Merciful God?? I think not.

[Runewolf1973]

These are just questions, please don't take this personally....

It is my understanding that christians view "God" as omnipotent. If this is true and "God" is omnipotent, it would mean that "God" would have to be everywhere and exist in all things at all times. Is that right? Correct me if I'm wrong.

My question then is.....If "God" is omnipotent and exists in all things, why then do christians accept only part of that ALL? Should they not accept ALL of what "God" is, including other beliefs, scientific facts, and philosphies. If "God" is truly omnipotent, then "God" should be ALL those things, the good and the bad, the ugly, and everything else in between. If "God" is not all those things, then "God" is not omnipotent. If a person believes in only one aspect of "God" then it is not ALL of what "God" is, only part. I believe that "God" has many faces and many expressions. It would seem christians only wish to accept part of the ALL of what "God" is.

If "God" were all-powerful, then why did He have to send "Jesus" to do things for Him? Why could "God" not just do it Himself?

Why did "God" need to destroy so many people and creatures in biblical floods and catastrophies? The Devil was not nearly so destructive and merciless. If "God" were all-powerful, why did He not teach these people the ways of "good" instead of just letting them carry on doing bad things? Why did "God" not just put a big electric fence or force field around the tree of knowledge instead of just "teasing" Adam and Eve with it. It's like taunting a dog by holding a big juicy bone right over it's nose, then when the dog naturally grabs the bone, condemning it and the rest of it's entire species to life long pain and punishment. Why do animals still experience the pain of giving birth? What tree did they steal from to deserve the same death and punishment humans get?

And so it all boils down to the question....Why would I want to believe in a god that creates life then destroys it for such petty, selfish reasons? And all this to those He claims to "love" so much? I would almost rather worship the Devil. At least Satan seems more forgiving.

None of this makes any sense to me. But I'm sure "God" has His reasons for all of this. I just can't think of any good ones.

I don't mean to sound disrespectful of other faiths, in fact, I believe that ALL things and beliefs have some truth to offer, even christianity. There is just too many questions that are left unanswered that force me to be a non-believer in some things. I honestly don't believe in "God" and if there were one, I don't think He would be nearly all that bad.

 

[Linda777]

How can you a mere mortal expect to understand the infinite mind of God?
Can you make a sun? How about speaking worlds into existence? Can you raise the dead?
Of course not.
God is perfect and does what he does according to his own mind.
You cannot understand him.
Can't you ask a question just one instead of all the accusations against God?
Justification and righteousness come from the same Greek word. God is justified in all he does simply because he is God.
Can you tell me if those people he utterly destroyed were not vampires? Give me proof they were not.
With all we see in the world and its history, how do you know they were not vile and evil creatures who had to be destroyed for the good of mankind?
Also realize that nature which God created also destroys.
God is love and I think it is quite obvious.

 

[Riverwolf]

How can you a mere mortal expect to understand the infinite mind of God?
Can you make a sun? How about speaking worlds into existence? Can you raise the dead?

Making things isn't impressive at all.

Creating the world is easy. Running it well... that's the hard part.

 

[Runewolf1973]

How can you a mere mortal expect to understand the infinite mind of God?
Can you make a sun? How about speaking worlds into existence? Can you raise the dead?
Of course not.
God is perfect and does what he does according to his own mind.
You cannot understand him.
Can't you ask a question just one instead of all the accusations against God?
Justification and righteousness come from the same Greek word. God is justified in all he does simply because he is God.
Can you tell me if those people he utterly destroyed were not vampires? Give me proof they were not.
With all we see in the world and its history, how do you know they were not vile and evil creatures who had to be destroyed for the good of mankind?
Also realize that nature which God created also destroys.
God is love and I think it is quite obvious.

That is true, I know nothing of God. But that is why I am asking these questions. These are very point blank "not nice" questions, but if it is all a part of "God's" greater purpose, wouldn't you like to know WHY? I don't mean to critisize the Bible, in fact I have actually defended it's validity in some of my other posts. It holds many truths. But I don't think it holds ALL the truth. If the search for Truth is the search for God, why stop at one book? There is some truth in ALL things. Perhaps the bible is not ALL true. Perhaps all those horrible things did not actually happen by "God's" will. That's a nicer thought. I believe that Energy itself is the creating, motivating, and "animating" factor behind the Universe. We are all part of it. Nature and energy is not nearly as personal about what it generates and then destroys. It does nothing with malice or vengeance that I know of, besides what humans do to each other. It merely exists and does what it does.

