I believe in God...and I think s/he's a nasty SOB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

How much introspection is needed to come to a conclusion that God sucks because some bad things happen to you. Seems the opposite of "introspection" to me.

How much introspection is needed to come to the conclusion that it's shockingly callous, blind and thoughtless to respond to a conclusion that a 12-year old boy drew from horrific personal experiences by calling him, "very immature"? Like holy shit, you and PP need therapy.

In any case, Mother Theresa would agree with the 12-year old boy. That was a lady who died at a very old age, after years of service (and some shady proselytization + Protestant-hating behavior, but we'll let that go) and prayer, and she couldn't have faith in God after all of the suffering she had seen. I guarantee she was more introspective than you or the PP.

Could be that "you and PP" are the same person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

How much introspection is needed to come to a conclusion that God sucks because some bad things happen to you. Seems the opposite of "introspection" to me.

How much introspection is needed to come to the conclusion that it's shockingly callous, blind and thoughtless to respond to a conclusion that a 12-year old boy drew from horrific personal experiences by calling him, "very immature"? Like holy shit, you and PP need therapy.

In any case, Mother Theresa would agree with the 12-year old boy. That was a lady who died at a very old age, after years of service (and some shady proselytization + Protestant-hating behavior, but we'll let that go) and prayer, and she couldn't have faith in God after all of the suffering she had seen. I guarantee she was more introspective than you or the PP.

Could be that "you and PP" are the same person.

Nope. I did not question anyone's maturity, but I don't think it's self-evident that coming to the conclusion that God is a lousy whatever-you-want-to-call-Him because something bad happened to you requires much in the way of introspection. Seems like a conclusion you could draw without much thought at all. I'd say going from Bad Thing happened to me, so therefore I hate God (or He doesn't exist) is pretty much the easiest, most direct line you could draw. Again, try reading Job. Lots of bad things happened, and he never blamed God, and indeed saw God as his redeemer. That's something that requires some heavy introspection. His conclusions about God are stunning in their scope, inference and complexity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

How much introspection is needed to come to a conclusion that God sucks because some bad things happen to you. Seems the opposite of "introspection" to me.

How much introspection is needed to come to the conclusion that it's shockingly callous, blind and thoughtless to respond to a conclusion that a 12-year old boy drew from horrific personal experiences by calling him, "very immature"? Like holy shit, you and PP need therapy.

In any case, Mother Theresa would agree with the 12-year old boy. That was a lady who died at a very old age, after years of service (and some shady proselytization + Protestant-hating behavior, but we'll let that go) and prayer, and she couldn't have faith in God after all of the suffering she had seen. I guarantee she was more introspective than you or the PP.

Could be that "you and PP" are the same person.

Nope. I did not question anyone's maturity, but I don't think it's self-evident that coming to the conclusion that God is a lousy whatever-you-want-to-call-Him because something bad happened to you requires much in the way of introspection. Seems like a conclusion you could draw without much thought at all. I'd say going from Bad Thing happened to me, so therefore I hate God (or He doesn't exist) is pretty much the easiest, most direct line you could draw. Again, try reading Job. Lots of bad things happened, and he never blamed God, and indeed saw God as his redeemer. That's something that requires some heavy introspection. His conclusions about God are stunning in their scope, inference and complexity.

Something bad happened, therefore I don't believe there's an invisible deity watching over me seems like a pretty logical conclusion, unless perhaps you're discouraged from thinking logically when it comes to god. Or you're told that doubt is a normal, acceptable part of faith, but that reaching a conclusion of non-belief is not acceptable because the deity will punish you eternally for thinking that.

[Anonymous]

Something bad happened, therefore I don't believe there's an invisible deity watching over me seems like a pretty logical conclusion, unless perhaps you're discouraged from thinking logically when it comes to god. Or you're told that doubt is a normal, acceptable part of faith, but that reaching a conclusion of non-belief is not acceptable because the deity will punish you eternally for thinking that.

Don't you love the idea that it only counts as genuine introspection if you conclude that God must exist? Apparently any other conclusion is shallow and not truly spiritually mature.

