Is GOD the blame?

2

Comments

  • DennisR
    DennisR Member Posts: 148
    Hondo said:

    He / She
    I have heard of this before, believe it or not you might be more correct then you think. The Bible does not give us any aspect of Gods gender just that Man and Women were created in the Image of God. Sometimes words are used as a metaphor of something that we don’t understand as it is hard to understand something with out a common frame of reference.

    Thanks for your post

    Hondo,
    Religious people tend

    Hondo,
    Religious people tend to believe that the Bible, in spite of all of it's various interpretations, is the infallible last word in all matters and represents the infinite Will and Wisdom of the Lord for all of Mankind....it is WE who are not infallible and it's our interpretations and metaphors that seem to come into conflict more often than not.
    Non Believers tend to bring the same interpretations and metaphors to the table as believers, but in an opposing point of view.
    Non Believers ask, "If there IS a God....why doesn't He come down here and Prove it to ME", Believers say, "He Has, you just refuse to accept it".
    For me, I guess, IF God does indeed strike a little Lightening once in a while to prove a point..the last thing I want is for Him to come down and prove it to ME.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    DennisR said:

    Hondo,
    Religious people tend

    Hondo,
    Religious people tend to believe that the Bible, in spite of all of it's various interpretations, is the infallible last word in all matters and represents the infinite Will and Wisdom of the Lord for all of Mankind....it is WE who are not infallible and it's our interpretations and metaphors that seem to come into conflict more often than not.
    Non Believers tend to bring the same interpretations and metaphors to the table as believers, but in an opposing point of view.
    Non Believers ask, "If there IS a God....why doesn't He come down here and Prove it to ME", Believers say, "He Has, you just refuse to accept it".
    For me, I guess, IF God does indeed strike a little Lightening once in a while to prove a point..the last thing I want is for Him to come down and prove it to ME.

    Infallibility
    I agree the infallibility is in His Word from cover to cover. Our problem is that preachers and religious leader want to tell there congregation what the Bible means. I heard a preachers saying that you can’t understand the book of Revelation but yet the very word itself mean a Revealing. God wants to make known to us what is coming upon this would so that when we see it coming we will have faith in Him. I find that the Bible does a very good job of explaining itself with our any man made interpretation or metaphors.

    Like you said if God did want to through a little lighting I sure don’t want to get in the way


    Very good point my friend
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    DennisR said:

    Hondo,
    Religious people tend

    Hondo,
    Religious people tend to believe that the Bible, in spite of all of it's various interpretations, is the infallible last word in all matters and represents the infinite Will and Wisdom of the Lord for all of Mankind....it is WE who are not infallible and it's our interpretations and metaphors that seem to come into conflict more often than not.
    Non Believers tend to bring the same interpretations and metaphors to the table as believers, but in an opposing point of view.
    Non Believers ask, "If there IS a God....why doesn't He come down here and Prove it to ME", Believers say, "He Has, you just refuse to accept it".
    For me, I guess, IF God does indeed strike a little Lightening once in a while to prove a point..the last thing I want is for Him to come down and prove it to ME.

    Non-Believers
    Some Non-Believers just don't believe it and do not need proof of anything. Just like a believer can not be swayed by "proof" the same holds true the other way I think. If one does not believe it is sometimes just that simple.

    It really comes down to two schools of thought that believe what they believe and that is that. Of course, there are always exceptions to every statement...
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    PhillieG said:

    Non-Believers
    Some Non-Believers just don't believe it and do not need proof of anything. Just like a believer can not be swayed by "proof" the same holds true the other way I think. If one does not believe it is sometimes just that simple.

    It really comes down to two schools of thought that believe what they believe and that is that. Of course, there are always exceptions to every statement...

    Choice

    It is better interpreted as Freedom choice of I would think

    Good point
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    Hondo said:

    Choice

    It is better interpreted as Freedom choice of I would think

    Good point

    Most Qu'ran's or at least

    Most Qu'ran's or at least those that are translated into English indicate in the introduction that 'each generation must translate the Qu'ran in the light of it's own experience and knowledge'.