Do you have any "real" answers for any of my miserable, "ungodly" questions?

I thought no one was merely mortal? I thought our "soul" or "spirit" was eternal was it not? The body is just a vessel. Even if I were to theoretically get sent to Hell, I would not be able to take my physical body with me anyways. How then would the Devil be able to "torture" me? Throw insults at me and give me dirty looks? You can't "hurt" something that doesn't feel pain.

I guess all the people "God" created before were just vampires. But if "God" created vampires would it not be natural for them to act like vampires? Would it be their fault they were created in such a way? They were merely serving the purpose for which they were created were they not? Where's the harm in that? I can only be a human. A tree can only be a tree. A snake can only be a snake. Where is the evil? If everything has it's purpose, where did "God" go wrong?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just put the "tree of knowledge" out of reach of human hands somewhere? I don't leave chemicals or medicine in a spot where a child might get into it. If it did happen, it would be my own fault. I think "God" needs to learn some serious parenting skills. Adam and Eve probably knew better, but then again, humans will be humans. Perhaps they had that little thought of evil cross their minds before they even touched the tree of knowledge...."lets steal something and see if we get away with it." How is that even possible if they didn't know what evil was? What made them want to steal the apple in the first place? Perhaps they were not created "perfectly" in the first place. That would be "God's" fault now wouldn't it?

 

[Dunemeister]

None of this makes any sense to me. But I'm sure "God" has His reasons for all of this. I just can think of any good ones.

I don't mean to sound disrespectful of other faiths, in fact, I believe that ALL things and beliefs have some truth to offer, even christianity. There is just too many questions that are left unanswered that force me to be a non-believer in some things. I honestly don't believe in "God" and if there were one, I don't think He would be nearly all that bad.

The questions you've raised are not new. Christians have been tackling them for 2000 years, and the Jews for about 3500 or better. To say that these questions have remained unanswered is, to be honest, less than fully honest. It indicates that you've simply had a knee-jerk reaction to a surface reading of the texts involved without taking the trouble to understand the stories on their own terms. Until you're willing to make such an effort, the stories will remain opaque to you. But I can tell you in all seriousness that the texts you now disparage reward serious inquiry, whether you come to believe in the God they disclose or not.

 

[Runewolf1973]

The questions you've raised are not new. Christians have been tackling them for 2000 years, and the Jews for about 3500 or better. To say that these questions have remained unanswered is, to be honest, less than fully honest. It indicates that you've simply had a knee-jerk reaction to a surface reading of the texts involved without taking the trouble to understand the stories on their own terms. Until you're willing to make such an effort, the stories will remain opaque to you. But I can tell you in all seriousness that the texts you now disparage reward serious inquiry, whether you come to believe in the God they disclose or not.

Thank you. I can appreciate the fact that not all questions can be nice ones. What is it you mean by not understanding the texts? I used to go to church all the time and listen to the sermons. I know what it's about. Christianity is about faith and not questioning that faith. But that is why I can't call myself a christian. If "God" wanted us to understand Him, why was the bible written in the way it was? It's sketchy at best. It's left open to too many interpretations and can easily be misunderstood. If you were trying to teach your own children something, would you put it in such a way that they had a hard time understanding it? Frankly, I just ended up getting bored with all the riddles and started searching for my own answers.

The reason I ask all these questions is the fact that I am always searching for truth. I am very interested to know the truth behind what the bible says. If every day of my life I'm going to be surrounded by people trying to convince me to follow christianity and the bible, I would at least like to think I could find some answers to my questions. I have a hard time following a belief that doesn't make any sense to me. That's why I believe that the bible has "some" truth, but not ALL truth. To me, our existence is like a big jigsaw puzzle. All beliefs including different religions and science all have some truth which are pieces of the puzzle they can put forth, but they refuse to put those pieces together. They would rather fight over which one is right and which one is wrong. In ALL Truth there can be no wrong can there? I believe that until ALL the pieces of what is Truth come together as One, we will never see the whole picture. It will always remain clouded with unanswered questions. Humanity should come together as One and stop fighting. If and when we accomplish this, that is when ALL things will become perfectly clear. We WILL see the WHOLE picture.

