[Crimson Dynamo]

The church services, the candle lighting, the shrines


Are they praying to the god who did nothing on Friday?

[Livia]

Hey LT, nice to see ya.

I don't know much about the way God - if she exists - thinks. But I imagine that if you're a Christian (or a Jew or whatever...) you will believe what it says in the Bible. The Bible says that there is evil in the world that isn't of God's making.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Livia

Hey LT, nice to see ya.

I don't know much about the way God - if she exists - thinks. But I imagine that if you're a Christian (or a Jew or whatever...) you will believe what it says in the Bible. The Bible says that there is evil in the world that isn't of God's making.

the bible says that all things on earth were made by god.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

the bible says that all things on earth were made by god.

According to the Bible, Lucifer started out his career as an archangel made by God. One third of all angels fell into sin and became demons. Not everything that was [claimed in the Bible to have been] made by God is good and never becomes tainted.

People just need comfort. I don't think now is the right time to hit them with your opinion that God doesn't exist. People are comforted by their religion.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Livia

According to the Bible, Lucifer started out his career as an archangel made by God. One third of all angels fell into sin and became demons. Not everything that was [claimed in the Bible to have been] made by God is good and never becomes tainted.

People just need comfort. I don't think now is the right time to hit them with your opinion that God doesn't exist. People are comforted by their religion.

there is scant comfort in lies. luckily 95% of Norway do not believe in gods.

[InOne]

God gave man free will

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by InOne

God gave man free will

So what does he actually do, why pray to him/her?

Surely an all powerful god can give free will and intervene at times to stop abject cruelty?

or indeed do anything at all, i mean he can only get 5% of this country to church for 1 hour a week.

I would not hire him if i were in the god business

[InOne]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

So what does he actually do, why pray to him/her?

Surely an all powerful god can give free will and intervene at times to stop abject cruelty?

or indeed do anything at all, i mean he can only get 5% of this country to church for 1 hour a week.

I would not hire him if i were in the god business

Going by the bible God is a sadist and enjoys watching people suffer

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by InOne

Going by the bible God is a sadist and enjoys watching people suffer

amen

I just find it incredible that these evil priests and ministers can have the bare cheek to conduct memorial services and no one in the press bats an eyelid

[Livia]

Originally Posted by InOne

Going by the bible God is a sadist and enjoys watching people suffer

As far as I can see, there is only one person responsible for the atrocity in Norway, and that wasn't God. People who don't believe in God never want to thank him for good things, but are always ready to blame him for bad things.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Livia

As far as I can see, there is only one person responsible for the atrocity in Norway, and that wasn't God. People who don't believe in God never want to thank him for good things, but are always ready to blame him for bad things.

You could not thank him for anything as he appears to do nothing whatsoever.

the problem for religionists is that they want to praise him for all the good things but bury their collective heads in the sand for the bad. that is why you will not hear any religious leaders talking about this incident. I wish they would.

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Livia

As far as I can see, there is only one person responsible for the atrocity in Norway, and that wasn't God. People who don't believe in God never want to thank him for good things, but are always ready to blame him for bad things.

I didn't say it was God, if you see my post earlier I said God gave man free will

[Livia]

You're a bad, bad man.

[lostalex]

When you love something you allow it freedom. God gives us all freedom. That doesn't mean he doesn't care.

If God didn't love us, then we'd all just be his puppets. The world might be nicer, and horrible things wouldn't happen, but we would be miserable slaves.

God doesn't create the horror in this world, we do.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by lostalex

When you love something you allow it freedom. God gives us all freedom. That doesn't mean he doesn't care.

If God didn't love us, then we'd all just be his puppets. The world might be nicer, and horrible things wouldn't happen, but we would be miserable slaves.

God doesn't create the horror in this world, we do.

Yes the puppets answer is the stock one but if you buy the god can do anything line and made everything then i am quite sure he could allow free will and stop needless suffering.

If you really loved something you would not let what happens in the world every day of every year.

That is just sick

[joeysteele]

I have no strong religious identity at all but from reading the Bible, it would seem Humankind was entrusted with the Earth,with total free will to do and choose between good and bad,right and wrong.

This is a bad comparison I know but it's a 'bit' like your Parents,they go off round the World out of contact and entrust their home and land to their Family.
In the time they have that free run of things, should the family ruin or destroy elements or all of the home and land,also should they get into battles and maybe harm or even kill another family member/s , Who is to blame for that? The Parents who entrusted their property,land and all else to them in their absence or the family who carried out and allowed to be carried out the destruction and harm?

