God and the Crash at National

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in a higher power and intelligent design, but not that God is ever loving. If that's true, explain the Holocaust.

Read Lord of the Flies to explain the holocaust.

What does Lord of the Flies have to do with an ever lasting God?
-NP

It has to do with how evil comes into the world. Through us.

That doesn't answer the question of why an ever loving God would allow that kind of evil to happen.
Or are you saying God uses human monstrosity to teach us good from evil?

No,

I'm saying that God is a positive force that humans choose to follow or not. He doesn't control things at that level on earth. We bring God into the world or not.

God doesn't control things? I thought people believed that he was omnipotent and reigned forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity.

Nope. Have you studied mainstream religions at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in a higher power and intelligent design, but not that God is ever loving. If that's true, explain the Holocaust.

Read Lord of the Flies to explain the holocaust.

What does Lord of the Flies have to do with an ever lasting God?
-NP

It has to do with how evil comes into the world. Through us.

That doesn't answer the question of why an ever loving God would allow that kind of evil to happen.
Or are you saying God uses human monstrosity to teach us good from evil?

No,

I'm saying that God is a positive force that humans choose to follow or not. He doesn't control things at that level on earth. We bring God into the world or not.

God doesn't control things? I thought people believed that he was omnipotent and reigned forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity.

The rules are to love others as yourself, and God with all your heart.

God has lots of rules, as I remember. Also, as stated above earlier, he's omnipotent and reigns forever in heaven where you go when you die if you follow his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity. Correct?

And that's just the Christian God. There are other gods, with some different rules. Currently, it's OK to switch around among gods, but it's considered bad by many people to not believe in any God at all.

It is all confusing but isn’t it the devil who comes in the form of confusion?
I believe there are 2 higher beings, forces, entities (whatever you want to call it) that influence us as individuals and collectively as a society. It’s a constant struggle of good v evil. It could not be more apparent than what is happening right now.

Confusion comes from current day theists trying to justify bronze age belief systems in a scientifically advanced modern world. They're trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

True. It still comes down to good v evil. I cannot recall a time in our history where the stakes were higher. Our planet and our humanity has been compromised to a point where it is not repairable.

I don't believe in an absolute good or evil. Those are judgements of actions and how they affect individuals/society. Its more a point about selfishness versus acting for the common good. What you may call evil, I view as selfishness.

The other key point is that good and evil are not external. They don't come from some supernatural entity or being. They are based on actions. Decisions made by individuals and as those individuals act collectively.

Thus, combatting evil is not about crosses and holy water, its about making better choices.

But for some religious people, combatting evil IS about crosses and holy water -- and prayer and other rituals and incantations depending on the religion being practiced. Most religious people do more than the things already mentioned. Many will also go to battle, while praying for the safe return of the combatants, but only the combatant on their side, not the others, even if they are the same religion.

That's how you see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in a higher power and intelligent design, but not that God is ever loving. If that's true, explain the Holocaust.

Read Lord of the Flies to explain the holocaust.

What does Lord of the Flies have to do with an ever lasting God?
-NP

It has to do with how evil comes into the world. Through us.

That doesn't answer the question of why an ever loving God would allow that kind of evil to happen.
Or are you saying God uses human monstrosity to teach us good from evil?

No,

I'm saying that God is a positive force that humans choose to follow or not. He doesn't control things at that level on earth. We bring God into the world or not.

God doesn't control things? I thought people believed that he was omnipotent and reigned forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity.

The rules are to love others as yourself, and God with all your heart.

God has lots of rules, as I remember. Also, as stated above earlier, he's omnipotent and reigns forever in heaven where you go when you die if you follow his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity. Correct?

And that's just the Christian God. There are other gods, with some different rules. Currently, it's OK to switch around among gods, but it's considered bad by many people to not believe in any God at all.

It is all confusing but isn’t it the devil who comes in the form of confusion?
I believe there are 2 higher beings, forces, entities (whatever you want to call it) that influence us as individuals and collectively as a society. It’s a constant struggle of good v evil. It could not be more apparent than what is happening right now.

