Why do most people assume God is benevolent?

[cottage]

"Theism" isn't a religion anymore than atheism is.

Right. It simply makes the distinction between monotheism and polytheism. The Judeo/Christian/Islamic beliefs (to which I am referring) all share the notion that God is merciful, though in response to the contradiction it is said that his purpose is not understood.

Cottage

 

[rojse]

Right. It simply makes the distinction between monotheism and polytheism. The Judeo/Christian/Islamic beliefs (to which I am referring) all share the notion that God is merciful, though in response to the contradiction it is said that his purpose is not understood.

Cottage

There are other theistic religions that don't fit under the Abrahamic umbrella, though.

 

[Buttons*]

Because of Anselm

 

[cottage]

There are other theistic religions that don't fit under the Abrahamic umbrella, though.

Yes, of course, but I'm not sure whether they allude to a benevolent deity.

Cottage

 

[Falvlun]

He accidentally made a poor choice of words, but I thought his point was clear enough: There is a distinct concept of benevolence ascribed to God by many adherents of the monotheistic faith of Christianity (I do not know for sure whether Islam or Judaism considers God to be benevolent.)

 

[cottage]

He accidentally made a poor choice of words, but I thought his point was clear enough: There is a distinct concept of benevolence ascribed to God by many adherents of the monotheistic faith of Christianity (I do not know for sure whether Islam or Judaism considers God to be benevolent.)

Ah! thank you.

If I might just add that the Torah describes a merciful and compassionate God. And Islamic beliefs include forgiveness and mercy; in the Quran it is written: 'in the name of God, the merciful'.

Cottage

 

[logician]

Again, there is no evidence whatsoever that one can determine if some god, if it exists, that it is solely benevolent. There seems to be much more that would say it tend towards malevolence.

 

[sojourner]

Again, there is no evidence whatsoever that one can determine if some god, if it exists, that it is solely benevolent. There seems to be much more that would say it tend towards malevolence.

Opinions vary...

 

[cottage]

Again, there is no evidence whatsoever that one can determine if some god, if it exists, that it is solely benevolent. There seems to be much more that would say it tend towards malevolence.

There is an abundance of factual evidence that shows there is no benevolent God.

Cottage

 

[sojourner]

There is an abundance of factual evidence that shows there is no benevolent God.

Cottage

Great! I invoke habeas corpus. Show me the body, and I'll believe you.

 

[rojse]

There is an abundance of factual evidence that shows there is no benevolent God.

Cottage

If you really want to go down this road, where is the evidence that proves God exists at all, never mind his personal attributes?

 

[sojourner]

If you really want to go down this road, where is the evidence that proves God exists at all, never mind his personal attributes?

I'd still like to know where the evidence is that proves God does not exist at all...

 

[rojse]

I'd still like to know where the evidence is that proves God does not exist at all...

I never said that God did not exist. He could well be out and about touching everyone with His Noodly Appendage.

 

[JMorris]

I never said that God did not exist. He could well be out and about touching everyone with His Noodly Appendage.

someone ought to sue god for sexual harrassment then.........

 

[Falvlun]

Again, there is no evidence whatsoever that one can determine if some god, if it exists, that it is solely benevolent. There seems to be much more that would say it tend towards malevolence.

Exactly.
But this point, though valid, doesn't explain why some people do ascribe benevolence to God.

 

[cottage]

If you really want to go down this road, where is the evidence that proves God exists at all, never mind his personal attributes?

There is none that I'm aware of (leaving aside the classic ontological, cosmological and teleological 'proofs', all of which have their respective difficulties). Nor can we assert 'There is no God' if (and only if) the concept is logically possible. And it is upon this point that the supposed attribute of benevolence demonstrates that such a God cannot logically exist.

Cottage

 

[Mister Emu]

Indeed! I entirely agree with all the above. There is no thought or action that is without a selfish element. And no exceptions.

Stop projecting...

There is an abundance of factual evidence that shows there is no benevolent God.

Provide it...

edit:
As for why I assume that God is benevolent... in all my experiences with Him that is an apt description of what He has been...

 

[cottage]

Stop projecting...

'Projecting'! It's not projection, it's a logical truth. Give me just one example of a thought or action that doesn't have a selfish element to it.
Provide it...

The Tsunami; the Holocaust; 911; cancer; rape; murder; infant mortality; the Plague...

 

[Mister Emu]

It's not projection, it's a logical truth. Give me just one example of a thought or action that doesn't have a selfish element to it.

Someone helps someone without any selfish motivation... for example, a guy lends someone some money, just because they ask. I've done it

The Tsunami; the Holocaust; 911; cancer; rape; murder; infant mortality; the Plague...

How do these things disprove a benevolent God?

 

[BucephalusBB]

Someone helps someone without any selfish motivation... for example, a guy lends someone some money, just because they ask. I've done it

The Joey syndrom..
Was this "someone" a random person or family/friend/'friend'?
If it was a random person, did you feel good about yourself that you did this act?