Mageth

The only thing I can think of about the serpent being in the garden to tempt Eve is that God wanted it or planned it that way. A&E had apparently been going on happily about their business, naming animals, frolicing with the lions in fields of daisies, and exercising their free will by obeying god and not eating the forbidden fruit. No problem, they have their free will and are in a happy state, with no concern about "good and evil".

So it appears that god either wanted them to eat it, or wanted to turn up the pressure on them to test them a bit, so he let the serpent in (or perhaps he was the serpent). In any case, God carries the bulk of the responsibility for their failing by letting the serpent tempt Eve (for surely he knew the serpent was in the Garden, knew the serpent would tempt Eve, knew Eve would fall for it, and could have prevented it if he so desired, by not letting the serpent in or at a minimum warning A&E about the serpent, which would not have violated their free will).

BadBadBad

Here little Evie. I have two sets of cookies for you. One I baked myself, and they're real special cookies. The other was baked by that bitch Jane down the street. Now go ahead. I want you to choose which ever one you want, and it's real important to me that you choose on your own free will. Oh but if you pick Jane's cookie, see this axe? I'm going to hack your arms off. Then we're going to go to your house to butcher up your mom and your sisters while you watch. So, you go ahead little girl. It's real important to me that you freely make your own choice. Which cookie do you want?

So if she picks Jane's cookie, what does that tell you? Maybe you didn't explain the choice as graphically as I did above. Maybe you're not so nice of a person to offer cookies to little girls on those terms. Not Magus and Sophie. They'd rather presume that God's perfect and original child chose to have her arms hacked off and preferred to go home and watch mommy and the girls get butchered. Evie is a bad bad girl for choosing the wrong cookie. Oh, and Tommie, her brother, He's bad too cause he ate some of Jane's cookie. So, off we go with our bloody axe to see mommy and the girls. How fitting.

Queen of Swords

God : Hmm, I'm bored just watching these people doing jack. I think I'll make a tree that they're not allowed to touch, just so that I can come down on them like a ton of bricks if they do. I mean, there's no other reason for me to put a tree of knowledge in the garden, since it's not like I want them to know the difference between good and evil.

later...

God : Shoot, they're steering clear of the tree. I know, I'll give them another tree, the tree of life. Don't want them to eat from that either, it's just in the garden for show, like the ornamental gnome. Man, I love that little guy.

later...

God : Still nothing. I guess a third tree wouldn't make things any more lively around here. I know! Where's Satan when you need him?

later...

God : Now that's a whole lot better. <pops open a beer> Ooh, look out behind you, Abel! Damn!

Biff the unclean

God: Step right up folks, make way for the little lady
Adam: Hi God, how's it going? Are you out for a walk in the cool of the evening? Oh and speaking of that I've got a little design problem I'd like you to handle. See when it gets cool I sort of... well…shrink, if you know what I mean
God: Never mind that, you're lucky I don't make you cut the end off…never did like the way that looked, graphically speaking.
No, I have a little game for you two
Adam: Not that thing with the pea and the three walnut shells again. That's a nice straw hat and cane you have there by the way.
God: No, this is something new. Thrust me you'll like it
Adam: I didn't like losing my fig leaf over that walnut thing
God: No, no, this is different, this is fun. I call it "Free Will" it's something like three card montey. You get to choose, isn't that cool?
Adam: I suppose. What do I choose?
God: You get to choose good or evil
Adam: Oh, okay. Good or… what did you say the other one was?
God: Evil
Adam: Oh yeah, evil. Ahh, sorry I'm kind of new around here. What's the difference between good and evil? I'm embarrassed to say I don't seem to have that knowledge.
God: You'll find out. But I warn you if you pick evil you'll die
Adam: Die? Gee, here I go again. "Die" means just what? I don't think anything has ever died
God: You'll find out
Adam: Okay, I trust in the Lord. How do we play this game? More walnut shells?
God: No, "Dusty" my boy, this time we use fruit
Adam: What do I get if I win?
God: What do you need?
Adam: Mmmmm, nothing I guess
God: Well then go ahead and pick
Adam: There is that shrinkage thing
God: Pick
Eve: Oh honey, let me pick I feel lucky

Moral: The house always wins

sophie

Amaranth : What you again! I thought I lost you in the last confrontation. What's this bible you are reading? What year was that? God walking on the Earth? Well generally this must point to some exception to the rule, seeing the rule seems to be to not persist as a constant director of the scenes. Don't you agree? My position is not that out of place at all if you think about it. The people generally were in a bad shape, check your bible, this should add up to my position. yeh.

sophie

brettc : It's good to rant some times, it lets the frustration out, so you yourself don't axe the tree. yeh

Biff the unclean

Since you seem not to be able to follow a point I'll be blunt
The Frustration you speak of is with ignorance and cruelty. And with the stupidity shown by those who believe in the barbaric myth of Genesis.

sophie

Biff the unclean : A brief introcuction to ranting!. Since when atheists can make religious points?

Ah, you yourself are frustrated with ignorance and cruelty. This bothers me a lot too.

Yes, many of us decended from barbarians, I must admit. It is difficult to communicate with those who have fixated themselves on a belief or two. You believe they should not believe.

Biff the unclean

Since when atheists can make religious points?
Stupidity, ignorance and stupidity are not solely the playground of the religious. Although to give credit where it is due religion has raised them to an art form. But still you should not mistake them for religious points

Ah, you yourself are frustrated with ignorance and cruelty. This bothers me a lot too.
As well it should since the ignorance and cruelty above mentioned is that express by you and Magus

Yes, many of us decended from barbarians, I must admit.
The problem is not your descent from the barbaric it is your glorification of the barbaric. You should know better. Your moral standards should be higher than those of Genesis.

It is difficult to communicate with those who have fixated themselves on a belief or two. You believe they should not believe.
That's a quote from Hitler, isn't it? On why people shouldn't think poorly of Nazis

sophie

That's what happens when you mix people and omniGOD.

I have only argued one point thus far, and it was in the cause for Justice.

I have neither glorified the barbaric nor claimed to have known better.

Possibly, it may have stuck in my brain after I read parts of Mein Kampf, and the rise and fall of the third reich.