How God works (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Thursday, January 17, 2013, 20:40 (4118 days ago) @ dhw

DHW: I could not have put it better myself, though I have certainly said the same thing many times. Simple reason and logic also tell me that if I really was designed, whatever designed me would be equally "aware" of self-centredness, vanity, greed, sadism. And I really don't see how he could have created such things without already knowing about them from within. I have no doubt you will find a passage in the bible to explain how God can be all good but can create evil (one of the oldest problems of all, never satisfactorily resolved), but I repeat: "quoting religious texts does not provide evidence that those religious texts are true!" -I do not think that I have ever said that he didn't create the potential for those things. I am absolutely certain that he did! I am also absolutely certain that they are required! Look, nothing is black and white, good and evil, innately. Fear, can help you survive. Hate can protect you from something that can harm you.(Hating drugs, for example.) Pain is a valuable teacher, and also a valuable warning tool. What I disagree with is first, that you classify them as evil, which, decoupled from intent, they are not. Second, is that you continually blame God for all the suffering in the world, without recognizing or acknowledging two facts: 1) That life could not exist without the potential for suffering, and 2)Exposure to suffering(which must exist in order for life to exist) is generally cause through human mistakes(sin/unintentional, wickedness/intentional).->DHW:I asked you earlier, how do YOU know that God is hurt by the evil and suffering in the world? And I also pointed out that you were quite rightly sceptical of many scientific claims (usually by named and accountable scientists) which cannot be tested against empirical realities. And I asked you why you did not apply the same (agnostic) principles to the claims made in ancient texts by often unknown authors, knowing that these claims (e.g. their reading of God's nature and intentions) cannot be tested against empirical realities. Such statements CANNOT be used as evidence of what you believe in, when what you believe in is what you are told by these statements!-
Yes, you asked, I answered, you ignored my answer and asked again! Given a book that has been repeatedly proven as accurate, my own observations, experience, and knowledge, I find no reason to doubt the things that we can not yet prove. That is the textbook definition of faith my friend, and that is the only thing that separates the A/Theist from the agnostic. Faith is the assured expectation of things to come, though not beheld. Assured expectation, not just expectation. I find assurance in the historical accuracy of the bible and in the realization of other prophecies throughout the bible. The more I learn and uncover in its text, the more assurance I find. -
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> I am in a rather vulnerable state at the moment, and I must confess these comments brought a tear to my eye. David and I are used to teasing each other, but I'm aware that my posts to Tony sometimes go very close to the edge of what might be bearable. I can only say that despite my scepticism, I fully share those feelings of respect and friendship.
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You are a hard headed, stubborn, infuriating piece of work, DHW, and we love you for it. :) Best wishes from my family to yours. Casey sends her regards and best wishes for you and your wife as well.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.