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It's universal. We all have (invisible) ticking time bombs inside of us. For some it goes off when they are 2, for others when they are 92.
You have voiced the mystery of the ages quite well.It seems to me the problem of evil is a real problem, and it is my main barrier to faith. I just have trouble believing in a benevolent creator that cares about people- I see no evidence for it in this world. There is gross unfairness and suffering in the world and I don't believe Christians can account for it.
I grant that I could be wrong, that somehow there is a God in charge of it all and its just like the Christian God and is beyond my understanding. But it would be pretty cruel for such a being to hold honest doubts against me, given the quality of evidence he's left.
And honestly, if it is the case that God exists and he has such a mysterious plan, what does that say about Christian epistemology? How could we take any religious authority seriously if God's will is so inscrutable? It seems to me much more skepticism of religious claims are warranted, regardless of whether or not the Christian God exists.
Is there no freedom in heaven? Is there evil in heaven? Will two year olds be dying of painful cancers in heaven just because they break a rule they don't understand?
As it is easy to make unevidenced religious assertions.You have voiced the mystery of the ages quite well.
However, there is a reason that things are the way they are. As you say, it is as if there is no evidence of God in the world - well, perhaps depending on how you look at it. It is easy to be skeptical and even pessimistic.
As if gods are only human constructs, a product of the imagination.But - here's the thing: What is not easy to perceive from the midst of ones trying life, is that the perfect plan of God needs to be equal for all generations. So...everyone from every time in history has had the same struggle - as you. History repeats itself. And it is all on purpose.
Religion as a comfort blanket? If that works for you...Each person is given an [equal] opportunity to curse and have their metal tested...and if you have it in you to perceive that "There is a God!"...then you'll get through it.
But this is a BIG subject...so you walk it out over a lifetime, read up on it...and at anytime you get the least amount of confidence for doing so...then pray to God that He guide you through the jungle. Hence, David's psalm:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
My point is simply that the Planner gave his world complete freedom, for better or worse. Parameters, boundaries, limitations within which that freedom plays itself out are necessarily inherent in the fact that the players involved are finite, created beings.But it doesn't just mean we all have our limitations: at least, it doesn't if you hold that someone planned it to be this way. If you hold that belief, there follow some implications about the nature of that Planner. Not very nice implications.
This line really leaves me baffled. Is it not the case that if this world and its contents are Planned, "the parameters, boundaries, limitations within which that freedom plays itself out" (which is a euphemistic reference to the savagery, violence and suffering of the natural world) are created by the Planner? Or are we blaming wild carnivorous animals for choosing to use their "complete freedom" to rip the meat out of other animals?My point is simply that the Planner gave his world complete freedom, for better or worse. Parameters, boundaries, limitations within which that freedom plays itself out are necessarily inherent in the fact that the players involved are finite, created beings.
As in "my fault"? When I was born I think they were already so savage.it is our fault that the animals are so savage now.
As in "my fault"? When I was born I think they were already so savage.
Not that this in any way answered my point, but agreed so far.well yeah to be born here we have to have bodies.
Not that this in any way answered my point, but agreed so far.
Be that as it may...but you just blamed me.the preexistence of souls means that before you existed in this world you already existed somewhere else. the other of God/infinite mind would be his children, the divine ideas or seeds or images of him. therefore I say that something happened somewhere else that caused this universe to be how it is. so if something other than God has an influence on how reality can be then we can't just automatically blame God for how things are.
Be that as it may...but you just blamed me.
Why did I do what?
Why I did what?I blamed you and then I asked you why you did what you think God did.
Both notions are alien to me, sorry. I can´t make sense of this question.how would you feel if you decided to be part of this world rather than feeling that you were forced to exist in this world?
Do you think there´s a problem with this world?what is the problem with this world?
Colour me confused. Over in the other thread you just emphasized that this world is important. I can´t reconcile this statement with the above paragraph.the bible said that creation was subject to vanity in hope. what is more vain than this universe? what is more vain than animals coming to life if they end up dying?
It's universal. We all have (invisible) ticking time bombs inside of us.
And God can't do anything about it?
You have voiced the mystery of the ages quite well.
However, there is a reason that things are the way they are. As you say, it is as if there is no evidence of God in the world - well, perhaps depending on how you look at it. It is easy to be skeptical and even pessimistic. But - here's the thing: What is not easy to perceive from the midst of ones trying life, is that the perfect plan of God needs to be equal for all generations. So...everyone from every time in history has had the same struggle - as you. History repeats itself. And it is all on purpose.
Each person is given an [equal] opportunity to curse and have their metal tested...and if you have it in you to perceive that "There is a God!"...then you'll get through it.
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