How can anyone believe in god when there's so much evil in the world?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

Yep. Thus, evil is also part of God's will and plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I don’t believe something and think it’s foolish, I usually don’t spend a lot of time trying to suss it out. If you feel the need to know and question, perhaps spend time with the text of the Bible. That’s where answers are.

Are they also in the Koran? The Bhagavad Gita? And which Bible? They are all different you know...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_Bible_translations

Yes, major religions seem to have holy text and word from which they base the beliefs. Crazy, right?

You’d have to read each one to gain answers about specific beliefs. I am not familiar with all religions. If you are interested in one, go for it.

See that's the point. They all say different things. What if I pick the wrong one?

If there was one that was true, wouldn't that be what everyone believed? If you can just pick one, what is the point?

Some of us care what is TRUE.

I just read what's posted in the link. They say the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

"God and Gods"??????? Huh?

More than one?

That only works if they are all made up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

Yep. Thus, evil is also part of God's will and plan.

No, it's not. God did not make Stan to rebel. Satan did it himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but I can easily see how someone can believe in God despite an imperfect world. You just assume that God is not all-benevolent. Humans have existed for millennia with God and Gods that are vindictive, flawed, have weaknesses, and have cruel and immoral tendencies. It's really not that difficult of a concert since we tend to anthropomorphize dieties and so many of these characteristics are familiarly human.

Not the Abrahamic God. There is nothing pagan, human-like (even His anger and His love are not human-like), and familiar about Him. That is why the Abrahamic faiths are markedly different than other religions.

Ummm...he looks just like a human and he is quite human and flawed in the Old Testament. He is absolutely anthropomorphized. Good grief.

No He is not. He is completely different than pagan deities that you are thinking of. Abrahamic God was/is the only god that was/is monotheistic and omnipotent among all other deities of that region or any other region for that matter.

I grew up in an Abrahamic religion (Islam). As long as there is a distinct character of the devil/satan/shaytan, then that monotheistic God is not omnipotent, or singular. Satan is an arm of God's personality and presence---or Satan is a competing deity.

In Christianity, Satan is not equal to God. God defeated Satan through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. That was a total and irrevocable defeat of Satan. Christianity is based on prophecies and the Book of Revelation tells us that Satan will play the role but will be dealt the final blow before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In Christianity, Satan is absolutely not equal to God. But God will not interfere into Satan's doings at the moment. It is up to human being to reject Satan. That's what makes or break a believer. But let's be clear that in Christianity God is absolutely omnipotent and Satan is not His equal.

Unless God is not omniscient, this was all part of God's plan - including knowing all of Satan's doings, before Satan even "fell." Thus, Satan is an arm of God's deliberate being.

Satan is not His arm. That is a blasphemous notion in Christianity.

Of course - that's the point - it's illogical. It's blasphemous in Islam too. But it's impossible for God to be all-knowing, otherwise. Or all powerful. God cannot be the God of everything, if he isn't also the God of evil and hate, or pain and guided suffering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of non-faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

We (several believers responding to you) are not worried about what you are doing/will do. If you are perfectly content and secure in your non-belief there is really nothing to argue about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

Yep. Thus, evil is also part of God's will and plan.

No, it's not. God did not make Stan to rebel. Satan did it himself.

God didn't know what Satan was going to do when he created Satan??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I just read what's posted in the link. They say the same thing.

More proof you haven't read them.

The King James Bible and the Jefferson Bible and the Book Of Mormon all say the same thing?

Nope.

And how about the thousands of other holy books?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_text

And don't get me started about contradictions within each bible!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

Yep. Thus, evil is also part of God's will and plan.

No, it's not. God did not make Stan to rebel. Satan did it himself.

God didn't know what Satan was going to do when he created Satan??

It is blasphemous and irrelevant to be questioning God's mind. What is VERY relevant to us is to reject Satan's seduction. That is all that we need to be worried about since our salvation depends on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of non-faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

I am not worried about anyone’s non faith. I have not asked one person what they believe or why they do not believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We (several believers responding to you) are not worried about what you are doing/will do. If you are perfectly content and secure in your non-belief there is really nothing to argue about.

I'm not arguing. I am asking questions. Not once (that I can recall) have I made a claim contrary to anything.

The fact that people are getting riled up over questions is illuminating to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

Why are you so worried about another person’s choice of non-faith? It’s a private and deeply held conviction that does not affect you.

I am not worried about anyone’s non faith. I have not asked one person what they believe or why they do not believe.

Good. In that case you shouldn't be that angry but peaceful and fulfilled in your non-belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

Yep. Thus, evil is also part of God's will and plan.

No, it's not. God did not make Stan to rebel. Satan did it himself.

God didn't know what Satan was going to do when he created Satan??

It is blasphemous and irrelevant to be questioning God's mind. What is VERY relevant to us is to reject Satan's seduction. That is all that we need to be worried about since our salvation depends on it.

Translation: Don't as questions, because they make you think uncomfortable thoughts.

Sorry pp. I was once religious too. I get the comfort it gives to people, but it makes absolutely zero sense. There's no point in explaining anything, because you will just go in circles of "don't question anything, we don't understand God."

Bottom line is, is that's impossible for any God to be monotheistic and the God of everything, and not the deliberate, willing God of evil, pain, suffering, kids getting cancer, etc. Either it's one God, or competing Gods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I just read what's posted in the link. They say the same thing.

More proof you haven't read them.

The King James Bible and the Jefferson Bible and the Book Of Mormon all say the same thing?

Nope.

And how about the thousands of other holy books?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_text

And don't get me started about contradictions within each bible!

I am not familiar with all religious texts. I posted a link that that clearly showed that many versions of the Bible are basically the same, just different phrasing.

I can’t guide you or direct you in your journey to understand religion. It’s something you must be led to and have a personal interest and conviction about.

I don’t know if you are offended or mad or confused about religions of the world, and those who practice them. If you don’t feel led to a certain religion or way to worship a higher power, I sincerely doubt you’ll find much direction or clarity on an anonymous message board. Good luck to you, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wiki's description is very adequate:

"Satan[a] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as a fallen angel, or a jinni, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan

Yep. Thus, evil is also part of God's will and plan.

No, it's not. God did not make Stan to rebel. Satan did it himself.

God didn't know what Satan was going to do when he created Satan??

It is blasphemous and irrelevant to be questioning God's mind. What is VERY relevant to us is to reject Satan's seduction. That is all that we need to be worried about since our salvation depends on it.

Translation: Don't as questions, because they make you think uncomfortable thoughts.

Sorry pp. I was once religious too. I get the comfort it gives to people, but it makes absolutely zero sense. There's no point in explaining anything, because you will just go in circles of "don't question anything, we don't understand God."

Bottom line is, is that's impossible for any God to be monotheistic and the God of everything, and not the deliberate, willing God of evil, pain, suffering, kids getting cancer, etc. Either it's one God, or competing Gods.

Do whatever you want. Don't believe. Search for your evidence. What ever you want. You have free will. You will bear the consequences of your thoughts, words, and actions not me.