I forget who said it, (I think Oliver Cromwell may have), but in despair or conflict everyone who believes,believes God (whatever,whoever any deity may be),is on their side. It may be pertinent to ask 'God must often wonder who is on his side'.

If faith and prayer helps to console in any way then that likely is a good thing.

The Earth though is a very beautiful place,Humans have full access and full running of it, if a mess is made of that surely the only people to blame are the people who cause harm and destruction to it and to their fellow humans from their free will and choice to do so.
Nothing to do with a God who gives the total freedom to choose good or bad, right or wrong.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I have no strong religious identity at all but from reading the Bible, it would seem Humankind was entrusted with the Earth,with total free will to do and choose between good and bad,right and wrong.

This is a bad comparison I know but it's a 'bit' like your Parents,they go off round the World out of contact and entrust their home and land to their Family.
In the time they have that free run of things, should the family ruin or destroy elements or all of the home and land,also should they get into battles and maybe harm or even kill another family member/s , Who is to blame for that? The Parents who entrusted their property,land and all else to them in their absence or the family who carried out and allowed to be carried out the destruction and harm?

I forget who said it, (I think Oliver Cromwell may have), but in despair or conflict everyone who believes,believes God (whatever,whoever any deity may be),is on their side. It may be pertinent to ask 'God must often wonder who is on his side'.

If faith and prayer helps to console in any way then that likely is a good thing.

The Earth though is a very beautiful place,Humans have full access and full running of it, if a mess is made of that surely the only people to blame are the people who cause harm and destruction to it and to their fellow humans from their free will and choice to do so.
Nothing to do with a God who gives the total freedom to choose good or bad, right or wrong.

So what does god do?

he makes it and then nothing?


Its worse than a bad sci fi movie at best

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

So what does god do?

he makes it and then nothing?


Its worse than a bad sci fi movie at best

I can't answer that because I am not certain there is a God anyway.The Bible though states that as almost a yes,God takes a back seat,free will given totally to Humans to protect the World and all in it or to ruin it.

The vast majority would want to protect and nurture the Earth,a minority seem determined to destroy it.

The Bible adds that 'one' day the World will end, that will be when 'God' whoever or whatever they may be will then intervene and pick up the pieces.

It's a bit like the perfect in-laws and Parents, who are always there to listen as to problems or good times in a marriage but hold their tongues and never interfere,in that the couple have decided the path they are on,it's only if all goes horribly wrong in time that then those Parents are there to pick up the pieces.

As I said I have no major religious beliefs, I don't know,I was only pointing out what was in the Bible.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I can't answer that because I am not certain there is a God anyway.The Bible though states that as almost a yes,God takes a back seat,free will given totally to Humans to protect the World and all in it or to ruin it.

The vast majority would want to protect and nurture the Earth,a minority seem determined to destroy it.

The Bible adds that 'one' day the World will end, that will be when 'God' whoever or whatever they may be will then intervene and pick up the pieces.

It's a bit like the perfect in-laws and Parents, who are always there to listen as to problems or good times in a marriage but hold their tongues and never interfere,in that the couple have decided the path they are on,it's only if all goes horribly wrong in time that then those Parents are there to pick up the pieces.

As I said I have no major religious beliefs, I don't know,I was only pointing out what was in the Bible.

Your not certain there is a god?

What would even give you even the smallest inkling there was as there is and has never been the smallest iota of evidence?

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Your not certain there is a god?

What would even give you even the smallest inkling there was as there is and has never been the smallest iota of evidence?

For goodness sake, I am not certain there is a God but I am not certain there is not a God either.

If you can prove to me here and now that there isn't one, fine.
The thing is we can hold a view there is, or not, or like most people there can be doubt on either side but it cannot be proven that there wasn't, isn't or always will be a God.

At the end of the day though as to this thread, if praying to a Deity helps people who have lost loved ones, then I see nothing wrong at all with that.

[Marc]

I'm not a believer. I see this as a horrid case of somebody who was clearly mentally ill

It's sad

[InOne]

Just wait till ExProximo gets his hands on this thread LT. He'll have a field day

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by InOne

Just wait till ExProximo gets his hands on this thread LT. He'll have a field day

Yes a 1000 word essay on diddly squat

cant wait


(but he does have the best avatar bar none, damn him)

[Redway]

Silly thread, IMO.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Redway

Silly thread, IMO.

The thread is provoking the discussion about whether or not God exists. It's an age-old question and hardly silly. Didn't you post a thread yesterday asking whether racists have a place in our society? now THAT'S a silly thread.