God is 'evil'

[Thesavorofpan]

Okay I've been thinking recently now. There are some people in this world that say God is evil because he lt's all this bad stuff happen and babies die and what not. But the fact still remains those people are still going to die one day, but then they say why couldn't they live out their lifes to the fullest? But what right does anybody have to say that I should live over this person. So I believe that God is neither good nor evil, but in the middle doing both good and bad to keep the universe in order....that is if God is real.

 

[outhouse]

WOW that is exactly what nature does!

also why there is so much confusion in scripture, it mirrors nature in ways

 

[Caladan]

The childish God is evil whining is quite tiresome. either you can handle a debate about the scriptures or you cannot. there is no point crying that a god you do not believe in is evil.
furthermore. im quite surprised that people ignore the world or environment they live in. crime, warfare, politics, the geological and natural world. since when has the world been kind?

 

[Primordial Annihilator]

The universe is not evil...it is simply infinitely uncaring.

 

[St Giordano Bruno]

I think if there is a God such an entity would most probably be "evil" because if there was ever a conflict between a dirty fighter (a fighter not fighting within the constraints of structured rules) and a clean fighter (a fighter sticking to the rules) the dirty fighter would most probably win. In such a scenario a “God” would have only triumphed over a "Satan" because not only he broke the most rules as it was only a contest of "might" rather than "right".

 

[Thesavorofpan]

WOW that is exactly what nature does!

also why there is so much confusion in scripture, it mirrors nature in ways

Yes it's exactly what nature does, but people feel the need to blame someone or something

 

[Thesavorofpan]

The childish God is evil whining is quite tiresome. either you can handle a debate about the scriptures or you cannot. there is no point crying that a god you do not believe in is evil.
furthermore. im quite surprised that people ignore the world or environment they live in. crime, warfare, politics, the geological and natural world. since when has the world been kind?

Yet this childish god is followed by childish people...it's fitting when you think about it.

 

[Thesavorofpan]

I think if there is a God such an entity would most probably be "evil" because if there was ever a conflict between a dirty fighter (a fighter not fighting within the constraints of structured rules) and a clean fighter (a fighter sticking to the rules) the dirty fighter would most probably win. In such a scenario a “God” would have only triumphed over a "Satan" because not only he broke the most rules as it was only a contest of "might" rather than "right".

But their not enemies one is simplying forfilling its existence.

 

[Cordoba]

So I believe that God is neither good nor evil, but in the middle doing both good and bad to keep the universe in order....that is if God is real.

God is real, and He is a Merciful God

Good and evil things which happen in this world are due to our free will

He gave mankind free will, and when free will is used in the wrong way, that's when people suffer

Had we not had free will, we would have lived a life of angels ...

 

[Thesavorofpan]

God is real, and He is a Merciful God

Good and evil things which happen in this world are due to our free will

He gave mankind free will, and when free will is used in the wrong way, that's when people suffer

Had we not had free will, we would have lived a life of angels ...

I don't believe it's our fault that there's evil in this world. It's just part of the universe thats all. God or no God there will always be suffering in our world.

On a side note if God really didn't want suffering in this world then he would remove it., but since there is suffering in this world then God for one reason or another wants suffering to exist in this world.

 

[Madhuri]

I think if there is a God such an entity would most probably be "evil" because if there was ever a conflict between a dirty fighter (a fighter not fighting within the constraints of structured rules) and a clean fighter (a fighter sticking to the rules) the dirty fighter would most probably win. In such a scenario a “God” would have only triumphed over a "Satan" because not only he broke the most rules as it was only a contest of "might" rather than "right".

Erm, why does Satan have to exist in order for God to exist? You're assuming that there are two competing entities. And to be honest, this scenario is polytheistic.

Further more, if the competing entity happens to not be God but a lesser personality trying to take God's place, God would not have to be 'bad' in order to win if he is omniscient, omnipotent etc. He would know everything that is going to happen and be smart enough to not let it happen.

 

[Cordoba]

On a side note if God really didn't want suffering in this world then he would remove it., but since there is suffering in this world then God for one reason or another wants suffering to exist in this world.

Yes, God could remove suffering if He wanted, but that's not the case as He has delegated that to us

Once God gave us free will, it is our responsibility to make this world a just world, and eliminate injustice which leads to human suffering

(A contemporary example)

Don't blame God when a crazy dictator starts shooting at his own people. It is not God who asked him to do that, but a free decision by a crazy ruler and those who support him

It is the people's duty to remove him from power in order for that evil to end ...

 

[Rakhel]

God isn't evil. Sleep is, for it keeps eluding me.

However to add to the discussion, God is sitting on his couch munching on his popcorn and drinking his beer, laughing at the idiots on the screen arguing over his existence.

 

[Cordoba]

Erm, why does Satan have to exist in order for God to exist? You're assuming that there are two competing entities. And to be honest, this scenario is polytheistic.

Further more, if the competing entity happens to not be God but a lesser personality trying to take God's place, God would not have to be 'bad' in order to win if he is omniscient, omnipotent etc. He would know everything that is going to happen and be smart enough to not let it happen.

Correct

I would like to add that Satan is not a competitor to God, but a creation of God whom He gave free will and Satan used it in the wrong way by disobeying God and being arrogant.

And that's the main difference between Adam and Satan. They both disobeyed God, but Adam recognized his mistake and repented, while Satan didn't

Satan and his descendents, who are man's worst enemies, do have an influence on mankind by insinuating people to do evil, but a believer has God's guidance to overcome these insinuations and with free will can choose the right path

And God wants us to take the path which leads to peace and justice

Which way to go is each individaul's free choice ...

 

[JustWondering]

Yes, God could remove suffering if He wanted, but that's not the case as He has delegated that to us

Once God gave us free will, it is our responsibility to make this world a just world, and eliminate injustice which leads to human suffering

(A contemporary example)

Don't blame God when a crazy dictator starts shooting at his own people. It is not God who asked him to do that, but a free decision by a crazy ruler and those who support him

It is the people's duty to remove him from power in order for that evil to end ...

Human behavior is dictated by instinct and our enviroment. If a creator god exists it provided both of these things to us. So free will is an illusion.

 

[Cordoba]

Human behavior is dictated by instinct and our enviroment. If a creator god exists it provided both of these things to us. So free will is an illusion.

There is one component you forget, JW, which is His Guidance

We have both good and evil instincts, and by following God's Guidance we nurture all good instincts and minimize bad instincts

Praying, fasting, remembering God and other forms of worship help believers become good people, and this helps them establish justice and fight injustice which is what God wants us to do.

Free will to choose God's Path is a real choice, it is not an illusion ...

 

[Gloone]

Human behavior is dictated by instinct and our enviroment. If a creator god exists it provided both of these things to us. So free will is an illusion.

Maybe it is only an illusion to people that don't have it.

 

[Madhuri]

Maybe it is only an illusion to people that don't have it.

That is a terrible reply! If you are going to disagree, maybe come with an argument?

 

[Gloone]

Okay if I were to throw a Big squishy rubber ball at you! Would you stand there or move out of the way?

 

[Madhuri]

Okay if I were to throw a Big squishy rubber ball at you! Would you stand there or move out of the way?

There is a scientific explanation for the lack of free will, which I agree with, that explains how whether or not you make a decision does not count as free will. I'm no good at science, so someone else can try to explain it to you in depth.

To put it simply, every reaction or effect is specific to the actions or causes from the past. What we think and do now is a result of the infinitesimal actions and reactions from before this very moment. Our decisions are decided not by us, but by what we have become through these actions and reactions that were inevitable from the first moment of existence.

I'm sure someone else can explain better.