No, God does NOT have the right to make rules for us - and here's why . . . .

by nicolaou 53 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  nicolaou

  Reading through reniaa's latest topic I found the following sorts of comments from believers and unbelievers alike. I think they show how habits of thought run most easily along the well grooved and often travelled ruts in our minds. We need to question these 'obvious truths' more often . . . .

  To reniaa's question; "Does God have the right to make rules for us?

  BluesBrother: "Yes of course, otherwise He is no good as a God at all"
  
  keyser soze: "If he exists, then yes."
  
  Yknot: "If you believe in God, then yes."
  
  mouthy: "Yes MY GOD has the right to make rules for me"
  
  undercover: "If you can prove he exists . . . . . . I'll concede that he has the right make rules for us."
  
  Spike Tassel: "We live in Jehovah's Universe, so yes, Absolutely."

  If god is real (and if he is the source of life) I would certainly acknowledge that and give him thanks for my existence and for the universe I live in. But why must I automatically be obedient to any rules he makes for me? Why are we defaulting to the conclusion that if god exists he has the right to rule us?

  Think of it like this. Your parents gave you life and raised you but no matter how grateful you are, no matter how much you may respect them and even love them - even if they were exemplary parents you would not be expected to always obey them. Why?

  Because you have grown up!

  Do we have free will or not? As a grown man with a wife and children of my own wouldn't it be a bit odd if I always, unquestioningly obeyed my parents? What parent would want that servile attitude from their grown children anyway?

  Only a controlling and jealous one.
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  sir82

  Yep that's the whole issue right there.

  "Free will" isn't "free" after all, if you are punished for making the "wrong" choice.
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  PSacramento

  God never forced his rules on anyone, just like parents don't.

  We can make the rules and force them to a certain extent, though every parent prefers their child to do the right thing because it is right, not because its the rule or because of recompense.

  Just like God.
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  sir82

  God never forced his rules on anyone, just like parents don't.

  A. "Give me all your money, or I will shoot you in the head."

  B. "Obey me / have faith in me, or I will send you to hell / eternally destroy you."

  Is there a fundamental difference between statement A and statement B? If so please explain it to me cuz i sure don't see it.
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  daniel-p

  THe purpose of rules is to enforce behavior. It doesn't make sense for God to create humans as free will agents, but expect them to follow a set pattern of behavior.

  It does make sense, however, for other humans to say that God has certain rules, and to take on the authority to enforce them. Perfect sense.
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  nicolaou

  God never forced his rules on anyone, just like parents don't.

  Idiocy.
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  undercover

  IF...IF God existed...as claimed by most Christian churches, in that he created all things and is the Universal Sovereign, then I do concede that he can set the rules. I don't think all religions claim that God gave us complete free will, only limited free will.

  I live in the USofA. I am subject to their laws (rules) yet I have free will to do certain things under that rule. But if I go too far or hurt others, then those laws (rules) will be enforced upon me for going beyonds the limit of freedom I was given.

  It's a pointless argument however, because no one can prove that God exists and that he is ruling over anyone or anything.

  Using the government comparison again...I can see the government, I can hear the government, I can complain to the government, I can even lobby to change some of their rules. God is a no show. If he truly were the Universal Sovreign and lived up to the hype and proved his worthiness, I would have to at least consider that he is the man...
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  PSacramento

  Sir 82,

  A gun is real, hell is subjective, HUGE difference !
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  sir82

  A gun is real, hell is subjective, HUGE difference !

  Of course, my (unwritten) assumption was that both the gun and hell were real.
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  Farkel

  A real God wouldn't make any rules and would forgive all sins, IMNSHO.

  We already know all we need to know. It doesn't mean we can never break our own rules regarding human decency. It does mean we don't need any more rules than what we are naturally born with. This is called natural knowing.

  And if you don't like that opinion, I've got lots of other opinions!

  Farkel