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Willravel · 01-10-2005, 09:31 AM

BK1017, interesting question. "If god truly exists and is all powerful, why does he let bad things happen? Why does he let bad things happen to good people?" (BTW, I realize you are using this question to show that Gods lack of a direct role makes it less likely that He either exists or cares)

I'll take a shot at that. Let's say you are a good person. Let's say you were raised in a good home with parents who loved you very much. Let's say you always had food on the table and clothes on your back. Let's say your parents instilled good values and morals in you, so you know right from wrong. Let's say you always show compassion and empathy.Let's say you are a good person.

Now take this person, and have him or her born in the South in the 1700s. Let's say they were born on a plantation. Let's say this person was raised to believe that black people are an inferrior species. Let's say this person was raised to hate black people. This person grows up and inherits the plantation and has his slaves beatnen regularly because he thinks it keeps them in mind.

My question is: what makes a good person a good person? Do you mean inate good? Is there even such a thing as inate goodness?

Imagine God did play a direct role in our lives, like He did in the bible. Let's say (I'm just going to keep saying "Let's say", so get used to it) he spoke to people and appeared to people and was a direct presence in our lives. Let's say he showed favor to those who are "good". Let's also say he prevents things like the tsunami. What kind of God would that be? We would all become intirely dependant on Him. We expect Him to save us from reality. The only problem is that isn't love. If God loves us, He will alow us freedom.

Think about how we treat children. In their infancy, we coddle them and keep them completly protected. We know that they do not have the ability to protect themselves, so we protect them. As they get older though, as their ability to deal with life grows, we allow them to be exposed to reality more and more. When children reach adulthood, they are basically released into the world to their own devises. Partents know that if you coddle your children forever, they never learn to deal with reality. God knows that if He coddles us, we'd never learn to live in reality. God made reality the way it is for a reason. We are expected to live our lives in this reality. Bad things happen to good people and bad people alike. It's not God's responsibility to save you from reality, it's your responsibility to live in it and deal with it.

That's not to say that God is completly absent from your life either. The trick for Him is to be present just so much that you think He might be there, but you don't know for sure.

01-10-2005, 09:31 AM	#48 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	BK1017, interesting question. "If god truly exists and is all powerful, why does he let bad things happen? Why does he let bad things happen to good people?" (BTW, I realize you are using this question to show that Gods lack of a direct role makes it less likely that He either exists or cares) I'll take a shot at that. Let's say you are a good person. Let's say you were raised in a good home with parents who loved you very much. Let's say you always had food on the table and clothes on your back. Let's say your parents instilled good values and morals in you, so you know right from wrong. Let's say you always show compassion and empathy.Let's say you are a good person. Now take this person, and have him or her born in the South in the 1700s. Let's say they were born on a plantation. Let's say this person was raised to believe that black people are an inferrior species. Let's say this person was raised to hate black people. This person grows up and inherits the plantation and has his slaves beatnen regularly because he thinks it keeps them in mind. My question is: what makes a good person a good person? Do you mean inate good? Is there even such a thing as inate goodness? Imagine God did play a direct role in our lives, like He did in the bible. Let's say (I'm just going to keep saying "Let's say", so get used to it) he spoke to people and appeared to people and was a direct presence in our lives. Let's say he showed favor to those who are "good". Let's also say he prevents things like the tsunami. What kind of God would that be? We would all become intirely dependant on Him. We expect Him to save us from reality. The only problem is that isn't love. If God loves us, He will alow us freedom. Think about how we treat children. In their infancy, we coddle them and keep them completly protected. We know that they do not have the ability to protect themselves, so we protect them. As they get older though, as their ability to deal with life grows, we allow them to be exposed to reality more and more. When children reach adulthood, they are basically released into the world to their own devises. Partents know that if you coddle your children forever, they never learn to deal with reality. God knows that if He coddles us, we'd never learn to live in reality. God made reality the way it is for a reason. We are expected to live our lives in this reality. Bad things happen to good people and bad people alike. It's not God's responsibility to save you from reality, it's your responsibility to live in it and deal with it. That's not to say that God is completly absent from your life either. The trick for Him is to be present just so much that you think He might be there, but you don't know for sure.