 

[Runewolf1973]

You know something that I've found that is interesting? Even the belief that christians abhor the most because it goes against all christian beliefs...Satanism, has truth to be found in it. Why don't you give the Satanic Bible a read once? I'll lend it to you. Satanists don't even believe that the Devil is real. They are athiests. They believe in respecting nature. They are against religious conformity because they believe that religion causes people to stop thinking for themselves. They believe it is good for the individual to question things and find their own answers. It's the Hollywood movies and typical religious ignorance that falsely makes Satanists out to be so "evil". The very same ignorance that was present during the Crusades and the Witch Trials. Their beliefs hold as much truth and validity as any other belief does.

 

[boristhescot]

I think Omnipotent is the wrong word here (it meaning all-powerful) I think the best term would have to be omniparticulate for what you were describing. But that is beside the point. Life used in your question is so finite. You are born and you die and your existence... ceases? If this is your point of view then I can understand your viewpoint.
If there is a belief in a God, might I propose that he is perfectly understandable when viewed as a person? He almost acts, for lack of a better word, predictably. He says to men, "I am the one true God, your creator, you master, serve me and I'll benevolently take care of you." And after all of that he does some miracles, gives them something to eat in the dessert, parts a sea so they can get away from some oppressing force. Then his people go on and say, "Bah! Stories that parents say to scare their children at night." After all that work I imagine you would stop protecting them for a while so they can get their bearings set again and show you some freakin' gratitude.
The problem is that people have made God so incomprehensible. This whole, "he is everywhere and nowhere" make him so unrelatable.
As far as Satan being more forgiving, yes he is much more accommodating to your mistakes. Partly (if you believe some or all of the Bible regarding this) be cause he wants you to do them. He doesn't forgive your faults he rejoices in them in this vast war of Good versus Evil. You make a mistake, he beats God. If God loses you, you are no longer welcome to dwell with him.
Curious isn't it, if God loses, you lose. It almost seems to me that Satan is using you as a pawn against God, but God doesn't use you as a pawn against Satan. They both say, "Come unto me." One is to hurt God and one is to make you happy. At least how I see it.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I think Omnipotent is the wrong word here (it meaning all-powerful) I think the best term would have to be omniparticulate for what you were describing. But that is beside the point. Life used in your question is so finite. You are born and you die and your existence... ceases? If this is your point of view then I can understand your viewpoint.
If there is a belief in a God, might I propose that he is perfectly understandable when viewed as a person? He almost acts, for lack of a better word, predictably. He says to men, "I am the one true God, your creator, you master, serve me and I'll benevolently take care of you." And after all of that he does some miracles, gives them something to eat in the dessert, parts a sea so they can get away from some oppressing force. Then his people go on and say, "Bah! Stories that parents say to scare their children at night." After all that work I imagine you would stop protecting them for a while so they can get their bearings set again and show you some freakin' gratitude.
The problem is that people have made God so incomprehensible. This whole, "he is everywhere and nowhere" make him so unrelatable.
As far as Satan being more forgiving, yes he is much more accommodating to your mistakes. Partly (if you believe some or all of the Bible regarding this) be cause he wants you to do them. He doesn't forgive your faults he rejoices in them in this vast war of Good versus Evil. You make a mistake, he beats God. If God loses you, you are no longer welcome to dwell with him.
Curious isn't it, if God loses, you lose. It almost seems to me that Satan is using you as a pawn against God, but God doesn't use you as a pawn against Satan. They both say, "Come unto me." One is to hurt God and one is to make you happy. At least how I see it.

Notice my religious title. I believe in Animism and Shamanism. I do believe in spirits, the afterlife, and the "animating" energy in all things. I believe that all things are connected. Energy is all part of that connectedness. So far I have not heard any real answers to my questions, only threats of some horrible afterlife. It that how christianity answers all opposing questions? Believe in what we tell you or suffer horribly in the afterlife? I don't dwell in fear like you do. I dwell in the light and energy of ALL things. Don't crucify me just for asking simple questions. Jesus was crucified and he was quite possibly one of the greatest shamans that ever lived. Yes, I do believe in Jesus, but not in the way you do.

