yet found the right answers to my questions.

The biggest problem with this is that I find that I can't discuss my questions with other believers without them then questioning my belief. I don't question my belief. Why should they?

To me it is analogous to (hypothetically) believing that John (who) drove the car (what) to the beach (where) yesterday (when). I know how to drive a car; I even know how a car works. I was standing on the beach when John got there. I believe! But why did John drive to the beach? I don't know either. In my mind, if I want to get to know John better, understand him, and develop a relationship with him, I'll try to understand why he does what he does.

Is it impossible to believe, and still ask why? Obviously not. Is it wrong to ask? Apparently some people think so, but Jesus didn't. I'll take His opinion over anybody's. Even Job—the epitome of steadfast belief—asked "why?"

If you ever spent time with children, you know that as much as we want them to ask "how?" their favorite question is always "why?" If God wants me to approach him as a child, he has to be expecting some questions—especially "why?" If God doesn't mind me asking "why?" then why do so many people get offended when I ask?

This is my baseline. I'm asking "why?" Bail out now if your faith is weak. Questions to follow...