christ-on-a-stick

I think my Irony Meter just spontaneously combusted...

Ronin

I cannot emphasize this enough for any theist ~

If there was an all-powerful and all loving Deity, it would have made all good and no bad, free will and batteries included, without the need for mafia rule and tactics.

To recognize that the natural universe has neither favor for our species, nor bias against it, is observable in every moment...wizards and sky-fairies are not.

No amount of emotional testimonials otherwise will alter this reality.

You decide which view holds more personal integrity, dignity, worth, accountability and self-realization and live your life to the fullest.

GrandDesigner

You decide which view holds more personal integrity, dignity, worth, accountability and self-realization and live your life to the fullest.

Good.

If there was an all-powerful and all loving Deity, it would have made all good and no bad, free will and batteries included, without the need for mafia rule and tactics.

If you were God, maybe you'd attempt running a Universe like that. But you'd be surprised at how many people, in that Universe, would whine because there's not enough variety. Oi!

And claiming you can be responsible for all your sins is wishful thinking at best, and arrogance at worst.

And I'll add to that...that on some occations, you can truly learn ...especially to admit being wrong at times. Being humbled indeed.

No amount of emotional testimonials otherwise will alter this reality.

The only thing that can alter this or any reality is your own perception. Gain control of it. Let the good times roll.

All you see is randomness--no sign of "God's will" at all.

At some time, you will see nothing is random at all.

Grand Ol Designer

Biff the unclean

At some time, you will see nothing is random at all.

Okay, I'll ask for a third time.

Show us the pattern.

Show us the pattern in answered prayers. If they are only answered in accordance with God's will then there must be a pattern.
People have prayed to Jesus millions of times over thousands of years. If prayers are being answered or rejected according to some criteria, as you claim, a clear pattern would have emerged. Where is it?
:banghead:

Debbie T

God did not answer the little girl's prayers, ignored her pleas and cries for help. No, god does not help those who ask for help and this case shows there is no god to help the little ones.

Ronin

Good.

What universe, what people?

I said there would be all good.

hmmmmm...you seem to have neglected to address this beauty, Grand ol'.

sakrilege

From the OP This is the pattern of answered prayers that I see. Not a good track record for a god that is all powerful IMO.

Radorth

I have, and I wouldn't trade my life of self-realization for yours, I'm sure. When you read a book like The Road Less Traveled which deals almost exclusively with such matters, and find Christ at the end of the road, you will know what I mean. When you try every self-help philosophy and religion, and find none which can let you be completely honest with yourself and still find complete forgiveness and freedom from guilt, you will know what I mean. But skeptics by and large won't even read books which shine much of a light into their hearts. In fact a few have denounced such works out of hand, while preaching integrity and personal responsibility as if these may be gained at age 25 from thin air.

I just pointed out a blatant contradiction in Scombrid's assertions, but yes, do decide which view holds more personal integrity and dignity and leads to true self-realization. God is not asking us to give up any of these (though some churches might) but rather he is asking us to look at the logs in our own eyes, to admit our own hypocrisy and guilt and to unload our own baggage. That is the price of freedom from them, which few are willing to pay IMO. But the approach here is so often to just pretend they don't exist or that we are above all that and unlike any generation before us, can save the world by preaching the power of faith in self.

Rad

Radorth

God knows I am the incarnation of weakness. The trouble is, I do not know it.

Nee, in The Normal Christian Life

Radorth

"We skeptics think for ourselves, but a good God would have made us so we could not. We are free agents and take personal responsibility for our mistakes, but if God exists, we don't have to because he let us choose evil."

Are my ears working?

Rad