Is the Evidence Really All That Convincing?

One of the questions that comes up when discussing the evidence for Christianty is:

If the evidence is so convincing for Christianity why isn't everyone a Christian?

I listened to a podcast the other day at PleaseConvinceMe.com that addressed this question pretty well.  It can also be accessed on iTunes by searching "PleaseConvinceMe Podcast".  It's worth a listen if you've ever had this question.  The discussion starts at about 10:25 and ends at about 30:00.  I'll try to summarize the podcast below.

If there is a God out there why wouldn't he just make everyone a believer?  Just force himself on us so that everyone believes?

In order for people to love God they have to have the freedom to choose to deny God.  You can't love without the ability to choose not to love.  Love is only meaningful if there is choice.  So to force people to love you really isn't love at all.

There is sufficent evidence to believe that God exists and people still deny the evidence.  There are 3 reasons why someone would deny a truth claim.

1. Rational disbelief - This is presented as an intellectual reason for not believing.  They don't believe the evidence is sufficient.
2. Emotinal disbelief - This can be tied to politics, to past painful experiences, or rejection of some person associated with Christianity.
3. Volitional disbelief - This might be largest group of unbelievers.  This is the unwillingness to change life style.  The more likely a change in worldview is to make people change their lives the more likely they won't do it.

People often reject things that are true not because of reason or logic but because of #2 and #3.  With #1 for some people (not all) it won't matter how much evidence is presented because their objection really is because of #2 or #3.  Also not all unbelief for those that fall into #1 is rational.  For instance if the evidence someone needs is to physically see God and see him perform a miracle and after seeing this they need to have a pyscological exam to prove they are of sound mind then that's evidence that I can never provide.

I found the podcast pretty good and maybe you will too.