Faith closes the mind. It is pure idol worship.

[Sapiens]

You think that because you do not know what is the purpose for all of this. You should know that there is one thing that God cannot do, and that is create his equals. We can produce offspring who in time will become our equals. God knows good and evil, but only does good. Man also knows good and evil but in a lifetime his good is mostly covered by evil. Therefore God sent His son to change us from our evil fleshly character to His holy loving character so we can be His equals. In other words His family, and if you are His family the universe is yours. Most of humanity will not pass the test because most of us cannot see past our noses.

It's really pretty simple. "Morally good" things pertain to increases in the "well-being of conscious creatures" if your deity's book is a laundry list of doing things that decrease the well-being of conscious creatures. If this book is to be believed then God is one of the most immoral creatures that could be imagined.

 

[Cephus]

It's really pretty simple. "Morally good" things pertain to increases in the "well-being of conscious creatures" if your deity's book is a laundry list of doing things that decrease the well-being of conscious creatures. If this book is to be believed then God is one of the most immoral creatures that could be imagined.

In reality, morality is entirely subjective, it really only matters when a society or other group collectively determines what will and will not be acceptable within their borders. I'm sure there are plenty of people that, while most people would consider them immoral monsters, probably thought God's model in the Old Testament was pretty good and admirable.

 

[free spirit]

If God was a real entity, not in someone's head, but actually existent in reality. Imaginary friends are not impressive.

Well put Cephus, you are set for a great surprise. God is not in the book, God is in all of us, look for Him. Your ability to speak and think is the image of God in you.

 

[free spirit]

You are continuing to refuse to see what's right in front of you. God (who according to your religion, CREATED EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS!) is the one who created our evil fleshly character in the first place! If god only does good, why would he create something that is evil?! Do you consider disease and famine good things? Because according to your religion, god created disease and famine. If god can remake evil people into good and holy (whatever that means) people, why did he not just make us good and holy in the first place? The god that is in the bible defies all reason and common sense.

Adam was created with innocence in his heart, he was good like a baby is. But then he decided to know good and evil. the rest his history. You blame God that is short sighted.

 

[free spirit]

It's really pretty simple. "Morally good" things pertain to increases in the "well-being of conscious creatures" if your deity's book is a laundry list of doing things that decrease the well-being of conscious creatures. If this book is to be believed then God is one of the most immoral creatures that could be imagined.

Apart from a couple of things I am not certain I understand you. people who are morally good have an enhanced well-being because they are at peace with themselves and with the world, even without God. We read in Romans 3:14-15 "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law. These, not having the Law, are a Law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,"

 

[JustWondering]

Adam was created with innocence in his heart, he was good like a baby is. But then he decided to know good and evil. the rest his history. You blame God that is short sighted.

Once again you ignore what is right in front of you. Where did Adam get this knowledge from? If humanity has the capacity to commit evil it is because we were imparted that capacity from our creator. According to your religion, god created EVERYTHING, that includes evil. There is no way around that except to willingly ignore it, which it seems you are doing.

KJV Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

 

[Cephus]

Well put Cephus, you are set for a great surprise. God is not in the book, God is in all of us, look for Him. Your ability to speak and think is the image of God in you.

Why isn't it the image of Santa Claus? If you can make a bald-faced assertion, so can I? I think it's the image of Zeus! Why not?

 

[McBell]

If the Spirit of Christ is in you He will supply the witness, that is how God works, He gives you a choice. All you have to do is believe His witness.

Yes, I have head the "you must believe in order to believe" 'argument' before.
It is no more convincing now than it was then.

 

[McBell]

With the advent of Christianity there is a new rule, which surpasses all others. For if you put on the loving character of Jesus you have fulfilled all of God's LAWs.

Therefore, by your own "rules" definition, Christianity is a religion.

 

[free spirit]

Once again you ignore what is right in front of you. Where did Adam get this knowledge from? If humanity has the capacity to commit evil it is because we were imparted that capacity from our creator. According to your religion, god created EVERYTHING, that includes evil. There is no way around that except to willingly ignore it, which it seems you are doing.

KJV Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Yes you are correct, God is like our government, they both establish laws for our good: but if we break the law, the enforces of the law become our tormenters. so depends on how we stand with the law, the law can be good or an evil. But you could not call the law makers evil would you? If there is no law there is no evil. As you know God and the government are creatures of order, therefore they both create laws in so doing they create evil. This is the best way I can explain my understanding and the existence of evil.

