Saturday, July 18, 2009

Maybe this is the Problem..

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13 comments:

J Curtis said...

Something similar was discussed at a meetup of a philosophy club I belong to that is attended by a variety of people (atheists, agnostics, Christians). Take for example, the judgement of somebody from Western Civilization that had exposure to the gospel numerous times throughout the course of his or her life and they continually rejected that which was presented to then over and over again. In another part of the world, an animist from a rural region who had never heard the Gospel or even the concept of monotheism. Would the two be held to exactly the same standard when facing judgement from a holy and just God?

Ryk said...

@JD
Interesting discussion I would imagine. What was the consensus?

J Curtis said...

What was basically agreed upon by all was that IF God existed and He IS righteous, then whatever judgement meted out in the end would be just. Whatever it would be.

Ryk said...

@JD

I rather suspected, that is the usual destination of such discussions. It is very accommodating and PC but answers nothing except to say that whatever God says is good.

It is for the most part a dodge that doesn't answer the real question. Which is "Is god just?" It only answers what would happen if it were.

J Curtis said...

One of the main problems I encounter when asked, "Is God just?" (or good, or benevolent, etc) is the entire matter of who gets to define the good? Us? Mere finite human beings who are only going to be here for a short blip on the screen on the entire historical timeline? With limited understanding and natures that are far less than perfect, maybe you can agree that God (if he exists) would be held to a different standard than us humans?

Ryk said...

Not at all, if God can not even meet the standards of what humans would call good then it is far to inferior to be called a god. I can not simply say that "it seems horrible and wicked but since I am not a god I'll have to pretend it is just." I have standards and something that could not live up to my standards is unworthy of worship.

Some say it is arrogant to claim man can judge god. I say it is arrogant to imagine a god that man can not judge.

Kerri Love said...

I always found the "To perfect to be able to forgive" a real crock. He's God, but he's not allowed to forgive you for not being perfect???... So basicly, God can't forgive you because you're not a god yourself since only a god could be perfect.

Kerri Love said...

BTW Ryk, what island are you going to in Hawaii? the main island?

Ryk said...

@Kerri
The big Island and I think Maui and Oahu. The schedule isn't final yet bet we will be getting around. I will be working quite a bit but I have at least five days off while there and some short days so it should be fun. I have never been to Hawaii before so I am excited.

Kerri Love said...

I highly recommend a helicopter tour in Oahu, especially one that goes over Pearl Harbour. I got to go there in 2000

There's also a cool chinese restaurant in the Hilton hotel I think. And snorkling at hanama bay is quite cool

Ryk said...

Thanks, I do plan on some snorkeling. My budget allows a little recreation. Not much so I am going to spend most of my time just being a beach bum, but I should be able to squeeze in some fun and stight seeing.

Kerri Love said...

Well that's where you want to do it :) It's a sunken vocanic crater with a reef in it. I took a sub trip near wikiki but there wasn't a whole lot of reef growth on the stuff that was sunk there for it.

J Curtis said...

Awhile back while surfing the net, I came across this article and archivd it ref: existance of evil-suffering. I think it addresses it pretty well.