Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeYes, how people feel about God is holding us back as a species.
I created a thread a while ago about how I felt God (or at least 'the idea' of God) was holding us back as a species.
I'll happily concede that faith gives strength, comfort and hope to those who have it, but such a reliance on a divine force to 'lift us up' seriously impedes our shared human enterprise of 'rising up' of our own accord.
How much faster would we have progressed as a species without God holding us back?
Finally something both atheists and those of faith can agree upon.
Originally posted by @whodeyIs that an example sir of selective reading or selective use of brain cells?
Yes, how people feel about God is holding us back as a species.
Finally something both atheists and those of faith can agree upon.
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeAnd is this an example of trolling or substance?
Is that an example sir of selective reading or selective use of brain cells?
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeLmfao
"My comments are brief this morning."
Invariably a good thing.
Originally posted by @secondsonOnly God judges me, and He does it all the time. Lmfao
[b]"Curious though you put all the focus on 'words' and not 'actions.' "
Curious too that you appear to be unaware that the Bible says both things. Everyone, including Christians, will be judged based on both their words and works.
The difference being in the object of their faith.[/b]
Originally posted by @karoly-aczelGod judges justly. No need to worry. Everyone will recieve accordingly.
Only God judges me, and He does it all the time. Lmfao
Some to life eternal. Others to eternal condemnation.
Originally posted by @secondsonLmfao
God judges justly. No need to worry. Everyone will recieve accordingly.
Some to life eternal. Others to eternal condemnation.
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Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
I'm confident any benevolent deity will look favorably upon how I have lived my life and will not judge me too harshly for not being convinced of his existence.
Do you mean "benevolent" to the point of being unrighteous ?
Do you mean a kind of mushy Barney the Dinosaur benevolence who will be "benevolent" to look the other way when you sinned? Turning his ever smiley face so as to not see your transgression.
Do you mean a "benevolence" which would encourage you to sin all the more? That would be an unrighteous "benevolence".
Originally posted by @sonshipWho are you to judge God or tell Him the required equilibrium between benevolence and righteousness?I'm confident any benevolent deity will look favorably upon how I have lived my life and will not judge me too harshly for not being convinced of his existence.
Do you mean "benevolent" to the point of being unrighteous ?
Do you mean a kind of mushy Barney the Dinosaur benevolence who will be "benevolent" to look the other way when yo ...[text shortened]... nce" which would encourage you to sin all the more? That would be an unrighteous "benevolence".
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Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke
Who are you to judge God or tell Him the required equilibrium between benevolence and righteousness?
Who are you to judge God or tell Him the required equilibrium between benevolence and righteousness?
I am not dictating to God at all. I am contemplatively musing over the accounts of Him through the Bible.
By reading Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and other books of the Bible I get a picture of His ways.
I stick to my reading. I do not shut the book close when I see something I don't like. I read through consecutively and get a healthy steady diet of digesting God's WAYS.
He unfolds His nature to us as we read the history of His interaction with Israel and the world.
Yes, no doubt, I read of His mercy, longsuffering, patience, kindness. Without question some benevolence in this sense is seen.
But watch out. I also see He is absolutely righteous.
He is forgiving in a righteous way, not in a sloppy, sentimental, ultra liberal, permissivist way.
Originally posted by @sonshipWe are in agreement that a truly benevolent God wouldn't be the Christian God illustrated in the Bible.Who are you to judge God or tell Him the required equilibrium between benevolence and righteousness?
I am not dictating to God at all. I am contemplatively musing over the accounts of Him through the Bible.
By reading [b]Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and other books of the Bible I get a picture of His ways. ...[text shortened]... is forgiving in a righteous way, not in a sloppy, sentimental, ultra liberal, permissivist way.[/b]
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeWe are in no such agreement and never could be on that.
We are in agreement that a truly benevolent God wouldn't be the Christian God illustrated in the Bible.
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But watch out. I also see He is absolutely righteous.
When I was a very young Christian I read the Bible looking for ways I could keep doing what I was doing.
I remember that I liked this verse in Ecclesiastes.
"Rejoice, young man in your childhood, and let your heart be merry in the days of your youth,
and walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, ..." (Ecc. 11:9a)
I said to myself "Cool! This Christianity stuff isn't too bad after all. Here the Bible is telling me to keep on keeping on just doing whatever my heart says to do. Cool! "
But somehow the REST of the passage bothered me ... um... just a little bit.
" ... and walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment."
It wasn't quite that simple.
I could do whatever, but God would record, God would remember, God would judge.
I learned latter that God would ALSO give grace and empowerment to live unto Him.
Originally posted by @secondsonThe ones to eternal condemnation are the goats.
God judges justly. No need to worry. Everyone will recieve accordingly.
Some to life eternal. Others to eternal condemnation.
The Sheep of Christ hear his voice.
They follow his commandments
They get eternal life.
All other get eternal condemnation.