Please, sir...do explain.

Was it the purported tone? That didn't come until after EHI responded to my post. He asked a question, I answered, and he apparently couldn't handle the answer. So he lashed out the only way he could: by accusing me of stating opinion as fact, and accusing me of trying to "spread" my message. It was clearly MY opinion, but just to be "fair", I clarified that it was my opinion, and not a statement of fact, with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure. You're probably the most sarcastic poster on these boards, so I don't know what your deal is.

Calling them as I read them! and I guess the truth hurts those who finally hear it.

Or is this against the rules? truth telling that is.

Gee SC, And I thought I was one of your favorites!

The board has very capable moderators. I'm not sure why some constantly feel the need to jump in the middle of every two members' argument and call it, like some kind of wannabe moderators.

Ah, the old atheist argument of "God either doesn't care or He's too powerless to do anything about it." Of course, they come to this conclusion because they start off all wrong.

God is neither uncaring or powerless. But we all knew, as did He, that suffering, including atrocities such as the Holocaust, would be a part of our mortal lives in this fallen world. He knew that some would use their free agency for good and others for evil. This life is both a learning experience and a testing ground.

Ultimately it's up to Him when "enough is enough." And the fact that His Son's suffering exceeded the combined suffering of all human beings, on this earth and all earths created by His power, gives Him the moral right to say this a good plan.



God has certainly shown Himself to select people at given times throughout history. However, while the ancient Israelites witnessed manifestations of His power (the parting of the Red Sea, the water from the rock, manna, etc.), only Moses and some others actually saw God.

Of course, the earthly advent of the Son of God was a unique event. But don't assume He hasn't shown Himself since then.

You're essentially like Thomas, the doubting apostle, who said that he would never believe Christ had risen from the grave and appeared to man unless he could see Him for himself, feel the prints of the nails in his hands and feet, and thrust his hand into His side. Jesus, of course, did appear to Thomas shortly thereafter; to which Thomas said, "My Lord and my God." Christ's response was, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

One person "discussion" seems to be another persons "debate" which seem to be anothers persons "argument" I guess.

Tuff time to figure which one you are in sometimes.

and just like "God" "Allah" or "Buda" things are always in the eye of the believer/ non-believer/ or poster sometimes...

1) Theological question: Why is it that Christians assume that the God they believe in is omnibenevolent?
Is there any hint in the New Testament?

2) (this question is, I guess, less theological, more personal) Would it diminish the belief if God was not omnibenevolent but just a creator and looks at what happens to his creation?

Discussing religion and politics always causes hassle and bother. That's why i generally stay away from such topics. If somebody has a belief in religion, they are not going to stop just because somebody else tells them they are wrong??

Live and let live, everybody has different opinions and beliefs don't they?

The ban wasn't neccessary.

Well now he's dead and nothing can bring him back. So you gotta talk to FS. You gotta talk to the other caporegimes. Its good business.

Differences are differences, especially when it comes to religion and politics. The distinction between the person who got banned and others who do not is that what happens on these boards is business, its not personal. When you get personal, eventually you get banned.

I strongly disagree with almost everything Mignon says about politics, but I have nothing but respect for Mignon. Same for Fatherson. Even if I make a wisecrack it is not about them personally, and they treat me the same way. I am sure my views infuriate them, but to my knowledge neither of them has ever come after me personally. These disagreements never get in the way of wishing one another a happy birthday, or giving kudos for some number of posts attained, and the like any more than it interferes with personal contact with more like minded people like Oli or PB.

The individual in question got a number of warning but would not quit.

Aw, give FS a break, SC. He just misses his guns is all .

And now the US Supreme Court has agreed not to touch the changes New York made with gun laws. Maybe there IS a God!

At the end of the day, I respect everyone's right to believe whatever they wanna believe. For me, however, blind faith simply isn't enough. In my mind, the God that Christians worship cannot exist given the way things are. Again, that is just how I see things.

That's fair enough, but why are you singling out the "God that Christians worship"?

What about the Jews (possibly a bad example because I FIRMLY believe that Jews and Christians worship the same God), or the Muslims, or the Hindus, or the Moonies, or whoever?

That is a fair question, and it is probably unfair that I have singled out Christianity in most of my posts and examples. I suppose it's because I am more familiar with Christianity than Islam, Judaism, or any other faith. But my reasoning extends to other faiths as well.

One thing I will reiterate is that I am agnostic, not atheist, which means I am open to the idea that God may indeed exist. But at this point in my life, there are too many things I can't accept in order to believe.

Hopefully that cleared up any confusion!

That's something that is almost never stated. We Americans are hughly more familiar with Christianity than any other religion even Judaism. Thus, we are able to legitimately discuss and comment on what we know.

That brings to mind a recent accusation by Sean Hannity that SNL was not fair and balanced because its skit about Jesus was not mirrored with a skit about Mohammed.

Wisely spoken.

Well, for starters, you know all those signs you see at football games and other public events? The John 3:16 ones.



It certainly would for me. In LDS theology, God isn't just our creator. And He isn't just our "Father" in a some kind of symbolic sense. He is literally the Father of our spirits. And we lived with Him for ages before we came to this earth. And Jesus (known as Jehovah) was the first born of these spirit children of God. So, we see God caring for mankind on this earth as a father would care for his children.

DT, that is very kind of you to say. That is the difference between posters being able to disagree and still show RESPECT for one another and posters not doing that. Some people post at an adult level and show maturity others post at a childish level.

I think that many people confuse God and religion. You can believe in God, but have doubts about a religion. The two don't necessarily go hand-in-hand, although to many they do.

I more or less think that religion and god's were created by people to control other people and put order in everything back then. Such as if people were afraid of not getting into heaven, they wouldn't chop each other's heads off.

I could believe in God, but not religion. Religion is kind of the thing I don't accept at all. Starting from the things that they force people to do things and ending with pedophile priests and other priests covering them up.

If religion wants to attract people it should be modernized and fair to everyone.

It's not like they "force" you. If you try to be religious and then decide you don't agree with its principles, you can walk out and nobody will stop you. It's not like the mafia where you can leave only when you die. I always got it that, according to Christianity, if you are a good person but are not a follower of God, it's not like you automatically end up in hell just because you don't believe. What matters is being a good person. This view is shared by all other Christians I personally know.
And why always this talk about pedophile priests, as if pedophilia was monopolized by the church? I mean, there are scumbags in any social group, if you find a pedophile football player, does this mean all football players are bad?

Well said. There is a huge difference between believing in God and following a religion.

Here's how you tell the difference: People who are interested in the subject of God will have philosophical discussions. People who run religions are always making you feel guilty and asking you for money.

Well, if you watch TBN and a few other networks, the money part of your statement seems to be true.

Monsignor always used to joke that Palm Sunday was the most well-attended day because people feel that they're getting something for nothing.

I'm not sure

think I will start believing in hundreds of gods... like the Hindus.

Hey nowadays you can get a light brunch every week..,usic,.a piece of bread, a sip of wine....all for a dollar in the collection plate.

Thew question shouldn't be whether we believe in God, but whether God believes in us.