    While we can discuss interpretations of the Qu'ran or the Bible do we have the right to make another right or wrong for his or her interpretations of these scriptures?

    I do find it is something deeply personal especially when the translation is based in part on ones own personal experience with God. It really encourages one to seek ones own experience with God rather than be told what it 'should' be.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member

    Most Qu'ran's or at least

    Most Qu'ran's or at least those that are translated into English indicate in the introduction that 'each generation must translate the Qu'ran in the light of it's own experience and knowledge'.

    While we can discuss interpretations of the Qu'ran or the Bible do we have the right to make another right or wrong for his or her interpretations of these scriptures?

    I do find it is something deeply personal especially when the translation is based in part on ones own personal experience with God. It really encourages one to seek ones own experience with God rather than be told what it 'should' be.

    That's great!
    "Most Qu'ran's or at least those that are translated into English indicate in the introduction that 'each generation must translate the Qu'ran in the light of it's own experience and knowledge'."

    That's so great. I think that texts that were written thousands of years ago do not hold the same relevance in today's world at all. Some of it does, but much of it does not (IMO)

    "While we can discuss interpretations of the Qu'ran or the Bible do we have the right to make another right or wrong for his or her interpretations of these scriptures?"
    I think that things that are open to interpretation are just waiting for conflicting views to happen. That's possibly why I tend to look toward science for my answers to things that others find in their "holy" books.

    "I do find it is something deeply personal especially when the translation is based in part on ones own personal experience with God. It really encourages one to seek ones own experience with God rather than be told what it 'should' be."
    I think it's FANTASTIC!
    -p
  • lcarper2
    lcarper2 Member Posts: 635 Member
    PhillieG said:

    That's great!
    "Most Qu'ran's or at least those that are translated into English indicate in the introduction that 'each generation must translate the Qu'ran in the light of it's own experience and knowledge'."

    That's so great. I think that texts that were written thousands of years ago do not hold the same relevance in today's world at all. Some of it does, but much of it does not (IMO)

    "While we can discuss interpretations of the Qu'ran or the Bible do we have the right to make another right or wrong for his or her interpretations of these scriptures?"
    I think that things that are open to interpretation are just waiting for conflicting views to happen. That's possibly why I tend to look toward science for my answers to things that others find in their "holy" books.

    "I do find it is something deeply personal especially when the translation is based in part on ones own personal experience with God. It really encourages one to seek ones own experience with God rather than be told what it 'should' be."
    I think it's FANTASTIC!
    -p

    ACT OF GOD
    That referrs to something mortal man has no control over . We can't prevent herricanes or lightening it doesn't mean God did it.It is just another way to mess with our heads...God doesn't do bad things to us. Satan gave us cancer God heals us...I for one am glad I believe in the healing powers of my God...
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    lcarper2 said:

    ACT OF GOD
    That referrs to something mortal man has no control over . We can't prevent herricanes or lightening it doesn't mean God did it.It is just another way to mess with our heads...God doesn't do bad things to us. Satan gave us cancer God heals us...I for one am glad I believe in the healing powers of my God...

    Please
    Explain Abraham. Explain Job. Or did you not get to those stories in your obviously copious study of the bible?

    If you would actually read the bible, you would notice that, beginning at the very beginning, god does bad things to EVERYBODY. Not so you would notice, of course, if you didn't choose to actually read the bible.

    Geez.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    "An Act of God"
    To me the phrase is used far too flippantly, so much so that should something truly be An Act of God we probably would not realize it. I do not believe God or Satan gave me cancer, Epilepsy (good thing I live now and not when they thought Epileptics were witches or demon possessed)Lyphedema or any of the other things that are not so pleasant about me (yes there are plenty of other unpleasant things about me). I tend to think it is what it is and we just need to deal with it, we all have our crosses to bear so to speak.

