"Man was created in Gods image"

Dansk

OK, we've all read/heard this one before and I've asked a question on someone's thread a long time ago that just disappeared. By giving the topic its own thread I'm hoping someone can give me the definitive answer............(but I'm not holding my breath!).

Right, my point is, if we are made in God's image that means we reflect his (good) qualities. One of these qualities must surely be wanting to assist our fellow man. For example, if I saw someone innocentlygoing along and then suddenly being attacked by a thug I'd feel compelled to intervene as, I daresay, most, if not all, of us would. Christians might say that such a wanting to help is because it is a godly quality; that God loves us and so we, being made in his image, want to display this love to others.

That being the case, when I watch those old newsreels on television showing millions of Jews going to the gas chamber, including tiny little children holding a parent's hand, and others having dug a trench and lined up in it and they are then shot as simply as someone might swat a fly (not to mention 28,000,000 Russians killed - latest archive figures), my immediate reaction is to want to somehow stop time, reach in the TV and save everyone from such atrocities. Why, then, if I am made in God's image and want to save every poor soul treated in such a manner did God not intervene immediately? If I, a mere mortal human, want to give assistance then why, oh why, didn't the most powerful and LOVING (?) God in the universe actually do something about it?

Dansk

obiwan

I think to teach us a lesson. What that lesson is, I don't know. Questions that will only be answered by one person....so there will never be an answer my friend.

Robdar

Good question Dansk.

If we imagine death to be the most horrible thing possible, then there is no answer as to how a loving God wouldn't intervene. For him not to interfere would be tragic.

But, if we imagine death to be only the beginning of something beautiful that comes after this physical, limited existence, then we would believe it tragic if God did intervene.

I have no evidence to support my speculation but please indulge me for a moment. What if that which comes after life is so wonderful, so incredibly beautiful, that God doesn't intervene because he doesn't want to interrupt our happiness?

If God does have the power of resurrection (if he has the power to give life, then he does) why would he be bothered by death? Would you be, if you had that power?

Robyn

Dansk

But, if we imagine death to be only the beginning of something beautiful that comes after this physical, limited existence, then we would believe it tragic if God did intervene.

But what about those loved ones left behind, which compounds the problem? Some agonise and never get over it, taking their own lives or ending up in a mental assylum.

If God is so loving, we shouldn't have to imagine anything. No-one should be put through such heinous cruelty, whether there be a paradise after death or not. That's a typical JW teaching: "Don't worry about terrible pain and being gassed, hacked to death or seeing your children raped before your eyes in this life - God loves you and has a Paradise waiting for you!"

Sorry, can't buy into that!

Regards,

Dansk

Robdar

Dansk, it's a big universe. Are you saying that we shouldn't imagine anything? What about space travel? Advances in quantum physics? Why shouldn't we imagine? Even if we live forever (which we wont, I know) we could never begin to see all there is to see. So, why not imagine?

If you want all the answers now, sorry, it aint gonna happen. This applies to everything.

Yes, there is grief for those left behind. Parting is never easy whether it is moving a thousand miles away or dying. Emotions are going to flow

I thought that you might dismiss what I had to say. That you would shrug it off as typical witness reasoning.

I guess you haven't read enough of my posts to know that I am so far removed from the JWs and Christianity, I can barely relate to it. But how would you know? I will forgive your insult because you are obviously distressed and you obviously don't know me.

When you find a better answer, please let me know.

Robyn

SpannerintheWorks

Yes, Dansk, a thoughtful way of asking, "why does God allow suffering?"

Robyn,

Just because God didn't intervene doesn't prove that there is indeed an afterlife. And if there were, and that is why God didn't intervene, then why doesn't he just annihilate us all now, so we can enjoy this wonderful existence of an afterlife. In fact, it that is the case, why even bother to have us exist in this life at all? ; he could just have us be put into wherever place this beautiful afterlife is, and do away with this inferior existence. Much easier and sensible if you ask me! Then at least there wouldn't be so many conflicting religions, all of which claim to have the sole possession of what is truth and that which is not.

Spanner

Dansk

Robdar,

My post was in no way meant as an insult - it isn't my style. It was a generalisation on JWs; I wasn't saying that YOU were part of that generalisation!

As for my being "distressed", I'm not at all. I'm at the happiest I've been for a long time. My thread is to find out how someone can say we are made in God's image and yet, if there is a God, the cruelty that abounds is contrary to that statement.

As for imagining this, that and the other - I have been a dreamer for far too long. 'Today' is all that matters and the truth that it contains.

In friendship,

Dansk

Robdar

Sigh, the last thing I wanted was a theological discussion. I only wanted to try to comfort Dansk in his dark time. But here goes:

Just because God didn't intervene doesn't prove that there is indeed an afterlife.

True. But it doesn't prove otherwise either.

then why doesn't he just annihilate us all now, so we can enjoy this wonderful existence of an afterlife.

Why do that when there is so much to enjoy and experience in this life?

In fact, it that is the case, why even bother to have us exist in this life at all?

IMO, It all comes down to energy and vibrations. We are here because this is where we vibrate. Does that make sense? To go to another dimension, we need a different energy. Perhaps, through careful introspection, happiness, joy and love, we raise our vibration. Then, when we "shuffle off this mortal coil" go to place that suits our vibrations best.

he could just have us be put into wherever place this beautiful afterlife is, and do away with this inferior existence.

How is this existence inferior, Spanner?

Much easier and sensible if you ask me!

Thanks for your opinion but with all due respect, you ain't God. But you are incredibly intelligent and sexy!

Then at least there wouldn't be so many conflicting religions, all of which claim to have the sole possession of what is truth and that which is not.

These claims are nothing but human ego yapping on ad naseum. Religion has nothing to do with God. Why confuse the 2?

Love,

Robyn

Robdar

Dansk, I do not believe that we were made in God's image. I believe that we made God in our image.

I am glad that you are well. Your post seemed rather depressed.

Love,

Robyn

SpannerintheWorks

Hi, Robyn,

I know you don't want to get into a theological discussion, so I will understand if you don't reply, but I would just like to say a couple of things.

Why do that when there is so much to enjoy and experience in this life?

That was one of my points.

How is this existence inferior, Spanner?

If what you say is true, viz:

if we imagine death to be only the beginning of something beautiful that comes after this physical, limited existence

Religion has nothing to do with God

I couldn't agree more, Robyn.

Take care,

Spanner

"Man was created in Gods image"

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