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'God works in mysterious ways' 'We dont know why God does certain things, he is God, who are we to question Him?'
I have noticed that whenever a thorny question arises about God, such as why does He allow a child to suffer years of abuse which leaves them damaged for life, these answers are trotted out, with more than a hint of, 'How dare you question God!'
Surely these are questions any rational, reasonable, intelligent person has a right to an answer to, not just a pat on the head from God, saying we dont understand all his ways.
He is supposed to have given us this brain to question, to think, to reason. Then He tells us not to question, to just believe, no matter how strange some of the things He says or does. That reminds me of some charismatic human leaders who have said the same thing and led their followers to their deaths.
We must question. We must reason. We have a right to answers. Of course, if there were a God of love, justice, wisdom and empathy for the human race, He would know that, because we were created in His image with the same qualities.... otherwise its just cruelty, isnt it, denying us knowledge?
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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There is an interesting Islamic concept which covers this topic, called wahy. It basically means collective intelligence/ God's inspiration/ what in animals would be called instinct. I think in Islam it also has something to do with prophecy.
An example of wahy would be a spider, with a brain the size of a pin head, being able to sew an intricate web of silk which is stronger than steel; a feat which man kind still can't replicate. Other examples would be really 'stupid' animals, salmon & birds, being able to migrate thousands of miles as if guided by a GPS system
I don't want to drift off topic but the comment about birds being able to navigate made me think of the carrier pigeon. They have actually been blindfolded and had tiny magnets attached to their heads to confuse any magnetic guidance they might have inside their skulls and they can still fly home. They have an even stronger homing instinct than a drunken Irishman! My ancestry is mostly Irish by the way.
Location: land of quail, bunnies, and red tail hawks
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What is the most interesting way to learn? Do you prefer your answers handed to you on a silver platter, or do you like discovering things for yourself? Which way is more rewarding? From which method do you learn the most?
The Bible states that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory/honor of kings to search out a matter. It also promises that those who earnestly seek will find.
Perhaps the problem is that non-believers are asking Christians the questions that should be asked of God. To get God's answer, one must read the book He has given to mankind. I firmly believe the answer to your questions are placed in the Bible. Are you willing to search them out for yourself? Or are you willing to let others do your thinking for you?
Last edited by Blueberry; 03-04-2008 at 06:29 PM..
There is an interesting Islamic concept which covers this topic, called wahy. It basically means collective intelligence/ God's inspiration/ what in animals would be called instinct. I think in Islam it also has something to do with prophecy.
An example of wahy would be a spider, with a brain the size of a pin head, being able to sew an intricate web of silk which is stronger than steel; a feat which man kind still can't replicate. Other examples would be really 'stupid' animals, salmon & birds, being able to migrate thousands of miles as if guided by a GPS system
Spider's silk's strength depends on various factors, and the other animals migration patterns can easily be explained without religious dogma.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueberry
I firmly believe the answer to your questions are placed in the Bible. Are you willing to search them out for yourself? Or are you willing to let others do your thinking for you?
If the answers are in the Bible, why haven't they been found?
Location: land of quail, bunnies, and red tail hawks
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieter
If the answers are in the Bible, why haven't they been found?
Have YOU looked? Do you know God? If you don't know God, you won't recognize His voice no matter how many times you look in the Bible. Those who earnestly seek are those who find the answers, and the first thing a seeker will find is God. Then, He will start revealing the answers to your questions. The answer that satisfies ME is probably not the answer that will satisfy YOU. That is why you need to do your own seeking.
'God works in mysterious ways' 'We dont know why God does certain things, he is God, who are we to question Him?'
I have noticed that whenever a thorny question arises about God, such as why does He allow a child to suffer years of abuse which leaves them damaged for life, these answers are trotted out, with more than a hint of, 'How dare you question God!'
Surely these are questions any rational, reasonable, intelligent person has a right to an answer to, not just a pat on the head from God, saying we dont understand all his ways.
He is supposed to have given us this brain to question, to think, to reason. Then He tells us not to question, to just believe, no matter how strange some of the things He says or does. That reminds me of some charismatic human leaders who have said the same thing and led their followers to their deaths.
We must question. We must reason. We have a right to answers. Of course, if there were a God of love, justice, wisdom and empathy for the human race, He would know that, because we were created in His image with the same qualities.... otherwise its just cruelty, isnt it, denying us knowledge?
God doesn't say not to question, man does. God says prove all things...
Ask, Seek, Knock...
All that God has is ours, we are too lazy to seek out the answers, too impatient and materialistic to discover the kingdom within. Powerless parrots on rotating blue planet.
The problem is man is asking man for answers that God only has, and to those that seek Him first, He shares the answers.
If you want to know what God thinks, get to know Him. If you want to blame weak man for not being able too, then you'll have to shoulder some of the responsibility, because unless you ask the right one, you'll never know.
Who said life was going to be easy? Neither God nor the bible. I believe there is a compassionate God and there is true evil. Child abuse is true evil. Its not of God's will but brought upon us by us.
Kids and cancer, two words that should not be in the same sentence. But God will this to happen.
One thing I have learned is that NO situation can be 100% good or 100% evil. Strange but true.
What is the most interesting way to learn? Do you prefer your answers handed to you on a silver platter, or do you like discovering things for yourself? Which way is more rewarding? From which method do you learn the most?
The Bible states that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory/honor of kings to search out a matter. It also promises that those who earnestly seek will find.
Perhaps the problem is that non-believers are asking Christians the questions that should be asked of God. To get God's answer, one must read the book He has given to mankind. I firmly believe the answer to your questions are placed in the Bible. Are you willing to search them out for yourself? Or are you willing to let others do your thinking for you?
There are some questions no amount of searching will unearth, otherwise they would have been answered by now. When you are at school, you learn by being taught and doing research yourself. But the answers are there, nevertheless.
I searched the scriptures for 40 years and never found a satisfying answer as to why God allows suffering and many other questions. Even Christians have a multiplicity of answers for certain questions. So God has given them multiple choice?
And please, please, do not patronize me by saying I didnt ask with enough faith, or I didnt look hard enough.... another stock answer by Christians who just cannot understand why God is so selective in who He reveals his truth to and also cannot understand how hurtful and patronizing it is to suggest that those who dont 'get it' are not doing it right somehow.
What is the most interesting way to learn? Do you prefer your answers handed to you on a silver platter, or do you like discovering things for yourself? Which way is more rewarding? From which method do you learn the most?
The Bible states that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory/honor of kings to search out a matter. It also promises that those who earnestly seek will find.
Perhaps the problem is that non-believers are asking Christians the questions that should be asked of God. To get God's answer, one must read the book He has given to mankind. I firmly believe the answer to your questions are placed in the Bible. Are you willing to search them out for yourself? Or are you willing to let others do your thinking for you?
You are aware that most atheists grew up in religious households and many of them have read various religious texts before they considered themselves to be atheists, right? I can't even name an atheist who hasn't read the Bible before.
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My ancestry is mostly Irish by the way.