Like Ar Cosc said, why isn't Europe suffering the same destitution? Estonia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, France, Netherlands, Latvia, Slovenia, Iceland, and the UK all have <40% of their population believe in a God. So why are these places consistently on the "best places to live" lists? Apparently fountains of blessing don't necessarily follow high rates of belief in God and pain and suffering don't follow large rates of disbelief...
Based on the UN's Human Development Index, (with % non-religious):
1. Norway (51.5%)
2. Australia (18.7%)
3. New Zealand (34.7%)
4. United States
5. Ireland
6. Liechtenstein
7. Netherlands (47%)
8. Canada (25%)
9. Sweden (65.5%)
10. Germany (40%)
11. Japan (74%)
12. South Korea (41%)
13. Switzerland (40-50%)
14. France (53.5%)
15. Israel
Human Development Index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Irreligion by country - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HMMMMMMMMM......the belief in God apparently has little effect on the success of a nation...........
HMMMMM Thanks for the index. What do the percentages stand for and where did they come from? I didn't see them on that website.
BTW "I" never suggested "fountains of blessings" were only from God, as a matter of fact, that was YOUR terminology and twisting. I was talking about God helping people and nations when the turn to Him. That is not to say that there are not nations that can and will prosper without God. You are not opening my eyes to anything, because it is all in the scriptures. But also, in the scriptures is their end results and in the news we are seeing this beginning to happen.
Back to the twisting thing... Just for fun let's look at that. It starts out with you guys accusing God of all the "bad" that happens in the world (I defend that by putting the blame where it belongs on people and the god of this world), and then you suggest that "I" am saying that "fountains of blessings" are a "sign" of God's blessing. See how YOU twist things. I never said "fountains of blessings" were verification of God's blessings. Nor does the Bible teach this.
Let me give you a few examples of what the scriptures say. Now lest you get "confused", I want you to know that these scriptures are NOT saying it is wrong to have riches or wealth. They are just to show you that both the wicked and the righteous have wealth. It is NOT necessarily a VERIFICATION of God's blessing upon a nation or individual. And I will add to that... NOT having wealth is NOT a VERIFICATION of NOT having God or having God. AND YES, there is much more to it on both sides.
(note: I add the bold and capitalizations in the scriptures)
Gen 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Gen 24:35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are
RICH IN THIS WORLD, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
(THIS WAS WRITTEN TO CHRISTIANS ABOUT CHRISTIANS)
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold,
these are the UNGODLY, who PROSPER IN THE WORLD; they increase in riches.
Psa 37:35 I have seen the
WICKED in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psa 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Psa 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Psa 52:5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
Psa 52:6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Psa 52:7 Lo,
this is the man that MADE NOT GOD HIS STRENGTH; but trusted in the ABUNDANCE OF HIS RICHES, and strengthened himself in his WICKEDNESS. (I included verses 2-4 ... sounds like you guys doesn't it - not a good place to be)
This is what is going to happen in the last days of this world's system. It's all going to crumble. I suggest you don't trust in that but trust in God.
Jas 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men,
weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
Jas 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
Jas 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Rev. 18 tells of the fall of this world's system that has been around since the beginning of man's fall.
Rev 18:17 For in
one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
Rev 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!
for in one hour is she made desolate.