 

[free spirit]

Why isn't it the image of Santa Claus? If you can make a bald-faced assertion, so can I? I think it's the image of Zeus! Why not?

Well, I said "Your ability to speak and think is the image of God in you" If you can give a face to that you are superior to me in every way possible.

 

[free spirit]

Yes, I have head the "you must believe in order to believe" 'argument' before.
It is no more convincing now than it was then.

No, you must have faith to discover God, it is not an empty promise. I am a living prove of that fact, but I can only convince you by the insight given to me. Believe it or not.

 

[free spirit]

Therefore, by your own "rules" definition, Christianity is a religion.

True Christianity is not a religion: for is you live your life through the character of Christ you do not need any rules, for you will naturally do everything that pleases Him.

 

[JustWondering]

Yes you are correct, God is like our government, they both establish laws for our good: but if we break the law, the enforces of the law become our tormenters. so depends on how we stand with the law, the law can be good or an evil. But you could not call the law makers evil would you? If there is no law there is no evil. As you know God and the government are creatures of order, therefore they both create laws in so doing they create evil. This is the best way I can explain my understanding and the existence of evil.

It is a proven fact that some people are wired wrong and are sociopaths and psychopaths capable of great evil. These people did not chose to be born that way. If your god exists then IT made them that way. God created them to do great evil upon others. Reality and your interpretation of the bible god do not mesh. I had beliefs very similar to yours once but reality is reality. If an all-powerful creator god does exist at best it is apathetic to humanities suffering, worst case scenario is that it is purposely sadistic and cruel.

 

[McBell]

Yes you are correct, God is like our government, they both establish laws for our good: but if we break the law, the enforces of the law become our tormenters. so depends on how we stand with the law, the law can be good or an evil. But you could not call the law makers evil would you? If there is no law there is no evil. As you know God and the government are creatures of order, therefore they both create laws in so doing they create evil. This is the best way I can explain my understanding and the existence of evil.

If the law is evil then it stands to reason the law maker may be evil.

It matters not if said law maker is god.

 

[McBell]

True Christianity is not a religion: for is you live your life through the character of Christ you do not need any rules, for you will naturally do everything that pleases Him.

Pray tell why Christians are pushing for a ban on same sex marriage?

Or is your "argument that they are not "true" Christians?

 

[free spirit]

It is a proven fact that some people are wired wrong and are sociopaths and psychopaths capable of great evil. These people did not chose to be born that way. If your god exists then IT made them that way. God created them to do great evil upon others. Reality and your interpretation of the bible god do not mesh. I had beliefs very similar to yours once but reality is reality. If an all-powerful creator god does exist at best it is apathetic to humanities suffering, worst case scenario is that it is purposely sadistic and cruel.

You have proven to me that God himself has confessed to create evil; and yet He also said that He is Holy, loving and good. isn't that strange?
We all know that from the very beginning humanity had to obey the law of God. Adam’s life was dependent on obeying one law and ever since the law has occupied first place in everything. It is as if God and the law are one. The law therefore is the will of God. The scripture of Psalm 40:8 is a revelation of this important truth for it says: “I delight to do Thy will, O My God; Thy law is within My heart.”
The apostle Paul is specific in explaining the relationship between God, the rulers of our country and the law, for he wrote in Romans 13:3-6: “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behaviour, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of the law to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of justice, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore, it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of the law devoting themselves to this very thing.” We can confidently say then, that as much as it is humanly possible, our rulers are also one with the law and the highest office in the land is the embodiment of the law of the people he represents. If you cannot see that the law, any law is both good and evil, but was designed for our good, I cannot explain it better than I have.

 

[free spirit]

If the law is evil then it stands to reason the law maker may be evil.

It matters not if said law maker is god.

Please read the answer I give to Justwondering.

 

[free spirit]

Pray tell why Christians are pushing for a ban on same sex marriage?

Or is your "argument that they are not "true" Christians?

True Christians struggle with the desires of the flesh in order to put on the holy character of Christ, those who don't do that regardless of their life-stile are not Christians. They can be religious, and all that goes with that, but Christians they are not, because true Christianity is a way of life. We read in 1Corinthians 13:2-3," And if I have the gift of prophesy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." As you know LOVE is the character of God, unless Christians have that character; their religion profit them nothing.

 

[Cephus]

Well, I said "Your ability to speak and think is the image of God in you" If you can give a face to that you are superior to me in every way possible.

I know what you said, I asked why what you said was actually so. You apparently have no answer, you just keep saying the same thing over and over and over again as if repetition makes it all better.