Speaking as someone who actually believes in God, I am just going to say that the arrogance is stunning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

How much introspection is needed to come to a conclusion that God sucks because some bad things happen to you. Seems the opposite of "introspection" to me.

How much introspection is needed to come to the conclusion that it's shockingly callous, blind and thoughtless to respond to a conclusion that a 12-year old boy drew from horrific personal experiences by calling him, "very immature"? Like holy shit, you and PP need therapy.

In any case, Mother Theresa would agree with the 12-year old boy. That was a lady who died at a very old age, after years of service (and some shady proselytization + Protestant-hating behavior, but we'll let that go) and prayer, and she couldn't have faith in God after all of the suffering she had seen. I guarantee she was more introspective than you or the PP.

Could be that "you and PP" are the same person.

Nope. I did not question anyone's maturity, but I don't think it's self-evident that coming to the conclusion that God is a lousy whatever-you-want-to-call-Him because something bad happened to you requires much in the way of introspection. Seems like a conclusion you could draw without much thought at all. I'd say going from Bad Thing happened to me, so therefore I hate God (or He doesn't exist) is pretty much the easiest, most direct line you could draw. Again, try reading Job. Lots of bad things happened, and he never blamed God, and indeed saw God as his redeemer. That's something that requires some heavy introspection. His conclusions about God are stunning in their scope, inference and complexity.

No - it requires unwillingness to let go of his preconceived notion of God and to twist himself into a pretzel to justify it. It is a well known human feature. We try to fit the world into the framework we are born to and understand. Any bit of information that doesn't fit with that worldview is dismissed or rationalized away. We all do it - why not Job?

[Anonymous]

Well, OP. One thing is for sure........

You don’t believe in the God that I believe in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, OP. One thing is for sure........

You don’t believe in the God that I believe in.

Not OP, but curious -- do you believe that there is more than one god to believe in? Do you believe that yours is the right one? or the best one? Perhaps you believe that God is an concept, not a being, that can change as people's beliefs change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Something bad happened, therefore I don't believe there's an invisible deity watching over me seems like a pretty logical conclusion, unless perhaps you're discouraged from thinking logically when it comes to god. Or you're told that doubt is a normal, acceptable part of faith, but that reaching a conclusion of non-belief is not acceptable because the deity will punish you eternally for thinking that.

Don't you love the idea that it only counts as genuine introspection if you conclude that God must exist? Apparently any other conclusion is shallow and not truly spiritually mature.

Speaking as someone who actually believes in God, I am just going to say that the arrogance is stunning.

PP here - happy atheist. I noticed that too, and it made me smile. Whatever gets you through I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Something bad happened, therefore I don't believe there's an invisible deity watching over me seems like a pretty logical conclusion, unless perhaps you're discouraged from thinking logically when it comes to god. Or you're told that doubt is a normal, acceptable part of faith, but that reaching a conclusion of non-belief is not acceptable because the deity will punish you eternally for thinking that.

Don't you love the idea that it only counts as genuine introspection if you conclude that God must exist? Apparently any other conclusion is shallow and not truly spiritually mature.

Speaking as someone who actually believes in God, I am just going to say that the arrogance is stunning.

PP here - happy atheist. I noticed that too, and it made me smile. Whatever gets you through I guess.

God either exists or He doesn't. If He exists, I'd say yes, you haven't introspected well if you conclude He doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Prayers for you, and any others here, that are doubting God's unending love for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prayers for you, and any others here, that are doubting God's unending love for you.

Given the context of this thread, how is this anything other than sanctimonious and annoying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Something bad happened, therefore I don't believe there's an invisible deity watching over me seems like a pretty logical conclusion, unless perhaps you're discouraged from thinking logically when it comes to god. Or you're told that doubt is a normal, acceptable part of faith, but that reaching a conclusion of non-belief is not acceptable because the deity will punish you eternally for thinking that.

Don't you love the idea that it only counts as genuine introspection if you conclude that God must exist? Apparently any other conclusion is shallow and not truly spiritually mature.

