ManM

It's simply the difference between those who look for meaning and those who believe things are meaningless. :huh:

Biff the unclean

This has been standard religious fare since the days of the caveman witch doctors.
Something good happens…it’s God’s doing … give me money to thank Him.
Something bad happens…it’s your fault… give me money to appease God.
That’s how this con job works. There’s no way for the witch doctor/minister to lose. Good times or bad the money comes in.

Biff the unclean

Except that comes out as it's either a meaningless act of nature with no intent behind it...or....God is a monster.

Cities destroyed, thousands dead...there's your meaning. You worship an evil monster.
Your belief doesn't really sound like something any decent person would be proud of.

Or would you prefer to blame the victims?

PaperCut

Believing that God uses hurricanes to punish people, would support theory of evolution.

I've heard creationists argue that evolution is a very "cruel and wasteful" way for God to create life. That's true, evolution is cruel and wasteful.

But look how God allegedly punishes sin. Saint and Sinner are killed together, entire cities are destroyed to punish sinners. This is definitely a wasteful and cruel way to exercise one's will.

If God kills in wasteful and cruel ways then he probably creates in the manner.

But of course, there is always that other pesky explanation, there is no god, natural disasters and evolution are just product of a mindless nature.


P.

Buffman

Fortunately for all of us, some people look for meanings using facts rather than fictions.

ecco

On CNN just now they asked a Southern Baptist minister (quoting loosely): “What do you say to people who ask why god would cause such destruction?�?

His answer (quoting loosely): “It is not wrong or a sin to question god – questions like this can only bring people closer to god – for people who have lost everything, there is no place to turn but to god – BS etc. BS etc.�?

So at least on CNN this one minister ducked the “WHY�?question entirely. It’s too bad that CNN doesn’t have the balls to get live interviews with some of the more fundemental preachers quoted in the OP.

ManM

False dichotomy. God could be acting as a utilitarian. We've been through it before, and I don't feel like reproducing old threads. Some people have the courage to get their hands bloody for the greater good. That strength of courage is something you obviously don't understand.

Buffman

Would you mind explaining that remark for me. Perhaps a few examples.

braces_for_impact

But they aren't bloodying their hands for the greater good, but for faith. In this case, it's faith that god exists, has a plan, and that it's for the greater good. Since you have no evidence this is the case, you're hoping that people are suffering and dying for a good cause. Getting blood on your hands for faith is dangerous and despicable.

Neo-Nietzschean

This is pure fantasy!! What evidence do you have that suggest Gawd is acting in an Utilitarian fashion. Where in the Bible or whatever "holy" book, does it say that Gawd is an Utilitarian? Theodicy would be laughable if it weren't for the very sad fact that so many people engage in it. You're Utilitarianist notion is repellant! :down: