Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?

Is it denigrating to disagree when the subject is belief in God? Is is criticism or is it description? "Self deception" and "belief in magic" are terms often used when describing religion -- just as "comfort" and "faith" are often used.

I think the killings have diminished some people's faith - just not the people responding here. Why would that not be the case? Not everyone reacts the same way to everything. When 9 innocent people in a church are killed by a crazed gunman, not everyone concludes that God was showing his love and great mercy for those people in some way we just don't understand right now. Certainly some people are asking "How could god let such a horrible thing happen? and not coming up with an answer that elicits continued faith in him. Are those people to be muzzled? to be told they're wrong. God is not known for making his motives clear. People have been trying to figure him out for centuries.

God doesn't let things happen. He gave us free will. Would you rather be controlled every single day, in every little thing you do?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. The way they show forgiveness is amazing and inspiring. It's an example of God's love.

People always like to credit "god" with the good, and never the bad. If the HUMAN forgiveness is an "example of God's love," why isn't the shooting an example of God's hatred and bloodlust?

Because God is good and God is love. God shows himself in good things and is supporting these people during this awful time. They are filled with faith and are leaning on God, and he is giving them strength.

So God lets this tragedy happen to bolster the people's love for him? It's a rather immoral way of going about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of God would allow THAT?

You sound like a jerk. Never say that to a person who is going thru something terrible

How is that a jerky response?

We can't question horrible acts? Why does God allow children to be raped? Why does God allow people to be swept away in storms? Why does God allow the death of babies? the beating of animals? acts of terrorism in the name of some god or "God?"

Smart people question; blind followers are just that - blind.

It’s called man’s free will. And, sin.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. The way they show forgiveness is amazing and inspiring. It's an example of God's love.

People always like to credit "god" with the good, and never the bad. If the HUMAN forgiveness is an "example of God's love," why isn't the shooting an example of God's hatred and bloodlust?

Because God is good and God is love. God shows himself in good things and is supporting these people during this awful time. They are filled with faith and are leaning on God, and he is giving them strength.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of God would allow THAT?

You sound like a jerk. Never say that to a person who is going thru something terrible

How is that a jerky response?

We can't question horrible acts? Why does God allow children to be raped? Why does God allow people to be swept away in storms? Why does God allow the death of babies? the beating of animals? acts of terrorism in the name of some god or "God?"

Smart people question; blind followers are just that - blind.

Do you really think that is appropriate to say when attending a funeral? Can you not let the grieving family have some peace before attacking their faith?

Even so, why do so now and not some other time?
Why did you not ask that when Nepal had an earthquake, Trayvon Martin was killed?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of God would allow THAT?

You sound like a jerk. Never say that to a person who is going thru something terrible

How is that a jerky response?

We can't question horrible acts? Why does God allow children to be raped? Why does God allow people to be swept away in storms? Why does God allow the death of babies? the beating of animals? acts of terrorism in the name of some god or "God?"

Smart people question; blind followers are just that - blind.

Do you really think that is appropriate to say when attending a funeral? Can you not let the grieving family have some peace before attacking their faith?

Even so, why do so now and not some other time?
Why did you not ask that when Nepal had an earthquake, Trayvon Martin was killed?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of God would allow THAT?

You sound like a jerk. Never say that to a person who is going thru something terrible

How is that a jerky response?

We can't question horrible acts? Why does God allow children to be raped? Why does God allow people to be swept away in storms? Why does God allow the death of babies? the beating of animals? acts of terrorism in the name of some god or "God?"

Smart people question; blind followers are just that - blind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?

Is it denigrating to disagree when the subject is belief in God? Is is criticism or is it description? "Self deception" and "belief in magic" are terms often used when describing religion -- just as "comfort" and "faith" are often used.

I think the killings have diminished some people's faith - just not the people responding here. Why would that not be the case? Not everyone reacts the same way to everything. When 9 innocent people in a church are killed by a crazed gunman, not everyone concludes that God was showing his love and great mercy for those people in some way we just don't understand right now. Certainly some people are asking "How could god let such a horrible thing happen? and not coming up with an answer that elicits continued faith in him. Are those people to be muzzled? to be told they're wrong. God is not known for making his motives clear. People have been trying to figure him out for centuries.

These unenlightened need to be reached, I agree.

Perhaps God's light will shine upon them - or maybe some good Christians could volunteer to witness to people whose faith has wavered because of this tragedy. They need people with strong faith to explain to them how this fits into God's plan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?

Is it denigrating to disagree when the subject is belief in God? Is is criticism or is it description? "Self deception" and "belief in magic" are terms often used when describing religion -- just as "comfort" and "faith" are often used.

I think the killings have diminished some people's faith - just not the people responding here. Why would that not be the case? Not everyone reacts the same way to everything. When 9 innocent people in a church are killed by a crazed gunman, not everyone concludes that God was showing his love and great mercy for those people in some way we just don't understand right now. Certainly some people are asking "How could god let such a horrible thing happen? and not coming up with an answer that elicits continued faith in him. Are those people to be muzzled? to be told they're wrong. God is not known for making his motives clear. People have been trying to figure him out for centuries.

These unenlightened need to be reached, I agree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?

Is it denigrating to disagree when the subject is belief in God? Is is criticism or is it description? "Self deception" and "belief in magic" are terms often used when describing religion -- just as "comfort" and "faith" are often used.

I think the killings have diminished some people's faith - just not the people responding here. Why would that not be the case? Not everyone reacts the same way to everything. When 9 innocent people in a church are killed by a crazed gunman, not everyone concludes that God was showing his love and great mercy for those people in some way we just don't understand right now. Certainly some people are asking "How could god let such a horrible thing happen? and not coming up with an answer that elicits continued faith in him. Are those people to be muzzled? to be told they're wrong. God is not known for making his motives clear. People have been trying to figure him out for centuries.

God doesn't let things happen. He gave us free will. Would you rather be controlled every single day, in every little thing you do?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?

Is it denigrating to disagree when the subject is belief in God? Is is criticism or is it description? "Self deception" and "belief in magic" are terms often used when describing religion -- just as "comfort" and "faith" are often used.

I think the killings have diminished some people's faith - just not the people responding here. Why would that not be the case? Not everyone reacts the same way to everything. When 9 innocent people in a church are killed by a crazed gunman, not everyone concludes that God was showing his love and great mercy for those people in some way we just don't understand right now. Certainly some people are asking "How could god let such a horrible thing happen? and not coming up with an answer that elicits continued faith in him. Are those people to be muzzled? to be told they're wrong. God is not known for making his motives clear. People have been trying to figure him out for centuries.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?

Is it denigrating to disagree when the subject is belief in God? Is is criticism or is it description? "Self deception" and "belief in magic" are terms often used when describing religion -- just as "comfort" and "faith" are often used.

I think the killings have diminished some people's faith - just not the people responding here. Why would that not be the case? Not everyone reacts the same way to everything. When 9 innocent people in a church are killed by a crazed gunman, not everyone concludes that God was showing his love and great mercy for those people in some way we just don't understand right now. Certainly some people are asking "How could god let such a horrible thing happen? and not coming up with an answer that elicits continued faith in him. Are those people to be muzzled? to be told they're wrong. God is not known for making his motives clear. People have been trying to figure him out for centuries.

Anonymous wrote:"Expressing their feelings" is great, but why denigrate people? Why say it's" self-deception" and belief in "magic?" In other words 1. Why criticize people? 2. How does that affect you? If you believe they are self-deceived and believe in crazy, old myths, so what? Move along. Again, the answer seems to be that no, the shootings in Charleston have not diminished people's faith. Does that require debate?