Except for a few details, most of what I've said, at least about God, applies to Christians of all faiths. Admittedly, I don't know too much about the different sects of Christianity. I'm trying to steer the argument away from stereotypes because I can't argue stereotypes intelligently as I'll sound like an ass. My argument concerning the followers of CHrist is currently that while I concede that some are good worshippers, my own experiences with Christians has been generally more negative than positive. I know a few good christians but I've been annoyed and harassed, in person and those institution I support by loud, annoying christians. Maybe it's an unfair fact of humanity, but we tend to remember the bad over the good and as such, these people have left a bad taste in my mouth regarding christians in general.
I won't argue the Torah with you, but consider the following scenario. I go up to you one day and tell you that if you don't start.. watching football, then I'm going to punish you, would you do it? Chances are pretty high you wouldn't. You've never done it before and you see no reason to start now. God sent those prophets down knowing full well that he was going to end up punishing the Egyptians or Romans or what not. (Especially if you keep in mind that god is, in fact, all-knowing) It's an unfair test and he knew it. So how is this something a fair and just and good god should be doing? Another perfect example. One might say all evil stems because in the Garden of Eden, Eve went and ate the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (or whatever it was called.). But before that, God had created this tree and planted it in the Garden of Eden and created Serpents who, apparently, were terrible evil tempters and created a burning sense of curiosity that has plagued men for years. THEN said "Whatever you do, don't do this." Another unfair test.
You bring up Pagan religions. The major difference between Pagan and JCM is that JCM claims their god is all-knowing, just etc.. whereas Pagans never did. Take a look at any theology and you'll see gods as jealous, small-minded and otherwise silly as the people who worshipped them. That's the sort of god I can believe in, one who makes the same sorts of mistakes we do.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2003-09-08 11:05 am (UTC)Admittedly, I don't know too much about the different sects of Christianity.
I'm trying to steer the argument away from stereotypes because I can't argue stereotypes intelligently as I'll sound like an ass.
My argument concerning the followers of CHrist is currently that while I concede that some are good worshippers, my own experiences with Christians has been generally more negative than positive. I know a few good christians but I've been annoyed and harassed, in person and those institution I support by loud, annoying christians.
Maybe it's an unfair fact of humanity, but we tend to remember the bad over the good and as such, these people have left a bad taste in my mouth regarding christians in general.
I won't argue the Torah with you, but consider the following scenario. I go up to you one day and tell you that if you don't start.. watching football, then I'm going to punish you, would you do it?
Chances are pretty high you wouldn't. You've never done it before and you see no reason to start now.
God sent those prophets down knowing full well that he was going to end up punishing the Egyptians or Romans or what not. (Especially if you keep in mind that god is, in fact, all-knowing)
It's an unfair test and he knew it. So how is this something a fair and just and good god should be doing?
Another perfect example.
One might say all evil stems because in the Garden of Eden, Eve went and ate the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (or whatever it was called.).
But before that, God had created this tree and planted it in the Garden of Eden and created Serpents who, apparently, were terrible evil tempters and created a burning sense of curiosity that has plagued men for years.
THEN said "Whatever you do, don't do this."
Another unfair test.
You bring up Pagan religions. The major difference between Pagan and JCM is that JCM claims their god is all-knowing, just etc.. whereas Pagans never did. Take a look at any theology and you'll see gods as jealous, small-minded and otherwise silly as the people who worshipped them. That's the sort of god I can believe in, one who makes the same sorts of mistakes we do.