This is a question for Muslims and Christians who believe that every joy, struggle and doubt we encounter in life is god's test. I'm not denying nor supporting this belief. I just want to understand why god gives us free will and then finds it necessary to do this. Isn't it like giving a child a skateboard, creating some speeding trucks outside the house and then letting the child loose. Please provide some holy verses to back up your explanation.

To avoid side tracking, the question is not why test anything at all or how humans benefit from such testing. I just need to know what benefit god himself gets from putting his subjects through endless hoops of fire. Surely this is mentioned somewhere in the Bible or Quran?

With best,
-FF

Christians dont believe everything is a test. We believe that God gave us free will and He must give us some tests or else there would be no sin, the world would be perfect.

But Adam and Eve eating the Forbidden Fruit manifested Original Sin robbing humanity of perfection and immortality.

:P

Hi, you've not really answered my question. I already know how man benefits from god's tests e.g. to prove his faith in god, go to heaven, etc. That's not my point. What you haven't really answered is what benefit does god stand to gain and backed it up with biblical passages.

Let me try to help you with a multiple choice. Please mark the right answer.

God tests me and my friends because:

a. He loves to play judge
b. He's lonely/insecure & craves love and attention
c. He's unsure what we will do in an obstacle course and is curious to find out
d. He's bored to death and wants some entertainment
e. He's trying to learn what our defects are so he can create a better being in the future
f. He gets a kick out of showing off his powers
g. He's wants a PhD in behavioral science
h. Fill in your answer here

I don't mean to sound disrespectful but I want to know what he gains from it, not what we gain from it.

Btw I'm still hoping for a Muslim to give his opinion on this.

With best,
-FF

Infact why would an omniscient god need to test anything at all? Since God already knows the outcome this so called test is pointless. God is omniscient therefore it is impossible for us to do something that he won't know.

-FF

ok good...i'm Jewish so I can sit this one out

everyone has a different view on God. Some think He's judgemental, some think He's jealous, and some think he is Redeeming and Caring. Haha he gains angels man!
And how can their be an outcome if there is no tests?

I'm Christian. God doesn't give us tests. Common misconception.

So are no women ministers and pre-destination. That's not Christian doctrine.

Some Christians do infact believe that. Not many, but some.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man... (Although, I realize there's some debate as to whether or not St. Paul actually wrote that part.)

Of course, again, those aren't very common beliefs anymore, but some still maintain them.

~Maggot

Well, your example is slightly mis-leading. If you could use one that didn't involve death as the possible outcome, you may find it better suited.
I don't generally see it as him testing us, but more of him increasing our faith and trust within him. If we go through some hard times, that increases our faith when we make it through.

Not necessarily. Some people lose their faith, and some just end up killing themselves.

~Maggot

So people who lose faith kill themselves? The OP could have used an example that didn't involve the person having a 80% chance of getting killed. When current atheists lose their faith (assuming they had any to begin with), I highly doubt 80% of them go out and gut themselves.
If somebody is going to lose their faith, they'll lose it regardless. If something good or delightful comes their way in the end and they still lose it, they would lose it either way.

That's not what I said. At all. o_O
Proof?

~Maggot

Sorry, mis-read.

It's what you just said. You told me that some people lose their faith regardless. If they're going to lose it when something good happens to them, why wouldn't they when they're going through rough times?

I said some people lose their faith because of these so-called "tests." I never said they'd lose their faith if they didn't have those "tests" to deal with. In fact, if they're the reason they lose their faith, it's more likely they wouldn't have lost it had they not been subjected to being a lab rat in God's little experiment.

~Maggot