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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

[Anonymous]

I struggle with a lot of issues but this is not one of them. No matter how horrible the suffering it is minor in the context of eternity.

I don’t know the “why” of suffering, or why the universe is constructed the way it is to include it. The point is not to second guess God, who may not exist at all. The point is to gain meaning and a sense of your smallness. Our lives are meant to be lived in service to each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

God owes no human being no explanation or human justice whatsoever. We are supposed to fear and obey Abrahamic God. He is not like pagan deity or a genie that you bargain with: do this, get that. It doesn't work that way. Abrahamic God is pure love, light, and justice. People don't like the justice/consequence part because it doesn't suit them. All-loving, merciful God who died for us on the cross will return as the Judge. What we do in the meantime really matters, especially intentions of our heart. God did not create suffering, illness, and hate in the wold, Satan and human sin created it, and individual and group destinies are a result of those accumulated curses and sins. Yes, on individual basis it is not fair. But we have to understand the totality of God, which can only be understood by reading the Bible and praying. We can be praying all our lives and an answer could be no. Because bargaining does not work with Abrahamic God, just a total, unhinged, non-bargaining generational obedience works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always amazed at the creative explanations Christians can come up with as an answer to your question. It makes me think they are so invested in their faith and beliefs that they will rationalize anything in order to preserve it.

Stockholm syndrome. For those that only credit God with the good, loving, just, savior, etc type identity - and not the cruel, evil, tormenting, sinister, etc type identities (ie, God actually being EVERYTHING).

[Anonymous]

Because "I don't understand it, therefore it can't be real" is an illogical and egotistic thing to say

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because "I don't understand it, therefore it can't be real" is an illogical and egotistic thing to say

Logical/illogical is irrelevant from a religious perspective.

[Anonymous]

We humans are all the same. No one is better than anyone else. There are no chosen people. No ones suffering is greater than anyone else. The world is corrupted by greed. I pray there is an all loving God that cares for everyone. There may be nothing. Humans need to help anyone who is suffering!

[Anonymous]

I have questions like yours, OP. And no answers. I want to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

God owes no human being no explanation or human justice whatsoever. We are supposed to fear and obey Abrahamic God. He is not like pagan deity or a genie that you bargain with: do this, get that. It doesn't work that way. Abrahamic God is pure love, light, and justice. People don't like the justice/consequence part because it doesn't suit them. All-loving, merciful God who died for us on the cross will return as the Judge. What we do in the meantime really matters, especially intentions of our heart. God did not create suffering, illness, and hate in the wold, Satan and human sin created it, and individual and group destinies are a result of those accumulated curses and sins. Yes, on individual basis it is not fair. But we have to understand the totality of God, which can only be understood by reading the Bible and praying. We can be praying all our lives and an answer could be no. Because bargaining does not work with Abrahamic God, just a total, unhinged, non-bargaining generational obedience works.

So live in fear, praying all the time and hoping to be seen as good enough.

Sounds like an abusive relationship to me.

Your post is one of the many reasons I turned away from religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

God owes no human being no explanation or human justice whatsoever. We are supposed to fear and obey Abrahamic God. He is not like pagan deity or a genie that you bargain with: do this, get that. It doesn't work that way. Abrahamic God is pure love, light, and justice. People don't like the justice/consequence part because it doesn't suit them. All-loving, merciful God who died for us on the cross will return as the Judge. What we do in the meantime really matters, especially intentions of our heart. God did not create suffering, illness, and hate in the wold, Satan and human sin created it, and individual and group destinies are a result of those accumulated curses and sins. Yes, on individual basis it is not fair. But we have to understand the totality of God, which can only be understood by reading the Bible and praying. We can be praying all our lives and an answer could be no. Because bargaining does not work with Abrahamic God, just a total, unhinged, non-bargaining generational obedience works.

So live in fear, praying all the time and hoping to be seen as good enough.

Sounds like an abusive relationship to me.

Your post is one of the many reasons I turned away from religion.

Good. religion is not there to serve you. The point fo religion si to serve God. Everything else is easy-beleivism. There is plenty of that to go around and you can have a pick of what suits you the best. It may make you feel good now but it won't deliver eternal life. In the end, we prepare our own bed for eternity (we have free will) and not choosing to obey God is certainly one way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

God owes no human being no explanation or human justice whatsoever. We are supposed to fear and obey Abrahamic God. He is not like pagan deity or a genie that you bargain with: do this, get that. It doesn't work that way. Abrahamic God is pure love, light, and justice. People don't like the justice/consequence part because it doesn't suit them. All-loving, merciful God who died for us on the cross will return as the Judge. What we do in the meantime really matters, especially intentions of our heart. God did not create suffering, illness, and hate in the wold, Satan and human sin created it, and individual and group destinies are a result of those accumulated curses and sins. Yes, on individual basis it is not fair. But we have to understand the totality of God, which can only be understood by reading the Bible and praying. We can be praying all our lives and an answer could be no. Because bargaining does not work with Abrahamic God, just a total, unhinged, non-bargaining generational obedience works.

So live in fear, praying all the time and hoping to be seen as good enough.

Sounds like an abusive relationship to me.

Your post is one of the many reasons I turned away from religion.

