Keith

No one does what is right...at least not very consistently. We all have a sinful nature which means that we prefer to do what we want to do; not what God wants us to do. Mere intellectual belief in God can provide some people with a motive for trying to do what is right (the fear of hell), but loving God is a far more powerful, more pure motivation which is a clear manifestation of faith.

It is commonly thought by most people that it is possible to do right (good) without reference to God. But this is not possible. The bible says that... "without faith, it is impossible to please God." Jesus repeatedly rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the law for having confidence in their own "righteous" deeds. The Pharisees were often much more interested in following the Jewish laws and observing the proper customs than following God. The "highest good" is done when the motivation is LOVE for God which makes one desire to please God.

Keith

Luiseach

If what you claim is true (and there is no evidence for this, since there is no evidence for the existence of God), then doing 'right' is motivated by love for God. If someone doesn't love God, however, how do you explain their good behaviour? Conversely, if someone does love God, how do you explain their bad behaviour? People who claim to believe in God are capable of evil, just as people who claim not to believe in God are capable of good.

As an atheist, I do good not for love or fear of God (because I don't think God exists)...I do good because it benefits other people and myself. God's existence isn't necessary for one to choose to do the 'right' thing.

[edit to fix grammar]

Shadowy Man

No, that would be sarcasm.

I am just wondering if you think that eating shellfish is immoral.

Viti

Philosoft

Heh. I don't suppose you have a 'dead horse' smiley to go along with that?

Answerer

A being who is arrogant enough to ignore the fact that his actions contradict His self-declared 'compassionate' nature.



Oh is it? The argument can work both ways, you believe it because you don't wish to believe that it is false.

If the bible is clear about God's intention, why are there hundreds of different interpretations of bible whose contents vary from one generation to another?

If your God wish to express himself well to the world, why does He make the bible available(or send Jesus) to the west only for centuries, not the entire world at the same time?

If your God had expressed himself very clearly, why are there christians confessing that they know virtually nothing about your God's character and His goals behind His every actions?


Apparently, it is not.

Keith

Yes. God wants us to do good because we love him, not because we fear him. I also think that when a person knows God, he/she will love him.

Good behaviour is motivated by hundreds of things that do not necessarily (or directly) make reference to God. I'll list just a small sample of motives to do good:

1. Fear of going to hell. (doesn't always entail fear of the Christian God).

2. Fear of the disapproval of friends and loved ones.

3. Love of friends, loved ones.

4. Wanting a raise.

5. Wanting to have sex with someone.

6. Fear of confrontation.

7. Wanting to impress people.

8. A prideful desire to view one's self as a good person.

A great example of a person who loved God and still did some horrible things is King David. As you know, he committed adultry and murder. Loving God is no guarantee of continued obedience by any means. In fact, being a Christian is a constant "war against the flesh." We don't lose our sinful desires just because we love God.

Keith

Keith

What I think is not important. What God thinks is extremely important.

Keith

Keith

Are you the measure of what is and isn't compassionate?

I do believe it's true (and don't believe it's false) because God enabled me to want to see the Truth. No one can find the Truth who doesn't want to find it.

I don't view the fact that there are hundreds of wrong interpretations of God (and the bible) to be God's failure. It is because of sin that humans want to interpret the bible to suit their own desires. Willful blindness is sinful blindness.

I don't see how your opinion about the fairness of where and when Jesus appeared on the earth is important. Mine either, for that matter.

God doesn't need to tell us every detail of his purposes. I certainly don't know much about God's plan and his purposes. What little I do know about God is due to God's goodness and mercy. He has chosen give me to understand what he wants me to understand. That is good enough for me.

Keith

Shadowy Man

I don't care whether you think your thoughts are important or not, I want to know if you think eating shellfish is immoral or not.