Is God A Hypocrite?

[Peter Parka]

No this isn't a thread to piss people off, its a serious question. Despite my hatred of religion, I've always believed in God and thought him to be a good guy. Tonight though I had a serious debate with a religious person which led me to question God and if he does exist, lead me to believe he's an arsehole. Let me explain.

1 Timothy 3:4 states of men in a position of oversight (vicars ect)

"having children in subjection with all seriousness"

Now how can you judge a persons position in the church when we've all seen some of Gods so called children, Hitler, Bin Laden ect (if we believe God made everything!) This is what leads me to believe that if there's a God he's an arsehole hypocrite. Anyone, especially believers of God, got any explaination for this?

 

[Peter Parka]

The simple explanation is: the force of evil, Satan, the devil...whatever you want to call it. If God influences the good, Satan influences the bad.

I find that a bit simplistic though, to be honest. Isn't good (God) supposed to be better and more powerful than evil (satan)? If so why does God allow shit to go on, or have I been watching too many Star Wars films?

 

[Peter Parka]

Ah, got it now! Apples are the root of all evil! (Hope that dosen't include cider because I really like it)

Seriously, sorry to be fustrating but I really dont get it! Any chance you could explain it in more simple language or are divs not part of Gods plan?

 

[Peter Parka]

Ah, thank you! Still dont really get it though, sounds like God is making people suffer to prove a point, not good!

 

[Peter Parka]

I still dont understand why if God is so good, he's interested in watching people suffer to decide whether they go to hell or heaven before he decides whether they are really good or not, sounds barbaric and sick to me.

 

[Peter Parka]

If you were throwing the most awesome party in the world, would you let anyone in?

Definately! The best partys happen like that! Take Woodstock for instance!

 

[Peter Parka]

So you wouldn't care what types showed up? If they trashed your house? Stole your stuff? Drank all your alcohol? Fucked your women? Anyone could come to your party?

Things happen for bad in a free for all but nothing of (good) note either would happen without a free for all. If things were controlled we'd have no revolutions and no fun and we'd all be living in a puritan age where dancing would still be banned!

 

[Peter Parka]

Oops! sorry! I'd just rather have something of interest happen, whats a good party without a good punch up? Seriously though, whats so great about sitting around on clouds with every one being really nice to each other? Sounds boring to me! I'd probably be the first to start a fisticuffs!

 

[Peter Parka]

There are good parties that don't involve fistfights, ya know. What's wrong with parties that have loud music, dancing, food and drink, plenty of good friends and conversation, jokes, happiness, no cops?

Well I like the no cops bit! Other than that, do you really believe that goes on in heaven and can you provide me with proof of it? It does sound good!

 

[Peter Parka]

Prove to me that He doesn't exist.

Prove to me that an alien life form didn't zap up Adam and Eve and the're about to exorcise the apocalypse upon us?:dunno

 

[Peter Parka]

You just made my point. Thank you.
There is generally never "proof" in the scientific sense for God's existence. The basis for a belief in God comes from history. While it's true that many cultures have worshipped many "gods" too numerous to mention, there are also many who have come to believe through the records of history. The fact is, that while there are different names given to God, a large percentage of the population (including a huge number now deceased) does believe in God's existence. How can you refute that number of believers?

I know you're off line now so I dont want this to look like I'm having the final word, just carrying it on for the next people online.

How can you refute the number of believers in Hitler and the Nazi regieme in the German 20-40s then?

 

[GraceAbounds]

There are 2 forces in the world.
God represents good.
Satan represents evil.
God is more powerful than Satan.
God allows Satan to exist in order that people may use their free will to choose.
God sent Jesus to Earth to attempt to tell people some guidelines of living so that they wouldn't all become influenced by Satan and go to Hell.

Simple
Direct
Truth
Agree'd

 

[All Else Failed]

The simple explanation is: the force of evil, Satan, the devil...whatever you want to call it. If God influences the good, Satan influences the bad.

Isn't Satan just an extension of god, since god created Satan and knew he would turn out to be "the dark lord"?

 

[All Else Failed]

If you were throwing the most awesome party in the world, would you let anyone in?

so god has the maturity level of a 6th grader, then? Thats a poor excuse.

 

[All Else Failed]

There are 2 forces in the world.
God represents good.
Satan represents evil.
God is more powerful than Satan.
God allows Satan to exist in order that people may use their free will to choose.
God sent Jesus to Earth to attempt to tell people some guidelines of living so that they wouldn't all become influenced by Satan and go to Hell.

Like peter pointed out, if what you say is true, god is using man to make a point and a means to an end.


Also, this doesn't even touch on how god is ultumately responsible for evil.




PS: free will largely doesn't exist.

 

[All Else Failed]

The simple explanation is: the force of evil, Satan, the devil...whatever you want to call it. If God influences the good, Satan influences the bad.

Just curious, by what means does Satan influence you to do bad?

 

[Maritxu]

free will doesn't exist? care to explain why?
I do think that God wanted us to be free and choose. Because I think He made this world as a place for us to learn, to gain some experience.

 

[All Else Failed]

free will doesn't exist? care to explain why?
I do think that God wanted us to be free and choose. Because I think He made this world as a place for us to learn, to gain some experience.

Everything you do is decided by internal and external forces, thats the short answer.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

I find that a bit simplistic though, to be honest. Isn't good (God) supposed to be better and more powerful than evil (satan)? If so why does God allow shit to go on, or have I been watching too many Star Wars films?

Excellent question. Many will tell you that there has to be a balance between good and evil, while God gave you the freewill, he wants you to be on his side without forcing you to do so.

Which brings up another one of my problems omnipresence vs freewill. You can't have both.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Which brings up another one of my problems omnipresence vs freewill. You can't have both.

Here is how I view that issue:
We don't have omnipresence, but God does. Just because he knows past, present, and future doesn't mean that we do not have freewill. Very simply speaking of course, I may know that my child is going to pick a candy bar instead of an apple if presented with the choice. But just because I know what the child is going to do does not mean that I have interfered with their free will to make the choice.

I believe that God has made His will known to us. And it is in that understanding that I believe it is for us to choose whether we are going to move up along side God's will and attempt to let Him work through and in us or if we are going to continue to try and accomplish everything in our own selfish will.

(This is strictly what I believe for myself and my life. Excuse me if my answer is too spiritually worded, it is just a part of who I am. I hope you kwim)