Minor Axis
Well-Known Member
Do good things happen to Godly people, and bad things happen to non-believers? And are the good things that happen by God's hand primary rewarded in the afterlife? I ask this because there are strong believers that when something bad happens, think that God has let them down.
Here's an example: the tornado comes through the neighborhood where everyone goes to church and are fervent believers knocking down every house but one. All those who lost their home says "why God, why?" while the one person who's house remains standing says "Praise the Lord, thank you for sparing my house!" What conclusion can you draw from this example?
1. God rewards those who are good.
2. God tests us in mysterious ways we don't understand.
3. Shit happens.
I strongly believe we are on this Earth to experience life, the good and the bad. And btw, we make the Earth what it is. It actually could be our Hell. Anyway, if you believe in a spirit that continues on, then what happens during your physical life is just an experience that you might benefit from. I'm not saying that divine intervention is impossible but there are so many cases of bad things happening to good people and good things happening to bad people, it's really hard to conclude that God is "hands on" taking care of his flock. Consequently I pick No.3. God's participation in worldly affairs is minimal at best. However, that is not to imply you are not rewarded if you live a good life. It's possible especially if your philosophical about the meaning of life and you believe in a spiritual life. However the reward might only be your "self improvement."
Kind of related, I've got some fundamentalist friends who really believe if a church full of people pray for someone, it makes a difference. I really can't prove that it does not make a difference, but what is making the difference? If a million people wish for something, there could be a force that helps facilitate the desired outcome. But what is that force- the work of the traditional supreme being or something else?
Finally I'm really bugged by people who claim that if your "bad" you'll be punished as if that is the only reason for being good. How about being good for good's sake? The other problem I have are people who believe the only reason people are good are because they are religious as if religion is the source of whatever goodness they possess. You can be totally non committed to any organized religion and still have a strong moral compass.
Here's an example: the tornado comes through the neighborhood where everyone goes to church and are fervent believers knocking down every house but one. All those who lost their home says "why God, why?" while the one person who's house remains standing says "Praise the Lord, thank you for sparing my house!" What conclusion can you draw from this example?
1. God rewards those who are good.
2. God tests us in mysterious ways we don't understand.
3. Shit happens.
I strongly believe we are on this Earth to experience life, the good and the bad. And btw, we make the Earth what it is. It actually could be our Hell. Anyway, if you believe in a spirit that continues on, then what happens during your physical life is just an experience that you might benefit from. I'm not saying that divine intervention is impossible but there are so many cases of bad things happening to good people and good things happening to bad people, it's really hard to conclude that God is "hands on" taking care of his flock. Consequently I pick No.3. God's participation in worldly affairs is minimal at best. However, that is not to imply you are not rewarded if you live a good life. It's possible especially if your philosophical about the meaning of life and you believe in a spiritual life. However the reward might only be your "self improvement."
Kind of related, I've got some fundamentalist friends who really believe if a church full of people pray for someone, it makes a difference. I really can't prove that it does not make a difference, but what is making the difference? If a million people wish for something, there could be a force that helps facilitate the desired outcome. But what is that force- the work of the traditional supreme being or something else?
Finally I'm really bugged by people who claim that if your "bad" you'll be punished as if that is the only reason for being good. How about being good for good's sake? The other problem I have are people who believe the only reason people are good are because they are religious as if religion is the source of whatever goodness they possess. You can be totally non committed to any organized religion and still have a strong moral compass.
