I always hate to hear about people who are ill and suffering—it is a shame that ‘God’ apparently doesn’t feel the same way.

You just have to look at it the right way. If you believe Christian apologists, theirs is an omnimax deity and it follows that we live in the best of all possible worlds and the crap happening to us and around us furthers a greater good, even if we have no clue what that may be.

Do you feel better now?

I can accept that shit happens and that some scumbags get away with whatever they’re doing. Of course, I’m not obliged to make a theology that must needs have an answer to everything cohere with the world as I see it.

to decrepitoldfool,

The best we humans can do is look out for each other to the extent that respecting the others’ autonomy allows.

If I may quote from my book about this
Life has been described as “bitter-sweet� and it is not up to us to question why or how, but rather, just to do the best we can.
This is how we, as a people, will develop and evolve into a higher state of being!
In other words, we cannot control how life treats us, but we can control how we react to life. No matter what is thrown our way, we should face our destiny with a bit of class and a state of grace!
That is the true human virtue, and one that shows we are on the right path!!!!!
We, as human beings, also do not need to be told what is right and what is wrong.
This is a knowledge that is inherent in all of us!
It is only our ability to choose between the two that sets us apart from the other inhabitants of this planet.
It is also the trait that either brings us closer, or leads us further away, from a state of grace.
The choice is ours! from God-101

AND

Although it was just in a movie, one of the most profound and accurate statements about the human condition ever uttered was by God Himself.
“I look after the big picture son.â€? said God.  “Life is a crap-shoot and you take your chances like everyone else.â€? 
(A.K.A. George Burns)
(Now remember that earlier in the book we said evolution was great for the human race but extremely hard on the individual.)
Even though it was just a movie, a truer statement was probably never made!
We don’t have to try and analyze and explain why God allows pain and suffering in the world by saying; “God moves in mysterious ways!â€? or “God has a Divine purpose that is hidden from us.â€? 
No!  If we look at this rationally and take the obvious simple explanation, then we have to conclude that God does not interfere in the everyday workings of the world!
(Remember Occam’s old saying; “When all else fails, the simple solution is usually the right one!�)

By the way the quote about badges came from the movie “Treasure of the Sierra Madra” so no one gets the five hundred bucks!!! (It was just Canadian Tire money anyways.)
Allan

Perhaps if I pray hard enough my neighbour will mow my lawn for me.  We only get mormans and JW’s here and thats maybe once a year.  They’re very polite too.  So the christian perspective isn’t really “In your face”.

looking4truth...simply because I am Canadian is not enough to get me to cheer for the Oilers.  I would happily see Carolina lay the beats on them. A true fan does not cheer for the arch-enemy simply because they are in the same division/from the same country.  The true shame is in the reorganizaton of the league and playoff format the division rivalries were lost.

From Calgary, Lordklegg.

“Badges? We don’t need no stinkin badges!�

For a split second there, moses, I thought you meant we don’t need no stinkin badgers… Sorry…

Sure, to bag hardcore atheists for the glory of Skydaddy you have catch them where they live, but it’s the same thing as a travelling salesman ringing the bell despite a big fucking “No Soliciting� sign.

Except that there is no “No Proselytizing” sign here, elwed.  I imagine that for a Christian, it’s more like finding a fishing hole with the biggest mofo steelhead trout in it, and saying to oneself, “What a coup that would be to land one of these guys with my royal coachman and two-pound test line”.  Of course the fisherman will try lots of teasing and cajoling, but when push comes to shove, or rather pull comes to jerk, the twentypounder will most likely be another one that got away.

I guess I believe that, if the Bible is true, it should, and will, jive with objective reality in time.

L4t, I know lots of Christians who take that position, more or less.  The problem I have with it is that if you don’t believe everything in the Bible literally, including the order of creation in Genesis, the Flood, etc, how do you know what to believe at all?  JulianP made the same point in the “Fundie” thread.  It’s difficult to make the case for the Bible being the Word of God if at least some of it is obviously patently false.

Although it was just in a movie, one of the most profound and accurate statements about the human condition ever uttered was by God Himself.

The most profound and accurate statement ever uttered ABOUT god was also in a movie. It was uttered by Morgan Freeman, who, coincidently, played god in another film.

The statement was:

“God is an imaginary friend for grown-ups.”

Imaginary prizes granted to the first one to correctly name the film.....

Except that there is no “No Proselytizing� sign here, elwed.

No, there isn’t and proselytizing is overstating this case. Still, believers who witness, evangelize, proselytize, or even fish in hostile waters have always annoyed me.

Shawshank Redemption?

Sorry, no.

KPG promises: Imaginary prizes granted to the first one to correctly name the film.....

The Big Bounce!

For my prize, could you kindly fill my imaginary Mercedes with imaginary Premium gasoline?  It’s got an imaginary 22 gallon tank. 

Consider it full....

From now on I don’t wnat anyone Badgering Zilch. Especially not the stinky ones!
(P.S. Zilch, pay attention, get in the game or go home!)

Managing a dire illness is difficult for everyone involved.  Add my hopes for a the best possible outcome for both Mrs. Moses and Maid Klegg, and their families.  Stay strong.