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Original poster

How can you possibly believe in a benevolent God

886 replies

partialderivative · 30/04/2015 23:01

Once more, acts of 'god' have left communities blown apart.

Does any one really feel these vilages deserved it?

God's a bit of a cunt at times.

OP posts:
BigDorrit · 04/05/2015 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chiggers · 04/05/2015 18:28

If a Christian becomes irate/upset/angry after having their belief questioned, their belief must be fragile enough not to have any evidential foundation.

If Adam and Eve were the first 2 people on the earth, then why do they have bellybuttons?

Sistermillyrose · 04/05/2015 18:33

What a ridiculous thing to say Dorrit
You know very well I can't do that, but it sounds very plausible doesn't it to be able to say that. Can you prove to me there isn't one. Be careful, you've just made a categorical statement there. I was told I shouldn't do that.

BigDorrit · 04/05/2015 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 18:41

A demand for negative proof is a logical fallacy.

Sistermillyrose · 04/05/2015 18:41

On the whole it's atheists who are the ones who get angry, irate and upset with us believers. Why we should bother them so much I don't know but it's very common on here. As for the faith being fragile, not in my case. I have a strong belief.
Just for interest..... how do you know that Adam and Eve had belly buttons?

BigDorrit · 04/05/2015 18:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chiggers · 04/05/2015 18:55

I've never come across any pictures of them without a bellybutton, which indicates that they aren't real or they didn't need a navel due to not needing a mother as they were made by god. And I've come across many, many copies of paintings where not a single one shows Adam or Eve without a bellybutton.

Sistermillyrose · 04/05/2015 18:58

No Dorian you got me wrong, apart from anything else isn't it the ones who rage against God and who blame him for every disaster and tragedy going who are the angry ones? The OPs post was angrier than any of mine actually, using the c**t in the context she did.

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 18:58

Sister, you seem intent on ignoring me.

I've explained at length on this thread that most atheists don't give a fig what you choose to believe - in fact, I've gone out of my way to emphasise my support for your right to believe whatever you wish. What I personally object to is religious people - and particularly in this country Christians - holding structural privilege that comes from a standpoint of trying to impose their beliefs on others. I

also object to Christians (or other religious people) demanding I must show respect for the substance of their beliefs, rather than their right to hold them - no matter how misguided and damaging I think those beliefs are.

I know many people of faith who are willing to debate this issues with me in good faith and without resorting to some of the astounding arrogance that tends to characterise these threads on MN. I've learned a great deal from those conversations and those people and I manage to remain good friends, in part because they don't make startlingly horrible assertions about things like Christian values, morality and the nature of human love. Instead we have some crackingly good and open discussions about the early church and the problems of Biblical reform during the Reformation.

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 19:00

You're also moving the goalposts a bit on what you think the 'angry' people are angry about - is it believers, or is it your God? Not the same thing.

Chiggers · 04/05/2015 19:10

Christians do not have the monopoly on good behaviour and values. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can behave well and adhere to respectful values without god or religion. It's called thinking for ourselves. If I was to take my values from the bible, I'd be whining about not being able to have slaves, murdering people because they aren't adhering to god's word and much, much more. That is not a deity I want to follow.

The funny thing is, many christians say they don't follow the old testament, but follow the 10 commandments. From what I gather, it doesn't make sense to swear by the commandments and not follow the rest of the OT, as that's where the 10 commandments came from.

Sistermillyrose · 04/05/2015 19:11

an invisible flying unicorn called Derek (All Hail Derek)? Trying to get someone to prove a negative hardly helps your argument...
bigdorrit that's the thing, I don't want anything to help my argument. Believe me I'm not even remotely trying to convert you. You don't believe, I do, simple as that. Obviously I can't prove there is a God, so there is no point in continuing with it all. Unless of course you want to.

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 19:17

Chiggers, it makes as much sense as people saying that they follow the New Testament, but that they don't think accepting and following Jesus is an absolute prerequisite for entering heaven. That's one I would really, honestly love to hear explained.

Sistermillyrose · 04/05/2015 19:33

Do you know what, my DH isn't a Christian, he was never baptised, so what. He's a good person. I don't go to church, I know loads that do that aren't good people. I think my DH will go to heaven because he's a good kind man. I don't like organised religions, they're responsible for too many wars in the world.
I just have my own faith. I believe in God. There's no way I am more entitled than anyone else to go to heaven.

Hakluyt · 04/05/2015 19:46

Sistermillierose- I thought I'd repost this- because it answers the question you are asking all wide eyed Smile. You read it, because you responded to one small afterthough.But maybe you missed the main part?

sistermillierose- nobody, but nobody- has raised any objection to you believing whatever you want to belive. And if you care to look, you will see that I certainly said the use of the word cunt was a mistake.

What I, and many others object to is a) the imposition of faith on other people in any way and b) the hijacking of all that is good, beautiful and moral by Christians-as if only Chrisitians have a right to, or are capable appreciating or practising them

I also object to the misrepresentation of atheism, and the refusal of some people to accept that they are misrepresenting it.

As a side issue, I do find myself irritated by Christians constant claims of mockery, or nastiness when they have merely been disagreed with. If you make categorical statements, you must expect disagreement

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 19:49

Good for you, Sister, I'm glad you have a belief system you're comfortable with. And goodness knows there are plenty of types of Christianity that are often very distant from each other.

Chiggers · 04/05/2015 19:51

Me too Jassy. It would be interesting to hear an explanation about that bit.

Sistermillyrose · 04/05/2015 20:13

If you make categorical statements, you must expect disagreement
Totally agree, as I said that must work both ways.

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 20:15

I think most atheists are used to that.

FiveLittlePeas · 04/05/2015 20:22

But surely if God exists and is omnipotent he could have prevented the earthquake happening?
why?

Hakluyt · 04/05/2015 20:34

If you make categorical statements, you must expect disagreement
Totally agree, as I said that must work both ways."

Of course. I notice you're focusing on that one point again.

Hakluyt · 04/05/2015 20:41

"But surely if God exists and is omnipotent he could have prevented the earthquake happening?
why?"

Because Matthew 10:29.

adrianna22 · 04/05/2015 20:47

This thread is quite offensive to the people who believe in a God...

I shouldn't of clicked on here...

JassyRadlett · 04/05/2015 20:50

Adrianna, can you explain why?

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