Can we have a philosophical (not religious) talk about religion?

[Logres 0]

I studied philosophy (not theology) and have clear-cut ideas.......... what philosophical ideas do other people have?

I personally find the 'problem of pain' an interesting subject that Christians have never answered.......

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sure. Explain this 'problem with pain'.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Me? I got no problems.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Pain can only be defined by the individual and not by the observer.

[Logres 0]

Stanford does ivery wewll here:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/

It is a problem between there being an all-powerful God and him letting bad things happen on our earth.......... eg. either he isn't all-powerful and lets bad things happen or he is all-powerful and isn't all good.

So why did God let 911 happen? Is he really not all-powerful or is he evil?

Edited October 15, 2007 by Logres

[Logres 0]

Pain can only be defined by the individual and not by the observer.

Fair point....... classically it is known as the 'problem of evil', not 'problem of pain'.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Stanford does ivery wewll here:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/

It is a problem between there being an all-powerful God and him letting bad things happen on our earth.......... eg. either he isn't all-powerful and lets bad things happen or he is all-powerful and isn't all good.

So why did God let 911 happen? Is he really not all-powerful or is he evil?

You are a Philosophy major? Did you not read Descartes? Kiekergaard? Wittgenstein? Some of the greatest philosophers believed in God.

[Peikko 1,575]

Free will.

[JohnK 0]

Free will.

[Logres 0]

Stanford does ivery wewll here:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/

It is a problem between there being an all-powerful God and him letting bad things happen on our earth.......... eg. either he isn't all-powerful and lets bad things happen or he is all-powerful and isn't all good.

So why did God let 911 happen? Is he really not all-powerful or is he evil?

You are a Philosophy major? Did you not read Descartes? Kiekergaard? Wittgenstein? Some of the greatest philosophers believed in God.

Philosophy is not about 'who', it is about 'why'....... None of them has a valid argument for their proof for the existence of God.

Free will.

Free Will what?

[Nagishkaw 510]

God is sovereign. This means He is the supreme authority over everything, including sin and it's consequences.

In His omniscience and wisdom, God will allow disaster and evil to touch our lives so we can grow from the experience. He had His reasons for not stopping 911, maybe you can ask Him why.

Suffering and evil are inevitable parts of a fallen world. He is in control of the universe.

Though it is within His power to give everyone a perfect existence, that wouldn't be in our best interest. Trials and suffering often drive folks to God, and for those who already believe, He uses harsh circumstances to mature our faith.

Edited October 15, 2007 by Nagishkaw

[Jaseball 0]

Stanford does ivery wewll here:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/

It is a problem between there being an all-powerful God and him letting bad things happen on our earth.......... eg. either he isn't all-powerful and lets bad things happen or he is all-powerful and isn't all good.

So why did God let 911 happen? Is he really not all-powerful or is he evil?

If there is an all powerful God, then that means there is a pretty powerful force of evil out there as well. You can't really have one without the other. So when bad things happen it is the evil side influencing the world.

My biggest problem with religion isn't the idea of a higher being or power. It's with the concept that if I don't subscribe to the 'right,' religio, but I lead an overall good life that still means I'm going to hell.

[Logres 0]

God is sovereign. This means He is the supreme authority over everything, including sin and it's consequences.

In His omniscience and wisdom, God will allow disaster and evil to touch our lives so we can grow from the experience. He had His reasons for not stopping 911, maybe you can ask Him why.

Suffering and evil are inevitable parts of a fallen world. He is in control of the universe.

Though it is within His power to give everyone a perfect existence, that wouldn't be in our best interest. Trials and suffering often drive folks to God, and for those who already believe, He uses harsh circumstances to mature our faith.

The God you believe in sounds like a devil to me.

Stanford does ivery wewll here:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/

It is a problem between there being an all-powerful God and him letting bad things happen on our earth.......... eg. either he isn't all-powerful and lets bad things happen or he is all-powerful and isn't all good.

So why did God let 911 happen? Is he really not all-powerful or is he evil?

If there is an all powerful God, then that means there is a pretty powerful force of evil out there as well. You can't really have one without the other. So when bad things happen it is the evil side influencing the world.

My biggest problem with religion isn't the idea of a higher being or power. It's with the concept that if I don't subscribe to the 'right,' religio, but I lead an overall good life that still means I'm going to hell.

No, belief in the existence of one God, does not mean another God necessary.................

[Jaseball 0]

No, belief in the existence of one God, does not mean another God necessary.................

It's more of a yin and yang idea. No one said it was another God, but if there is a God, which is mainly a focus of good, then there is probably a strong force of evil on the reverse side.

[Nagishkaw 510]

That is your belief, and it is fine with me.