 

[boristhescot]

I apologize if you feel like I was attacking you. That was in no way my purpose. You asked for viewpoints and I offered mine in a friendly (I thought) religious open forum. I didn't even think that my post could be construed as a condemnation to hell for any person. The you was intended to be a general second person pronoun. Really my intention was to provide a general rebuttal using similar language to that which you used in your original post with a distinct Christian twist, a fair assumption as you alluded to the Bible and Christian ideas. You presented a viewpoint on Satan being forgiving and I stated why I disagreed with that term being used.
As to my dwelling in fear, I fear that you misunderstood me entirely. What have I to fear? The devil in my view is eventually defeated. My weaknesses become strengths as I learn to over come them. And if I only try do what is "good" even if I fail there is hope. This hope, or faith as some call it, leaves very little room for fear. I will admit that there is no sure access to salvation that I have found, I will get what I deserve. And that is enough for me.
So again I apologize if it was I who offended you. There were no accusations implied, but if they were found please understand they were not intentional. I only wanted to share my view as I came to believe was the purpose of such a site.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I apologize if you feel like I was attacking you. That was in no way my purpose. You asked for viewpoints and I offered mine in a friendly (I thought) religious open forum. I didn't even think that my post could be construed as a condemnation to hell for any person. The you was intended to be a general second person pronoun. Really my intention was to provide a general rebuttal using similar language to that which you used in your original post with a distinct Christian twist, a fair assumption as you alluded to the Bible and Christian ideas. You presented a viewpoint on Satan being forgiving and I stated why I disagreed with that term being used.
As to my dwelling in fear, I fear that you misunderstood me entirely. What have I to fear? The devil in my view is eventually defeated. My weaknesses become strengths as I learn to over come them. And if I only try do what is "good" even if I fail there is hope. This hope, or faith as some call it, leaves very little room for fear. I will admit that there is no sure access to salvation that I have found, I will get what I deserve. And that is enough for me.
So again I apologize if it was I who offended you. There were no accusations implied, but if they were found please understand they were not intentional. I only wanted to share my view as I came to believe was the purpose of such a site.

Don't worry about it, I did not take it personally. I appreciate you're viewpoints. There is truth to be understood in what you are saying. I appologize if this thread is bothering anyone. I just have so many questions about christianity and the bible for which I have found no answers. I want to understand the truth behind it all, but it seems to be eluding me thus far. I think the truth is there, but it is very easy for someone to misinterpret it and take it the wrong way. I believe in much of what the bible actually says, but other parts of it just don't make sense to me.

I'm sure my own use of the language in this thread could have come across as strong and defiant and very much ignorant. I appologize. Just looking for answers.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf1973,
The fact that you question; shows an awakening in you.
Whatever qualities attributed to god is not only for christian god but also for others who only take god into account.
The word god is never mentioned as a part of duality for god to be satan too is a must.
So, if you take satan into account as the balancing factor then you will find that everything is perfect as it should be.
This is the very reason that buddha never spoke about god or satan and chose the MIDDLE path. The center out of which both day/night, good/bad, god/satan and all dualities come out of and co-exists. One calls it Wu chi out of which ying and yang or all dualities came from.
Friend, all you need is to consider god as universal for all humans and broadbase your search for that universal god and like Jesus it is part of you too and only waiting for you to discover that fact.
Love & rgds

 

[Runewolf1973]

Friend Runewolf1973,
The fact that you question; shows an awakening in you.
Whatever qualities attributed to god is not only for christian god but also for others who only take god into account.
The word god is never mentioned as a part of duality for god to be satan too is a must.
So, if you take satan into account as the balancing factor then you will find that everything is perfect as it should be.
This is the very reason that buddha never spoke about god or satan and chose the MIDDLE path. The center out of which both day/night, good/bad, god/satan and all dualities come out of and co-exists. One calls it Wu chi out of which ying and yang or all dualities came from.
Friend, all you need is to consider god as universal for all humans and broadbase your search for that universal god and like Jesus it is part of you too and only waiting for you to discover that fact.
Love & rgds

Thank you. I wasn't sure if I would get any good response out of this thread, but you gave me hope. I appreciate that.

