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[taylorson]

Last Saturday I saw an advertisement for a vineyard church in Cambridge on the commuter rail so I decided to give it a whirl. The visit was awkward and brought more light into an already well lit room on how I feel about God in general. My goal was to get involved with a group to expand my social circle and help out the community as well.

Comments

[evanthered]

[taylorson]

Yeah, you're right that I shouldn't lump them together like that. However, I would say that I am specifically talking about any christian that considers God an omnibenevolent being, which includes a good deal of them. To me, there are too many horrible events of pain and suffering to justify God's "goodness". You might be able to pick at circumstancial instances but you have to blantently ignore everything else.

I see what you mean about not depriving 3rd world denizens of hope (i.e. belief that they're sufferings are a means to a good end). However, hope is not limited to the belief in the christian God.

[evanthered]

[taylorson]

I agree that it would be simpler to manually change your views, as I have already done myself, however my argument solely lies with those who do not wish to change those views, i.e. God is omnipotent and perfectly good. My definition of a perfect entity does not allow situations with meaningless suffering (physical torture, rape, oppression, etc.) that only end in eternal torment of a soul. I believe God to be imperfect. To imply that he is perfect is a smack in the face to all those burning in hell for bullshit reasons (the reasons being defined by those whom I disagree with

[evanthered]

[taylorson]

I can agree with you that some people are content with their suffering or that good things can come from it.

I'm glad you delved more into how you view this with your example because I was having some trouble deciphering what you meant earlier. This is exactly the problem I have with such Atheists (well anybody actually) that would aruge in this manner. My solution to the problem would... well IS to think like the well-fed ethicist, but not mention my thoughts to the person out loud and help them the best I can. I can think one way but not be a douche about it (not saying that you were saying I'm a douche but I would agree that the WFE is a douche in this scenario).

Now if he so asked me what I thought about the situation, then I'd shove it down his throat.