Lahore bombing - where is Christian god?

[lulucappuccino]

Ok, I know this is a very clichéd question, but 70+ people, mainly children, brutally murdered at a Christian, Easter celebration.

Families gone. Lives shattered. Unbearable pain.

WHY would god allow this?

Aibu to think this sort of thing proves there is no Christian god. Or if there is, "he's" not a good force?

I think real faith would be nice. Would be nice to think there is a nice afterlife, you meet your lived ones again and especially those who suffer through poverty, pain, persecution etc - go to something better.

It just seems too simple, too much like bribary to do as you are told, for those who hold power to keep the masses in line.

If there is a christian god, he seems demanding, cruel and egotistical. He supposedly made us, gave us free will - he must have known what would happen.

If you believe what it says in the bible Jesus went through some pretty horrific suffering and painful death for us and he was the least deserving of it. Why should his followers expect things to be easier?? And how do we know that he hasn't prevented even more carnage? Also, God created humans with free will not robots. Terrorism comes with free will sadly.

maybe these sorts of acts prove there is a devil, an evilness that people are willing to cause pain to further their own wishes and needs

I cannot understand how those of faith square that circle.

As long as they do square the circle, why do you need to understand it Ducky? Gay people have faith. Pro choicers have faith. Gay rights activists have faith. What is more important? That they square it or that you understand how?

The whole god created us with free will and then let us get on with it is just too convenient and gives him the ultimate getbout of jail free card. So what is he for, what does he do?

If you believe what it says in the bible Jesus went through some pretty horrific suffering and painful death for us and he was the least deserving of it.

Why was he the least deserving of it? Is a child blinded by disease more deserving of suffering than a grown man?

I'm not sure mainstream Christian thought recognises the idea of a Devil any more.

Because Jesus never sinned apparently.

And FYI I endured some pretty horrific suffering as a child.

So God has two options.

1. Give humans free will
2. Make "humans" into robots

Not everyone may agree with his decision but we can't have it both ways.

It may be a fallacy in your opinion Ducky but is it not obvious that I'm talking hypothetically???

"I think that God has a sick sense of humour and when I die, I expect to find him laughing"

Im an old school good catholic girl who lost her faith along the way. The answer I would have given back then was three-fold

1. living by faith means believing even when the worst happens. Faith never tested is no faith at all. Remember the story of the footprints in the sand... When you see only one set of footprints child (at the worst times in your life) it was then I carried you. If you are asking, "where was god?" You are doubting him, and his plan for you/them. Keep Strong to your faith and offer comfort to the bereaved.

2. God gave us free will. How we choose to use that, is up to us and clearly those who committed that atrocity had fallen far from the path of the Lord. God’s grace always goes far beyond sin’s disgrace and those who died will have a place in eternal paradise.

3. you do not know what gods plan is for you on his earth. Death is not the end, if you are a Christian. Whilst their families may grieve for them, gods love will offer them comfort. You never know what 'worse' trauma you/they were spared by gods intervention.

There are many ways in which people of faith can answer that question. Those are just three. I personally have no time or space for organised religion any longer - and cannot believe that a God of love would allow the atrocities we see committed in his name to occur. I also have to say, I believe(d) there is but one God - it's just other faiths have different names for him, and different stories to tell about their belief system.

I am actively pro-choice and gay rights. It sits perfectly with my belief in God. It also sits perfectly with many Christians I know. That is why I do not tar everyone with the same brush. And I would urge others to do the same.

Not all people of faith want to convert others. Not all people of faith are anti choice or gay rights. Similarly, not all atheists or agnostics are pro choice or pro gay rights.

I have to wonder Ducky why you insist on foot stamping about how god doesn't exist, how you tore strips off a poster for being goady and having a click bait title, how you wouldn't have posted on her thread if you'd known it was religious because you don't post on those threads since you don't want to deliberately offend someone and yet...here you are!

I don't care where you post. I just find it weird that you were so vocal about how the only reason you posted in the other thread was that you didn't know it was about god or religion.

Yet, as I said, here you are.

Nobody could accuse this OP of being ambiguous.

Again, I don't care what you do.

I wondered at your hypocrisy, which you don't seem to be able to answer...

If there was a Christian God then we already know he/she/ it is bloodthirsty and egotistical. What sort of parent goes round sacrificing their adult child up for crucifixion pretending it is for the good of mankind? Or impregnating young unmarried virgins who are subject to the death penalty if they can't find a sympathetic carpenter? Or instructing people to sacrifice their children and being a powerful influence when it comes to killing first borns and plagues and famine? If God existed he'd be a homicidal cult leader, so hardly likely to be anything but pleased at a bit more death and carnage.

And if anyone religious wants to say it's about human free will, then what's the point in praying?

I do not think you are "trying to understand"

You merely wish to rip apart every explanation given by people with faith, particularly those in a faith group.

You said that you do not deliberately cause offence and so you avoid religious threads.

You said the reason you posted on the other thread was because it was goady click bait (though that didn't explain why you posted on it once you knew it was religious).

I'm just saying those were your words. Now, you're here. That's all.

No need to get all het up about it.