Perhaps the intent of throwing a little confusion into the pile has a reason of it's own. The more that is in the bible that doesn't make sense, the more likely we are to question it. Perhaps that's what we were supposed to do in the first place....question it. I don't think "God" would want a bunch of mindless servants hovering over Him. Perhaps "God" wants us to ask questions. Only once we start asking why? do we start finding the answers for ourselves. Note the reason I put "God" in quotation marks like this is because I am refering to the SOURCE of all things, not one particular deity. Anyways, I don't think "God" wants us to be mindless zombies believeing in anything just because it is written in mystery and it say's we should follow what it teaches or be punished. We should not have to follow anything out of fear. We have to find the truth in all things to learn the Original Purpose. "God" wants us to find true Oneness with ALL things. Therefore, we must question and seek out the Truth and expose that which is false in all things. Perhaps it is "God's" way of testing us to see how "gullible" we are. If we just believe any old thing we are told, then we are not ready for true knowledge. We are immature in a way. Perhaps the reason why the "awakened beings" like Jesus and others were so knowledgeable in the first place is because they questioned EVERYTHING and found answers for it. That is true knowledge.

I think I just realized the answer to all my questions before. We are being tested. It's kinda like that one Indiana Jones movie where he had to pick the Cup of Christ, but not just any old cup off the table, he had to pick the right one. We must learn how to choose wisely.

If it is true what you say about the duality of God and Satan being in all things, then how would it even be possible for the Bible to be ALL true to God's word? I'm sure Satan would have thrown a few lines in there just to confuse us and make us think and question. To all books of knowledge, or trees of knowledge, there are always some "bad apples" which we must discover. For even in the "bad apples" there is something valuable to be learned. Everything serves a purpose and co-exists for a reason. In that knowledge there is wisdom.

 

[Runewolf1973]

In any belief that states "I am the One True God", I must question and have the right to question WHY?

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf,
It is in that questioning repeatedly that could get my answers; so would you.
Love & rgds

 

[roli]

My question then is.....If "God" is omnipotent and exists in all things, why then do christians accept only part of that ALL? Should they not accept ALL of what "God" is, including other beliefs, scientific facts, and philosphies. If "God" is truly omnipotent, then "God" should be ALL those things, the good and the bad, the ugly, and everything else in between.

This is an accurate statemnt:
Col 1:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

If "God" is not all those things, then "God" is not omnipotent. If a person believes in only one aspect of "God" then it is not ALL of what "God" is, only part. I believe that "God" has many faces and many expressions. It would seem christians only wish to accept part of the ALL of what "God" is.

Although God may be in all things it does not mean that he contradicts himself.
By that I mean, he created satan ,but does'nt tell us to serve him.
Sin is an ever present reality in man and in this world ,but he does'nt tell us to live in sin.
Many things in this world are here for whatever reason ,but we are given the freedom to choose and the will not to, but in teh midst of that we ,as christians have the power of God through his Holy Spirit to overcome the temptations.
,,but God is adamant regarding not sharing his glory with another and claims there is one God....him alone!!!!!
Deu 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he [is] God; [there is] none else beside him.
Isa 42:8I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Psa 115:3 Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's handsThey have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see notThey have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell notThey have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.

If "God" were all-powerful, then why did He have to send "Jesus" to do things for Him? Why could "God" not just do it Himself?

Good question!!!!...but if you understood scripture and a relationship with him you would know, God is a spirit and he sent his son in the flesh to become like man, to identify with us in flesh...he was tempted in all points as we are but was without sin.He also had to suffer and die and that could only happen by becoming flesh. How else could God identify with us and we with him if he remained a spirit.

Why did "God" need to destroy so many people and creatures in biblical floods and catastrophies? The Devil was not nearly so destructive and merciless.

That you can ask him when you stand before him!
The devil is more destructive than you will ever be aware of, it's just he masks himself as an angel of light to deceive people in ways you are'nt aware of

If "God" were all-powerful, why did He not teach these people the ways of "good" instead of just letting them carry on doing bad things

Will people ever take responsibility for their choices...it's always easy to blame God ro other things!!