Speaking as someone who actually believes in God, I am just going to say that the arrogance is stunning.

PP here - happy atheist. I noticed that too, and it made me smile. Whatever gets you through I guess.

God either exists or He doesn't. If He exists, I'd say yes, you haven't introspected well if you conclude He doesn't.

And if He/She doesn't, does that mean you haven't introspected well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound very angry.

+1

I feel really sorry for you, OP. God doesn't promise we won't tested, only that we won't be overcome. I've met genocide survivors who have a healthier mindset than you.

My 12 year son doesn't really believe in God either. He was born into abject poverty with no clean water and little food. As a young child, he watched other children die and many left behind. He realized early on that the only reason he didn't meet the same fate is because his first mother turned him over to an adoption agency. His words, "if there was a God, he wouldn't let babies suffer and children lose their families". There's little I can say. I just listen.

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

wow. you completely misunderstood my post. I guess I was too terse. But I also think you have a very set idea about people who believe in God, and seem not to understand one could believe in God and also believe he is a monster. You (because it is you who posted, not your DS) seem to believe everybody who believes in God believes he is some good person who helps people. Perhaps, though, it is the opposite. Perhaps God exists and he is pure evil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound very angry.

+1

I feel really sorry for you, OP. God doesn't promise we won't tested, only that we won't be overcome. I've met genocide survivors who have a healthier mindset than you.

My 12 year son doesn't really believe in God either. He was born into abject poverty with no clean water and little food. As a young child, he watched other children die and many left behind. He realized early on that the only reason he didn't meet the same fate is because his first mother turned him over to an adoption agency. His words, "if there was a God, he wouldn't let babies suffer and children lose their families". There's little I can say. I just listen.

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

wow. you completely misunderstood my post. I guess I was too terse. But I also think you have a very set idea about people who believe in God, and seem not to understand one could believe in God and also believe he is a monster. You (because it is you who posted, not your DS) seem to believe everybody who believes in God believes he is some good person who helps people. Perhaps, though, it is the opposite. Perhaps God exists and he is pure evil.

Doubtful, or the world would be completely terrible. In reality, only some of the world is terrible some of the time. This suggests no god because of the randomness. Believing in god makes some people feel good, but that doesn't make god real

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound very angry.

+1

I feel really sorry for you, OP. God doesn't promise we won't tested, only that we won't be overcome. I've met genocide survivors who have a healthier mindset than you.

My 12 year son doesn't really believe in God either. He was born into abject poverty with no clean water and little food. As a young child, he watched other children die and many left behind. He realized early on that the only reason he didn't meet the same fate is because his first mother turned him over to an adoption agency. His words, "if there was a God, he wouldn't let babies suffer and children lose their families". There's little I can say. I just listen.

I think this is a very immature imaging of God. God is not the big daddy in the sky. He is far more both wonderful and horrible than that.

Let's see you live as a 12 year old who suffered through poverty death, and then being torn apart from his family. I can already tell, from comparing these two posts, that this 12 year old boys is lightyears ahead of you in emotional maturity: not because of his beliefs but because of the quality of his reflection and introspection, and how badly you look in comparison, with your judgment, lack of compassion, and bad spelling. I hope for your sake that you're not a grown adult, because I'm embarrassed for you.

wow. you completely misunderstood my post. I guess I was too terse. But I also think you have a very set idea about people who believe in God, and seem not to understand one could believe in God and also believe he is a monster. You (because it is you who posted, not your DS) seem to believe everybody who believes in God believes he is some good person who helps people. Perhaps, though, it is the opposite. Perhaps God exists and he is pure evil.

Doubtful, or the world would be completely terrible. In reality, only some of the world is terrible some of the time. This suggests no god because of the randomness. Believing in god makes some people feel good, but that doesn't make god real

Perhaps. Perhaps all our suffering, all our pain is completely pointless. Just some randomness out of the bizarre fact that a universe exists. But, yes, it makes me feel better to think that all this suffering has a cause, and it is evil. It feels less cruel to me that way. And I don't think it hurts anything for me to believe this, even if it is not true.