Confusion comes from current day theists trying to justify bronze age belief systems in a scientifically advanced modern world. They're trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

True. It still comes down to good v evil. I cannot recall a time in our history where the stakes were higher. Our planet and our humanity has been compromised to a point where it is not repairable.

I don't believe in an absolute good or evil. Those are judgements of actions and how they affect individuals/society. Its more a point about selfishness versus acting for the common good. What you may call evil, I view as selfishness.

The other key point is that good and evil are not external. They don't come from some supernatural entity or being. They are based on actions. Decisions made by individuals and as those individuals act collectively.

Thus, combatting evil is not about crosses and holy water, its about making better choices.

But for some religious people, combatting evil IS about crosses and holy water -- and prayer and other rituals and incantations depending on the religion being practiced. Most religious people do more than the things already mentioned. Many will also go to battle, while praying for the safe return of the combatants, but only the combatant on their side, not the others, even if they are the same religion.

That's how you see it.

No - that's how it is. How do you see it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in a higher power and intelligent design, but not that God is ever loving. If that's true, explain the Holocaust.

Read Lord of the Flies to explain the holocaust.

What does Lord of the Flies have to do with an ever lasting God?
-NP

It has to do with how evil comes into the world. Through us.

That doesn't answer the question of why an ever loving God would allow that kind of evil to happen.
Or are you saying God uses human monstrosity to teach us good from evil?

No,

I'm saying that God is a positive force that humans choose to follow or not. He doesn't control things at that level on earth. We bring God into the world or not.

God doesn't control things? I thought people believed that he was omnipotent and reigned forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity.

The rules are to love others as yourself, and God with all your heart.

God has lots of rules, as I remember. Also, as stated above earlier, he's omnipotent and reigns forever in heaven where you go when you die if you follow his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity. Correct?

And that's just the Christian God. There are other gods, with some different rules. Currently, it's OK to switch around among gods, but it's considered bad by many people to not believe in any God at all.

It is all confusing but isn’t it the devil who comes in the form of confusion?
I believe there are 2 higher beings, forces, entities (whatever you want to call it) that influence us as individuals and collectively as a society. It’s a constant struggle of good v evil. It could not be more apparent than what is happening right now.

Confusion comes from current day theists trying to justify bronze age belief systems in a scientifically advanced modern world. They're trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

True. It still comes down to good v evil. I cannot recall a time in our history where the stakes were higher. Our planet and our humanity has been compromised to a point where it is not repairable.

I don't believe in an absolute good or evil. Those are judgements of actions and how they affect individuals/society. Its more a point about selfishness versus acting for the common good. What you may call evil, I view as selfishness.

The other key point is that good and evil are not external. They don't come from some supernatural entity or being. They are based on actions. Decisions made by individuals and as those individuals act collectively.

Thus, combatting evil is not about crosses and holy water, its about making better choices.

But for some religious people, combatting evil IS about crosses and holy water -- and prayer and other rituals and incantations depending on the religion being practiced. Most religious people do more than the things already mentioned. Many will also go to battle, while praying for the safe return of the combatants, but only the combatant on their side, not the others, even if they are the same religion.

That's how you see it.

No - that's how it is. How do you see it?

Psalm 115:

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in a higher power and intelligent design, but not that God is ever loving. If that's true, explain the Holocaust.

Read Lord of the Flies to explain the holocaust.

What does Lord of the Flies have to do with an ever lasting God?
-NP

It has to do with how evil comes into the world. Through us.

That doesn't answer the question of why an ever loving God would allow that kind of evil to happen.
Or are you saying God uses human monstrosity to teach us good from evil?

No,

I'm saying that God is a positive force that humans choose to follow or not. He doesn't control things at that level on earth. We bring God into the world or not.

God doesn't control things? I thought people believed that he was omnipotent and reigned forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity.

Nope. Have you studied mainstream religions at all?

Yep. I was a long time member of a mainstream christian religion and studied religion a lot in my path to atheism. Still, I am interested to hear from pp why they asked that question and if they know of mainstream Christian religions that do not believe the God is omnipotent and reigns "forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity." That is part the creed of mainstream christianity.