? Why did "God" not just put a big electric fence or force field around the tree of knowledge instead of just "teasing" Adam and Eve with it. It's like taunting a dog by holding a big juicy bone right over it's nose, then when the dog naturally grabs the bone, condemning it and the rest of it's entire species to life long pain and punishment. Why do animals still experience the pain of giving birth? What tree did they steal from to deserve the same death and punishment humans get?

And so it all boils down to the question....Why would I want to believe in a god that creates life then destroys it for such petty, selfish reasons? And all this to those He claims to "love" so much? I would almost rather worship the Devil. At least Satan seems more forgiving.

None of this makes any sense to me. But I'm sure "God" has His reasons for all of this. I just can't think of any good ones.

I don't mean to sound disrespectful of other faiths, in fact, I believe that ALL things and beliefs have some truth to offer, even christianity. There is just too many questions that are left unanswered that force me to be a non-believer in some things. I honestly don't believe in "God" and if there were one, I don't think He would be nearly all that bad

Questions that God wants to answer I'm sure ,but in his time and when your ready to accept the answer. One must lay down their preconceived ideas and notions and by faith come to God, seeing their sin and immediate position before God.

Most if not all people who come to God do not get all their questions answered, they come to God because they see their sin first and then when they get right with God ,he begins to reveal his truth to you.

 

[Linda777]

That is true, I know nothing of God. But that is why I am asking these questions. These are very point blank "not nice" questions, but if it is all a part of "God's" greater purpose, wouldn't you like to know WHY? I don't mean to criticize the Bible, in fact I have actually defended it's validity in some of my other posts. It holds many truths. But I don't think it holds ALL the truth.

It does hold all the truth since Jesus Christ said that he is personally the truth. What he says goes. Many myths, but only one Jesus who divided time when he was born. No matter who changed the calendar it was changed. Only one truth is needed. This is that there is hope for us beyond this life.

If the search for Truth is the search for God, why stop at one book?

The Bible is the story of the One who came to save us from evil. We don't need anything else.

There is some truth in ALL things.

Nope.

Perhaps the bible is not ALL true.

From Genesis to the Revelation of Jesus Christ the Bible tells one story; the story of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps all those horrible things did not actually happen by "God's" will. That's a nicer thought.

Of course they happened by God's will. God is Sovereign. He alone is the power in whatever happens. He has two wills; one perfect, one permissive. He created evil and he is love. Hard to understand, yet he was upfront about it. I am so glad that is is he that creates the evil and it doesn't act on its own volition. This is good news.

I believe that Energy itself is the creating, motivating, and "animating" factor behind the Universe. We are all part of it. Nature and energy is not nearly as personal about what it generates and then destroys. It does nothing with malice or vengeance that I know of, besides what humans do to each other. It merely exists and does what it does.

Study when Jesus spoke in John 3 to Nicodemus. He told him that he the Son of man was in heaven. Yet he the Son of man was on earth when he said this. He was in two places at one time. He is that energy that fuels the universe and maintains it always. He is omnipotent and omnipresent and omniscient. He is magnificent and we should always love and trust him. He tells us to trust him Why shouldn't we?

Do you have any "real" answers for any of my miserable, "ungodly" questions?

To understand the story of Jesus Christ, one has to begin at the beginning at Genesis 1. The Bible tells an orderly story explaining along the way who we are and who he is.

I thought no one was merely mortal? I thought our "soul" or "spirit" was eternal was it not? The body is just a vessel.

We are very subject to death.

Even if I were to theoretically get sent to Hell, I would not be able to take my physical body with me anyways. How then would the Devil be able to "torture" me? Throw insults at me and give me dirty looks? You can't "hurt" something that doesn't feel pain.

First let us get one thing straight. The devil is a LIAR, THIEF and MURDERER. That is it. He has no power except what is given him by God. Then he has to beg for it. The Bible calls him a puny thing. He has no power over the one whose life is hid with Christ in God. Everything the devil tells you is automatically a lie. No truth is in him. If you were going to Hell, he sure wouldn't know it. And God doesn't need him to deliver messages to you.

I guess all the people "God" created before were just vampires.

