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tiberry · 06-02-2003, 06:47 AM

Why is it that everyone expects 'God' to be some benevolent being who stamps out all pain and suffering for mankind? That's not the intent of most religions, especially Christianity...

I think that the most significant "promise" or foundation for people's faith in any religion is the possibility for immortality. All of us want to be assured of our continued existence beyone this world. (that's read period)

Following this concept - its rationale to think that God has justified (for those who can't stomach a God who'd let such attrocities abound) starvation, murder, suffering, genocide, etc. by offering the one thing that we all desire. Who cares what kind of life I lead here if I can look forward to immortality without suffering?

The one catch is faith. Which brings me to my next point. I know there are those who will bash me for my reference, but nevertheless - Has anyone read "Memnoch the Devil" by Anne Rice? She poses an interesing scenario that describes the whole picture of God, the Devil, & Humans that does a remarkable job of explaining the 'why' of it all. We've got to think simple...

What if its all a bet? What if the creator of all things was challenged to a bet that essentially says "Given the choice between following you and your promise of everlasting life or doing what 'feels right', humans will act on thier instincts because you've created them too much like you? Of course he'd have to be "hands-off" to avoid influencing the outcome. That's why its caled faith!

Either way - there is in each of us the ability to know and FEEL what is right...it isn't a matter of religion imposing guilt for killing someone or sex with the hooker - we KNOW it isn't right, otherwise we wouldn't feel guilt! Blaming religion is a crutch.

I'm tired an unable to assemble coherant thoughts anymore, so I'll close. I still hold that nearly every horrible thing is attributable to man's inability to act on his own conscienceness and "do the right thing" - its as simple as that. Does this prove the existence of a 'Supreme Being'? Not in the least, after all religion was created to quantify the "inner voice" of what's right and wrong - obviously since human's are incapable of such a notion as a whole, then it MUST be a supreme power that its attributed to.

Me

06-02-2003, 06:47 AM	#21 (permalink)
tiberry Insane Location: Location, Location!	Why is it that everyone expects 'God' to be some benevolent being who stamps out all pain and suffering for mankind? That's not the intent of most religions, especially Christianity... I think that the most significant "promise" or foundation for people's faith in any religion is the possibility for immortality. All of us want to be assured of our continued existence beyone this world. (that's read period) Following this concept - its rationale to think that God has justified (for those who can't stomach a God who'd let such attrocities abound) starvation, murder, suffering, genocide, etc. by offering the one thing that we all desire. Who cares what kind of life I lead here if I can look forward to immortality without suffering? The one catch is faith. Which brings me to my next point. I know there are those who will bash me for my reference, but nevertheless - Has anyone read "Memnoch the Devil" by Anne Rice? She poses an interesing scenario that describes the whole picture of God, the Devil, & Humans that does a remarkable job of explaining the 'why' of it all. We've got to think simple... What if its all a bet? What if the creator of all things was challenged to a bet that essentially says "Given the choice between following you and your promise of everlasting life or doing what 'feels right', humans will act on thier instincts because you've created them too much like you? Of course he'd have to be "hands-off" to avoid influencing the outcome. That's why its caled faith! Either way - there is in each of us the ability to know and FEEL what is right...it isn't a matter of religion imposing guilt for killing someone or sex with the hooker - we KNOW it isn't right, otherwise we wouldn't feel guilt! Blaming religion is a crutch. I'm tired an unable to assemble coherant thoughts anymore, so I'll close. I still hold that nearly every horrible thing is attributable to man's inability to act on his own conscienceness and "do the right thing" - its as simple as that. Does this prove the existence of a 'Supreme Being'? Not in the least, after all religion was created to quantify the "inner voice" of what's right and wrong - obviously since human's are incapable of such a notion as a whole, then it MUST be a supreme power that its attributed to. Me __________________ My life's work is to bridge the gap between that which is perceived by the mind and that which is quantifiable by words and numbers.