    RE
  • Emilyfimily
    Emilyfimily Member Posts: 141
    RE said:

    "An Act of God"
    To me the phrase is used far too flippantly, so much so that should something truly be An Act of God we probably would not realize it. I do not believe God or Satan gave me cancer, Epilepsy (good thing I live now and not when they thought Epileptics were witches or demon possessed)Lyphedema or any of the other things that are not so pleasant about me (yes there are plenty of other unpleasant things about me). I tend to think it is what it is and we just need to deal with it, we all have our crosses to bear so to speak.

    RE

    I don't believe God *makes*
    I don't believe God *makes* bad things happen, but I believe God *allows* them to happen when He knows it will teach us something or make us stronger or help something good happen along the way that's in His big master plan - even if the good thing that happens because of it's not necessarily to us, but maybe to someone else. I believe He cries along with us when we're hurting, and probably wishes we'd have more faith in Him that he's allowing this stuff to happen for a reason, and whatever reason that is is probably way more important than me whining about blowing chunks on my toilet every 3 weeks. So I try to think of it that way. I don't know why God allowed cancer to attack me, but I do know that I'm learning a lot about myself through cancer, I'm learning to be tough as nails, I'm learning what's really important, and I'm learning how many people love and support me. And my husband and I were already super close, but it's becoming so much deeper in a way I can't even put into words. Etcetera.
  • lcarper2
    lcarper2 Member Posts: 635 Member

    Please
    Explain Abraham. Explain Job. Or did you not get to those stories in your obviously copious study of the bible?

    If you would actually read the bible, you would notice that, beginning at the very beginning, god does bad things to EVERYBODY. Not so you would notice, of course, if you didn't choose to actually read the bible.

    Geez.

    PLEASE
    well I do read the bible and john 3:16 says it all. In the old testament God did bad things but in the new testament after the cross became empty he doesn't have to do bad things to us we do them our selves through sin...and I will never believe that God gives anyone cancer he allows us to get it.
  • I don't believe God *makes*
    I don't believe God *makes* bad things happen, but I believe God *allows* them to happen when He knows it will teach us something or make us stronger or help something good happen along the way that's in His big master plan - even if the good thing that happens because of it's not necessarily to us, but maybe to someone else. I believe He cries along with us when we're hurting, and probably wishes we'd have more faith in Him that he's allowing this stuff to happen for a reason, and whatever reason that is is probably way more important than me whining about blowing chunks on my toilet every 3 weeks. So I try to think of it that way. I don't know why God allowed cancer to attack me, but I do know that I'm learning a lot about myself through cancer, I'm learning to be tough as nails, I'm learning what's really important, and I'm learning how many people love and support me. And my husband and I were already super close, but it's becoming so much deeper in a way I can't even put into words. Etcetera.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member

    Please
    Explain Abraham. Explain Job. Or did you not get to those stories in your obviously copious study of the bible?

    If you would actually read the bible, you would notice that, beginning at the very beginning, god does bad things to EVERYBODY. Not so you would notice, of course, if you didn't choose to actually read the bible.

    Geez.

    Sometimes you can’t read you need to study the subject, God did not cause any evil or harm to Job. Satan accused God of building a hedge around Job and that was the only reason why Job served God. To prove the point God allowed Satan to afflict Job only to prove that God knew his servant Job better then Satan.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Gracie
    Are you familiar with Joseph Campbell at all? He did a TV show on PBS with Bill Moyers called "The Power of Myth". They rerun it sometimes plus it's out in book form too. He talks about many different faiths and the universal themes that run through them. It's very good in my opinion.

    I consider myself an agnostic but I relate the closest to the Native American outlook on life I feel. We are lucky to have Nature and Mother Earth but what we mostly do is abuse her. The didn't waste like we do. Yes, they fought amongst other groups. They ARE human after all. I wonder how many of their wars were based on a difference in faith and how many were just over greed.