They might have been. The fallen angels had children from the women of earth. Strange things were going on back then. God ordered the utter destruction of the Canaanites because of their evil behaviour. They were sacrificial their children to devils. God commands people to repent and if they don't then it is over for them. He is a nice God, but not one who messes with evil. He destroys it.

But if "God" created vampires would it not be natural for them to act like vampires?

Yes, but it doesn't mean God won't kill them off. Remember he repented that he created man? He actually was sorry he made man since all man did was do evil. Everything God does is justified simply because he said so. "Because I said so that's why!" (God)

Would it be their fault they were created in such a way? They were merely serving the purpose for which they were created were they not? Where's the harm in that?

God can create something and not like it. He hated Esau. Anything that opposes God has to go. He will not tolerate it. He creates evil. He said so in Isaiah.

I can only be a human. A tree can only be a tree. A snake can only be a snake. Where is the evil? If everything has it's purpose, where did "God" go wrong?

God didn't go wrong. Man did. He made us in his image and his image was seriously marred when man chose to go the other way from which he was commanded to go. God said, "Don't eat of that tree" and man said, "I will eat of that tree." and Lucifer said those two scary words also, "I will." to God.

Wouldn't it have been easier to just put the "tree of knowledge" out of reach of human hands somewhere? I don't leave chemicals or medicine in a spot where a child might get into it.

I see what you mean. God made us in his image. Adam and Eve already had it within them to do evil. God knew this. But only after the serpent came did they become aware of the evil they could do. Of course Satan disguised it as good. He lied to them. He basically told them that God was a liar. They stupidly believed it. You know the rest of the story.

If it did happen, it would be my own fault. I think "God" needs to learn some serious parenting skills.

Be careful not to accuse God. He is in heaven. You are on earth. You are the creature. He is the Creator. Adam and Eve probably knew better, but then again, humans will be humans. Perhaps they had that little thought of evil cross their minds before they even touched the tree of knowledge...."lets steal something and see if we get away with it." How is that even possible if they didn't know what evil was? What made them want to steal the apple in the first place? Perhaps they were not created "perfectly" in the first place. That would be "God's" fault now wouldn't it?

God's fault? yes and he certainly took the blame when he became sin for us and died so we could live again. They rebelled against good and they did after the serpent came and not one second before. God said after he made all things that is was good. The serpent is the one you need to look at. He is the accuser and the liar, not God.
Forgive my posting. I was in a hurry. I'm posting at another message board besides this one.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I agree with a lot of what you say, but some of it contradicts itself as well. For one, the question I posed about God sending Jesus to earth. Why did God have to do this? So we can relate to another that is in the flesh? If that is so, how was the Bible itself written if God did not put the thoughts in the minds of the ones who wrote it. If God was able to communicate clearly with the apostles, then why could He not be able to do it with the rest of us? They were human and fallible were they not?

The other thing that you refered to in the bible of God being the only one true God. No one else is beside Him, and His glory will not be given to another. This is true, because in reality, there is no Other, only ALL "God". There is no separate identity as Satan. It doesn't matter what we worship, if God is ALL things, we can only worship God. Worshipping of idols to me, means that we should not give power to that which is separate from God. If you truly believe that a separate entity of Satan exists, then you are in a sense giving it that "idol" status and the power to be separate and exist. The more you believe in something, the more energy it has to be real. You are unintentionally giving Satan that power by believing so strongly that he exists. In a sense, you are giving power to an idol or concept of Satan as a separate thing from God. You are indirectly "worshipping" that "idol" of Satan without even realizing it. I don't believe in the Devil. To me there is only "God".

Stop believing in Satan as a separate entity from "God". You are making an idol out of him. You are giving Satan that power. I don't believe in any idols separate from ALL of what God is. God is ALL. It is YOU who are believing in idols.

How ironic it that!!

 

[Linda777]

Making things isn't impressive at all.

Creating the world is easy. Running it well... that's the hard part.

Let's see you make a universe.

 

[Runewolf1973]

Let's see you make a universe.

We are ALL part of the energy of what made the Universe and all things in it. Our energy was always there. When the Universe came into being, the energy that was already there just changed form. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only change form. In a sense, we are all part of "God's" creative abilities.