Good. religion is not there to serve you. The point fo religion si to serve God. Everything else is easy-beleivism. There is plenty of that to go around and you can have a pick of what suits you the best. It may make you feel good now but it won't deliver eternal life. In the end, we prepare our own bed for eternity (we have free will) and not choosing to obey God is certainly one way.

Every time you post, you show me more of the reasons I walked away. I'm not concerned with eternal life. I Don't concern myself with pits of fire, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

God owes no human being no explanation or human justice whatsoever. We are supposed to fear and obey Abrahamic God. He is not like pagan deity or a genie that you bargain with: do this, get that. It doesn't work that way. Abrahamic God is pure love, light, and justice. People don't like the justice/consequence part because it doesn't suit them. All-loving, merciful God who died for us on the cross will return as the Judge. What we do in the meantime really matters, especially intentions of our heart. God did not create suffering, illness, and hate in the wold, Satan and human sin created it, and individual and group destinies are a result of those accumulated curses and sins. Yes, on individual basis it is not fair. But we have to understand the totality of God, which can only be understood by reading the Bible and praying. We can be praying all our lives and an answer could be no. Because bargaining does not work with Abrahamic God, just a total, unhinged, non-bargaining generational obedience works.

So live in fear, praying all the time and hoping to be seen as good enough.

Sounds like an abusive relationship to me.

Your post is one of the many reasons I turned away from religion.

Good. religion is not there to serve you. The point fo religion si to serve God. Everything else is easy-beleivism. There is plenty of that to go around and you can have a pick of what suits you the best. It may make you feel good now but it won't deliver eternal life. In the end, we prepare our own bed for eternity (we have free will) and not choosing to obey God is certainly one way.

Every time you post, you show me more of the reasons I walked away. I'm not concerned with eternal life. I Don't concern myself with pits of fire, either.

So, why are you here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because heaven is not on earth. Eternal life and joy beyond our comprehension is the promise God made and he sent his son Jesus to get us there. God does not create sin in this world. That is the devil.

Cop out. God created the devil. Why?

He created the angel, who then turned on God. Again, free will.

So God either can't or won't protect children. Why?

It's complex because humans cannot comprehend the mind of God. Basically in one supernatural event God created all that is known and unknown in the universe, including the human race. He gave them completely free will, including the way the history plays out as an aggregate of human actions. God seldom interferes, except for things that are prophesied to happen. He is letting the history, including individual destinies play as as an aggregate of all previous actions, especially actions of one's ancestors. But with every singles, minute decision that a person make every day God is looking for obedience of His Will. He is hoping that in every moment we will make decisions based on His Law/Grace. Big events in life/history are a cumulative result of small decisions, if they were in obedience/disobedience to Him. God will not interfere with human life. He will do it on the Judgment Day. He sent his Son so we can communicate to the Father through the Son.

All I get out of that is that somehow the kids were disobedient in their short lives. Or their ancestors were, so they just happen to be the ones to suffer for it.

I have a family member who is grateful that her son's illness brought them all closer to God. So.... mission accomplished, I guess. No matter that a young boy has now gone through cancer twice... they are all closer to God.

I maintain that if God were human, he would be seen as a controlling, abusive jerk.

God owes no human being no explanation or human justice whatsoever. We are supposed to fear and obey Abrahamic God. He is not like pagan deity or a genie that you bargain with: do this, get that. It doesn't work that way. Abrahamic God is pure love, light, and justice. People don't like the justice/consequence part because it doesn't suit them. All-loving, merciful God who died for us on the cross will return as the Judge. What we do in the meantime really matters, especially intentions of our heart. God did not create suffering, illness, and hate in the wold, Satan and human sin created it, and individual and group destinies are a result of those accumulated curses and sins. Yes, on individual basis it is not fair. But we have to understand the totality of God, which can only be understood by reading the Bible and praying. We can be praying all our lives and an answer could be no. Because bargaining does not work with Abrahamic God, just a total, unhinged, non-bargaining generational obedience works.

So live in fear, praying all the time and hoping to be seen as good enough.

Sounds like an abusive relationship to me.

Your post is one of the many reasons I turned away from religion.

Good. religion is not there to serve you. The point fo religion si to serve God. Everything else is easy-beleivism. There is plenty of that to go around and you can have a pick of what suits you the best. It may make you feel good now but it won't deliver eternal life. In the end, we prepare our own bed for eternity (we have free will) and not choosing to obey God is certainly one way.

Every time you post, you show me more of the reasons I walked away. I'm not concerned with eternal life. I Don't concern myself with pits of fire, either.

You have to allow God, can't resist god at every turn and then blame for everything wrong in your life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always amazed at the creative explanations Christians can come up with as an answer to your question. It makes me think they are so invested in their faith and beliefs that they will rationalize anything in order to preserve it.

Yup. But, to their defense, the punishment disbelief is eternal torture. Fear is a powerful motivator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am always amazed at the creative explanations Christians can come up with as an answer to your question. It makes me think they are so invested in their faith and beliefs that they will rationalize anything in order to preserve it.

Yup. But, to their defense, the punishment disbelief is eternal torture. Fear is a powerful motivator.

Some feel they have to or they won't be granted eternal life.

LDS, for example. Or possibly Jehovah's witnesses.