Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ToMeK · 03-07-2005, 05:34 AM

In a recent Fee Inquiry article, Guy P Harrison asks this question. He asks why is there no believers who accept the idea of a god but are against the gods of the main religions. I know tehre may be but none are speaking out. How many theologians have written anti-god books?

Here is a little quote:

Quote:

Most Christians are probably good people with a reasonable gTasp of right and wrong. They know, for example, that it is wrong to kill children. ("At midnight the Lord struck down all the first-born of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of Uio prisoner who was in the dungeon . . . there was a loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead" [Exodus 12:29, New International Version].) They also are likely to agree that it is wrong to punish children for the crimes of their fathers. ("He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation" [Exodus 34:7, NIV].) But they are loyal to a god who has done these things.

Why aren't millions of believers saying, "Yes, I know there is a God because the universe is intelligently designed, and I believe that the [Bible, Koran, or Torah] describes him accurately. Based on the actions of this god, however, I cannot follow or worship him because I am a decent human being."

My emphasis

Guy P Harrison. Free Inquiry. Buffalo: Dec 2004/Jan 2005.Vol.25, Iss. 1; pg. 49, 2 pgs

Is it so hard for a believer to simply condemm their god for killing entire cities, children, sons for their fathers sins etc? Is it so hard to condemm Jesus for his views on non-believers?

It is still possible to ackowledge teh wonderful morals that Chrsitianity puts forward in many cases. its simply a matter of intellectual honesty and ackowledgment of the bad morals taht are also presented.

Many have accepted punishment, torture and death in order to defy some evil oppresor so why is it so hard to defy a god which is clearly not being a very moral character?

Tomek

seebs · 03-07-2005, 09:59 AM

I don't necessarily think God is to blame for everything people want to say He told them to do.

I do, in fact, think that the genocides as described sound very wrong.

BTW, you might be interested in looking up the word "demiurge", which is directly on point.

ToMeK · 03-07-2005, 03:56 PM

Its not all about blaming. Sure, when he killed all thsoe egyptian children he is to blame. Whenevr he caused some disatster or smited somebody he is to blame.

When it comes to telling people to kill homosexuals, disobedient children, don't let women speak at church and many other such commands being an all-powerful creator he should be held at least partially responsible.

In any case, people would rather brn a witch than face teh wratch of god if they actaully believe there is such a thing.

The point is taht the God of the bible causes and promotes a lot of violence. hence, a decent human being should not glorify such a concept.

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03-07-2005, 09:59 AM	#2
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	I don't necessarily think God is to blame for everything people want to say He told them to do. I do, in fact, think that the genocides as described sound very wrong. BTW, you might be interested in looking up the word "demiurge", which is directly on point.

03-07-2005, 03:56 PM	#3
ToMeK Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 372	Its not all about blaming. Sure, when he killed all thsoe egyptian children he is to blame. Whenevr he caused some disatster or smited somebody he is to blame. When it comes to telling people to kill homosexuals, disobedient children, don't let women speak at church and many other such commands being an all-powerful creator he should be held at least partially responsible. In any case, people would rather brn a witch than face teh wratch of god if they actaully believe there is such a thing. The point is taht the God of the bible causes and promotes a lot of violence. hence, a decent human being should not glorify such a concept.

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