Anyone who does not believe those ludicrous things becomes not a 'real christian' but just one who is making things up that they want to believe
What exactly was ludicrous? People are victims of crime, and god does nothing to protect. You agree. People starve, and god lets it happen. You agree. Monsters roam the earth and do horrific things to huge groups of people. You agree. What part was ludicrous? Or are you really saying that because of his wisdom, we have no right to question the inaction of a god that believers are always trying to assure us is loving and powerful?
But I think it is also valid that this world is as it is because of our choices throughout the ages.
We agree 100%. And so, we are both operating as though there is no god. People do things. Others suffer. The existence of a god that does not act, and no god at all changes nothing about this.
If we had focused on finding balance on this planet, feeding the people, caring for one another... instead of enslaving others, finding any reason to do it and to take what we want/need
Are you a slave for god? Did Jesus condone slavery? Did he ever say set the slaves free?
But we won't find that world by abolishing the notion of God.
Perhaps not, but we certainly have not found that world by nourishing the notion of a god either. On the contrary, such notions have even intensified suffering at times.
Without religion, another tool would have been found. Leaders would have found a way to paint people who have what they want as their enemies, so they could take what they want, still.
Possibly, but I think you are letting god belief off the hook. Believers weren't always the pawns of kings, on the contrary, it was often reversed. I suppose you are right though. If someone is cutting people up with an axe, what sense does it make to take away the axe---they will only pick up a machete.
He does provide. He has provided a planet capable of feeding everyone on it. Children starve to death because of the choices of humanity (overpopulation, greed, money spent on things other than getting food to starving children, etc).
Again we both agree that malnutrition is often brought on by the actions of humans. So again, we are both operating in a god free zone here. The planet has the food, we won't share. God is absolved of all inaction. It is up to us. Let's not waste time praying and building churches.
As for healing, like what Christ and the apostles did... no one was healed who did not have the faith to be healed. (or at least also the faith to do the healing) I do not mean some wishy-washy 'belief'. But faith - the knowing (no doubting) that one will be healed, or that one can heal.
If this were true, then the faithful would be healed. The unfaithful would never go into spontaneous remission. Children that are still too young for faith---nevermind---it only gets stickier. One must have faith to be healed---but don't count on it. I'm sure such a notion brings a great deal of comfort to the faithful that are suffering terribly. The problem is their faith.
Peter walked on water because of his faith... until he doubted, and then began to sink.
So this is a part of the bible that you believe was accurately transmitted and not corrupted in any way. But if I were to point out some of the atrocities, you would tell me that we don't need to accept that part. Good to know. Walking on water---yes. Genocide---not so much.
NC