Now maybe a lot of people don't actually believe that stuff, but they say it - some of them every Sunday if they go to church.

Non-Christian religions have different beliefs. But many are not mainstream, at least in the US. Perhaps pp was referring to them?

[Anonymous]

NP. People die. Some die in different ways from others. God doesn't stop people dying and a core belief is that they in fact go to a "better place." I wonder why OP is so confused about these basic tenets of faith.

[Anonymous]

God never promised that humans would not die. God never promised life would be pain free and problem free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God never promised that humans would not die. God never promised life would be pain free and problem free.

God never promised that some people would be in a firey plane crash and drop into a freezing river.

God never promises anything except that you'll be with him after you're dead, if you believe in him. It also helps to pay to belong to a "house of worship"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. People die. Some die in different ways from others. God doesn't stop people dying and a core belief is that they in fact go to a "better place." I wonder why OP is so confused about these basic tenets of faith.

Could be that OP doesn't believe in the basic tenets of faith. Many people do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe in a higher power and intelligent design, but not that God is ever loving. If that's true, explain the Holocaust.

Read Lord of the Flies to explain the holocaust.

What does Lord of the Flies have to do with an ever lasting God?
-NP

It has to do with how evil comes into the world. Through us.

That doesn't answer the question of why an ever loving God would allow that kind of evil to happen.
Or are you saying God uses human monstrosity to teach us good from evil?

No,

I'm saying that God is a positive force that humans choose to follow or not. He doesn't control things at that level on earth. We bring God into the world or not.

God doesn't control things? I thought people believed that he was omnipotent and reigned forever in heaven where you'd go when you died if you followed his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity.

The rules are to love others as yourself, and God with all your heart.

God has lots of rules, as I remember. Also, as stated above earlier, he's omnipotent and reigns forever in heaven where you go when you die if you follow his rules. And you didn't follow his rules, you'd go to hell for eternity. Correct?

And that's just the Christian God. There are other gods, with some different rules. Currently, it's OK to switch around among gods, but it's considered bad by many people to not believe in any God at all.

It is all confusing but isn’t it the devil who comes in the form of confusion?
I believe there are 2 higher beings, forces, entities (whatever you want to call it) that influence us as individuals and collectively as a society. It’s a constant struggle of good v evil. It could not be more apparent than what is happening right now.

Confusion comes from current day theists trying to justify bronze age belief systems in a scientifically advanced modern world. They're trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

True. It still comes down to good v evil. I cannot recall a time in our history where the stakes were higher. Our planet and our humanity has been compromised to a point where it is not repairable.

I don't believe in an absolute good or evil. Those are judgements of actions and how they affect individuals/society. Its more a point about selfishness versus acting for the common good. What you may call evil, I view as selfishness.

The other key point is that good and evil are not external. They don't come from some supernatural entity or being. They are based on actions. Decisions made by individuals and as those individuals act collectively.

Thus, combatting evil is not about crosses and holy water, its about making better choices.

But for some religious people, combatting evil IS about crosses and holy water -- and prayer and other rituals and incantations depending on the religion being practiced. Most religious people do more than the things already mentioned. Many will also go to battle, while praying for the safe return of the combatants, but only the combatant on their side, not the others, even if they are the same religion.

That's how you see it.

No - that's how it is. How do you see it?

Psalm 115:

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not.

Not impressed by Bible quotes.

[Anonymous]

For some people, God is their co-pilot. I have seen bumper stickers saying so. But if they get in a crash, do they blame the co-pilot?

I have heard of some people asking Jesus to take the wheel. I don't know who would be responsible in that case, but it would still be on the drivers insurance for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For some people, God is their co-pilot. I have seen bumper stickers saying so. But if they get in a crash, do they blame the co-pilot?

I have heard of some people asking Jesus to take the wheel. I don't know who would be responsible in that case, but it would still be on the drivers insurance for sure.

My sense it that those are just pious-sounding, culturally acceptable things that people say that sound good, and/or make them feel good,