a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Perry your image of god is true to the vindictive & capricious invention of bible writers. Pat Robertson's god is a lot like yours.
Most christians are a lot nicer but in reality they have invented a god that is not true to scripture.
It is the most honest, and most unpleasant, answer to the problem of theodicy
The problem of suffering is only a problem if you assume god is love. Your god is a complete bastard; therefore no problem!
i'm not that good at quoting the bible.
i see no value in learning verses by heart, sorry.
however, i just learned that in the new world translation (the organization's bible), john 10:30, jesus is said to say "i and the father are one".
Its a favourite text of trinitarians but it reads too much into the text. The wt position that the "oneness" referred simply to unity of purpose is not unreasonable.
Jesus prayed that his followers may be "one" in the same way. Shame that they have proved to be anything but one and have slain each other in great numbers.
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Perry - If you actually have a point be sure to speak up.
I thought the thread was about theodicy? Where did Dawkins and cosmology come in?
The reification of Evil - any thoughts?
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Perry is making the common error of the "reification" of evil.
To reify is to 'thingify': to treat an abstraction as a material thing.
Invent a word that expresses our utmost revulsion for things that cause extreme unnecessary suffering. Then reify that concept to give it an independent existence. Then use this "thing" as a scapegoat for all that is bad, and juxtaposition it with ultimate good which we call god.
Voila!
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Define "evil".
We all know what suffering is, but what is evil?
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
No Perry I am not dull and I try to refrain form personal attacks - give it a try.
To say that atheists have zero (why the capitals) logical explanation for the anomaly of evil is like saying the Rev Ian Paisley has no explanation for the mystery of transubstantiation.
You can't just invent an agency and give it a name and then challenge others to explain it. The causes of suffering are much more mundane, no devils or demons.
As for atheists quoting JWs I don't know what you mean. Perhaps you could address the original question?
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Perry - The thread is about god and suffering. I know its a hard question but really, your last post isn't even wrong
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Exactly! That is why religion should not be dismissed as harmless. In my opinion people who left the borg and got stuck in religion have yet to complete their escape
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Jeff - and don't forget that all the suffering there has ever been will pale in comparison with what sky daddy has in store for the billions who have not groveled to him sufficiently in this life
a few weeks back, in the midst of the haiti tragedy, much discussion took place in cyberland about the tolerance [or indeed the insistence on] suffering by a loving god.
the furor over haiti has settled a bit [as unfortunately most tragedy is wont to do far too quickly in the human mind], but this persistent matter continues to chew at my subconscience.
today i came across this:.
Jaguarbass, interesting thoughts.
You speak about, upsides and downsides, peace, rewards and options. Is it not more productive to pursue evidence regardless of whether it leads to conclusions we find comforting?
"Sit down before a fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing" - Thomas Henry Huxley
