What would make you turn down a request from god?

[JJ50]

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it. If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so! Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it. If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so! Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

I wouldn't. Because I could never even contemplate killing my child, and I have a dangerously strong streak in me for dismissal or outright rebellion against things anyone tries to force me into. I would also perceive a request like that as a threat - you threaten my kid, you have threatened me.

Honestly, in the story of Abraham, I have never understood how the "right" reaction (the one God should have wanted) wasn't for Abraham to tell God to go stuff himself. That's how I would react. And then I would probably follow up with "By the way... where the hell have you been?"

 

[JJ50]

I wouldn't. Because I could never even contemplate killing my child, and I have a dangerously strong streak in me for dismissal or outright rebellion against things anyone tries to force me into. I would also perceive a request like that as a threat - you threaten my kid, you have threatened me.

Honestly, in the story of Abraham, I have never understood how the "right" reaction (the one God should have wanted) wasn't for Abraham to tell God to go stuff himself. That's how I would react. And then I would probably follow up with "By the way... where the hell have you been?"

Good for you. It beats me how Abraham was thought to be a good guy, when he was prepared to sacrifice his son.

 

[Thief]

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it. If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so! Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

I have always felt the story you cite.....to be a bit too much
perhaps embellished over time

however....in the same vein of proposal as you do here and now....I say

hesitation

First I would need at least a moment to square myself to hearing disembodied Voices
THEN at least enough interaction to realize whether or not I have lost my mind

of course, obedience to such a Voice would need more than a simple command
I would require a serious convincing
perhaps more so than Job and Moses put together

serious affliction and burning bushes are not enough that I harm anyone else
especially a loved one

 

[Unveiled Artist]

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it. If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so! Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

If I were a christian, to be honest, yes I would. I posed this question awhile back and no christian answered it. I asked in a chat room once, and the chat manager said not to ask questions like that because it makes new christians and christians in general uncomfortable there in a christian chat room.

If god is the creator and everything he does is right and the benefit for all, I would have a hard to wondering why any christian would not do what god wanted them to do. If their life is dependant on god and they feel death isn't the end, even if that child went to hell, I would assume the lesson would be for the person who god gave the command.

If I were christian, I would kill the child and let god send that child wherever he wants him to go. Since, I wouldn't have the right to claim life on earth or in heaven or hell.

From my perspective, any action of killing regardless where one goes is not right. I could no longer kill a child for god than I would kill myself. What punishment would god put on me that's so harsh all because I choose for someone to live rather than die?

No christian has yet to answer.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Any god who would be so petty as to care about what I do as an individual would hardly be a god worth worshiping. I expect a god would have far more important things to worry about than tormenting primitive insects.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

on the other hand, if such a deity could convince me that its communication was real, I would gladly sacrifice myself if it would save others, especially, say, if my death would mean eternal life or salvation or whatever for billions of others...

However, I doubt that I would ever believe such a communication to be real and true from the 'mouth' (or whatever), of God.

Even so, I would put myself at risk to preserve the life of others--or at least, I would hope I would do so...I haven't really had the opportunity in this life...

 

[Quintessence]

I would never face this situation given I refuse to be a breeder. But, we can reasonably replace the situation with something more broadly applicable: one of the gods requests that a devotee destroy/sacrifice something that is precious to them. Further, the behavior required for this destruction is an illegal activity and would result in incarceration or other civic punishment if caught.

I would do that... why? That just sounds like all kinds of stupid.

 

[Brickjectivity]

If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so!

This story is not written to the general public, and it does not say 'God', and that is significant as is the recent change of this mans name from Abram to Abraham. This story uses the term 'LORD' not 'God' which you overlook perhaps. What we do know is in the story Abraham is challenged about whether he will put his son's life before the LORD. He does not, but remember that LORD and God may not be the same thing. What is clear is the leader of this clan has decided to put the welfare of the world before the welfare of his own son. It makes clear that this leaders son Isaac is bound by the same rules as the rest of the clan. That is partly what this is about, but there is more besides.

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it.

A relevant and similar question is would you kill your child to save the world. Some would, and some would not. Americans in WWII tearily sent their children off to war. Asking Abraham to offer his son to the LORD is similar, but for Abraham this meaning is not about war nor about a bloodthirsty deity. This is about carrying on his work of service. Also if 'Abram' had been the one to offer Isaac before his name was changed to 'Abraham' which means father of tribes, then the meaning of this would be different. As it is, Abraham has put the welfare of the tribes ahead of that of his son and also that of the world before the welfare of his tribes. This sets us up for the rest of the story in Genesis, Exodus etc. Its not about a man offering to kill his child for the sake of a bloodthirsty idol. Far from it. No, this is about dedicating his line to service.

Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

The story does not say 'God', nor does Abraham necessarily have a concept of God in the story. He might. We are talking about the leader of a clan in Mesopotamia up until his name changes in Genesis 17:5, and after this his descendants will have clans of their own to carry on his work.

 

[Father Heathen]

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it. If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so! Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

I think conscientious defiance shows better moral character than blind obedience, even if came down to god's will (and any actual god worthy of reverence would agree.) Regarding the Abraham account, if I were god I would've been far more proud of him for having the balls to stand up for what was right rather than attempt to murder his own son as an *** kissing gesture. Case in point, SS guards "only following orders". We don't praise that ****, do we.
Oh, and if blind obedience is supposed to be the right course of action rather than questioning things and listening to one's own conscience, then all the devil has to do with pretend to be god, and he can have the faithful commit all sorts of heinous acts "in the name of god"... hey... wait a minute! Hmm... could fundamentalist christians be unwitting devil worshippers?

 

[RedDragon94]

If those who believe god is a real entity and in communication with them, received what they thought was an order to kill their child, would they do it. If the story of Abraham is to be believed that is exactly what he was prepared to do, the evil so and so! Even if the request was not so extreme, but went against what they thought was right, would they still do it?

It depends on the person and what the request is. If I thought God was telling me to harm someone I would have to question if it was God (seeing as God created the person). I believe in God I just don't know which one.

 

[Thief]

It depends on the person and what the request is. If I thought God was telling me to harm someone I would have to question if it was God (seeing as God created the person). I believe in God I just don't know which one.

how about the One who said
Thou shall not kill

 

[RedDragon94]

how about the One who said
Thou shall not kill

And then Israel turned around and slaughtered a bunch of Canaanites because God told them to.

 

[Thief]

And then Israel turned around and slaughtered a bunch of Canaanites because God told them to.

yep....so the story goes

ya gotta wonder about the guy in charge