I think you might be missing the understanding that these people heard and obeyed the same Spirit, the same God... though today He speaks through His Son.
Though I do understand that you and others are not going to believe that. And I do understand that someone who does not have faith (athiest) must have another explanation other than that Christ exists, is alive, and does speak. I get that from a non-believer. But not so much from someone who claims to have faith, to believe the accounts (whether in whole or part) as written. Except that few religions teach that the Spirit of Christ is alive and does speak... not truly. That is why they say, come to me (men, religion) over... go to Him.
Personal experiences can indeed be flawed. But if what one hears also happens to be true, then there is a bit more validation to that, even if only for that person. Other people do not have to take their word for it, but they could experience the same... and if they did, would it matter that no one else believed them? Faith is not something that man can give another man.
I know I've written before that those who claim to hear voices are NOT uncommon (typically associated with schizophrenia/bipolar disorder/abuse, although not always co-existent), but instead hearing voices is a well-recognized phenomena which has been confirmed clinically by MRI studies. Sure enough, voice hearers show brain activity in the areas that are known to be associated with auditory processing (eg Broca's area, etc) in individuals with 'normal' cochlear-nerve function, despite being in a completely-silent room. Their brains are basically remapping activity that's actually internally-generated and coming from within, and improperly attributing it to an outside source. Hence why it's called an auditory hallucnation: it's an oasis, and not really-real.
You have written about that, and I have discussed the matter before as well... with other personas on this board that have said similar things as you (I say personas, because they were the same person, under different usernames/accounts).
I do hear within. In the spirit. As do others I know who are listening, in spirit. I do not have any sort of psychological disorder. I do have to LISTEN, to hear... and there are many things that might cause me NOT to hear (listening to other voices - what other men, religion, etc, have to say, because their baggage and teachings can be very loud. Like how an abused woman might still only be able to hear what her abusive spouse had to say to her, rather than the truth that her loved ones are telling her; or listening sometimes to my own reasoning over what He has told me, so that I might brush Him off and not really hear Him - sort of the way a person can hear, but not really hear, what a parent is saying... in light of what your own reason is telling you)
Nothing is forced upon me. Now recognizing Him (now understanding that HE does speak), I realize that I heard Him long before I recognized Him... as many people do.
He can speak in clear words, dreams, understanding and revelation simply received (like inspiration -> inspired - > in spirit); in images; in reminders of scripture or something written from any source brought to mind; and also in recognition of hearing truth in something someone else shares in spirit.
The Bible is thus in essence an ancient dairy of voice hearers, and it appeals with a strong resonance with those who also experience voices.
That is an interesting statement, and a bit misleading, though I am not saying intentionally so. Most who believe in the bible would be faster to denounce someone who claimed to hear the voice of Christ, than even an atheist would. Most believe that sort of thing happened to certain special people... and does not happen today, and certainly NOT to some nobody. What makes YOU so special, is the response... or perhaps 'you're listening to a demon or bad spirit'; so that hearing a voice, even the Holy Spirit/Spirit of Christ... is not seen as something good, but something to be avoided at all costs.
I, personally, did not even notice all the examples of those who HEARD... you know how you can read something and not pay attention to what is actually being said? I mean, its in there... but it only applied to those people, and certainly would not apply to people today, right? That was my thinking... until someone pointed out our Lord's own words on the matter, and that Christ IS alive, and does speak.
I don't think there are as many people claiming to hear their God as you have stated. They might claim that they were spoken to in some way (a sign, or a feeling, or something, or through their church, or through an experience), but not too many claim to hear direct. The thing I think that scares most people are all the claims that some make that God told them to kill their children, or their spouse, or their parents, etc. I have no reason to doubt that those people heard a voice (or voices) telling them to do that (other than perhaps a few frauds trying to get out of trouble), but a claim does not make it so. That is why we must TEST the spirits. Test the message. Test against Christ and against love, and even if your only source is love and what Christ is WRITTEN to have said, then do that test.
Again, that is mostly for those who believe... for an atheist, there must be another explanation.
Though it is interesting that some of the preconcieved biases and prejudices against those who hear voice(s) are being shattered. Good. Regardless of the source of that voice or not.
Peace to you!
tammy