    Sounds like a challenging upbringing. I just had to deal with Nuns.
    I enjoy your posts Gracie.
    -phil
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691

    I don't believe God *makes*
    I don't believe God *makes* bad things happen, but I believe God *allows* them to happen when He knows it will teach us something or make us stronger or help something good happen along the way that's in His big master plan - even if the good thing that happens because of it's not necessarily to us, but maybe to someone else. I believe He cries along with us when we're hurting, and probably wishes we'd have more faith in Him that he's allowing this stuff to happen for a reason, and whatever reason that is is probably way more important than me whining about blowing chunks on my toilet every 3 weeks. So I try to think of it that way. I don't know why God allowed cancer to attack me, but I do know that I'm learning a lot about myself through cancer, I'm learning to be tough as nails, I'm learning what's really important, and I'm learning how many people love and support me. And my husband and I were already super close, but it's becoming so much deeper in a way I can't even put into words. Etcetera.

    Seems to be an awful amount

    Seems to be an awful amount of duality here, good and bad, right and wrong .... what if there is no right or wrong or good or bad and nothing to blame? Why does anything need to be blamed for what happens? Isn't it just the nature of reality and God is reality?

    If we say something is bad then we experience it in an unpleasant way. Similarly if we say something is good then it alters our experience of it. However if we do not label something as good or bad then our experience of it is not altered and we have a very naked experience, we experience reality more fully hence we experience God more fully.
  • Seems to be an awful amount

    Seems to be an awful amount of duality here, good and bad, right and wrong .... what if there is no right or wrong or good or bad and nothing to blame? Why does anything need to be blamed for what happens? Isn't it just the nature of reality and God is reality?

    If we say something is bad then we experience it in an unpleasant way. Similarly if we say something is good then it alters our experience of it. However if we do not label something as good or bad then our experience of it is not altered and we have a very naked experience, we experience reality more fully hence we experience God more fully.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729

    Seems to be an awful amount

    Seems to be an awful amount of duality here, good and bad, right and wrong .... what if there is no right or wrong or good or bad and nothing to blame? Why does anything need to be blamed for what happens? Isn't it just the nature of reality and God is reality?

    If we say something is bad then we experience it in an unpleasant way. Similarly if we say something is good then it alters our experience of it. However if we do not label something as good or bad then our experience of it is not altered and we have a very naked experience, we experience reality more fully hence we experience God more fully.

    I think I understand what
    I think I understand what mariam is saying. Sometimes we 'label' things right or wrong or good or bad when it depends on where you are standing and experiences in life. The same issue could be labeled both ways. Sometimes you change your mind also after learning more. Everything isn't black or white. There is a lot of shades of gray.
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    Who created...
    the earthquake and the lightning? If it's an act of nature, who created nature. It seems as though it all goes back to one source. I don't think it's necessarily good or bad - it is what it is. I don't think lightning striking an object or an earthquake occurring is bad. Had it not been for lightning, electricity would not have been discovered. Insurance is a totally different issue. I love a good lightning storm - it reminds me of how wonderful the earth is.
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    lcarper2 said:

    ACT OF GOD
    That referrs to something mortal man has no control over . We can't prevent herricanes or lightening it doesn't mean God did it.It is just another way to mess with our heads...God doesn't do bad things to us. Satan gave us cancer God heals us...I for one am glad I believe in the healing powers of my God...

    So who did create lightning???
    Granted, we cannot prevent them but as acts of nature, and if you believe in God then you know that he created All. Lightning and hurricanes are not bad in the scheme of things. There are a part of nature, which God created. With the bad comes the good and vice versa and God creates all - or he doesn't. Pretty simple, actually.
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    dasspears said:

    Who created...
    the earthquake and the lightning? If it's an act of nature, who created nature. It seems as though it all goes back to one source. I don't think it's necessarily good or bad - it is what it is. I don't think lightning striking an object or an earthquake occurring is bad. Had it not been for lightning, electricity would not have been discovered. Insurance is a totally different issue. I love a good lightning storm - it reminds me of how wonderful the earth is.

    I read or got it in my head
    I read or got it in my head somewhere that lightning cleans the air with the static charge. Sometimes it just gets out of hand and hits down and we get in the way.

    I thought earthquakes were just the surface moving (the plates). What would happen if they didn't? I'll have to see if I can find that out.