[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by photon

For the act of kindness itself, the whole giving a cheque to someone is almost a meme within the Christian community, I can't count the number of times I've heard it as an example from the pulpit of an example of charity or of God guiding someone. So it would make sense that someone would take that kind of action, it's programmed in. I don't see any requirement for God to be involved in this kind of action of kindness; to me it just shows the goodness inherent in people...

And this is precisely why I wanted to keep this example out of any discussion surrounding whether or not a belief in God produces "morality" or "kindness". I have no qualms at all with insisting that people are innately "good"—but also, paradoxically, innately "wicked"—but what intrigues me is the instinct itself and the timing in it all: Are you not ever awed by what an amazing stroke of coincidences your life experience amounts to?

Originally Posted by photon

Where it becomes a problem for me is what this says about a potential God. If that God did in fact intervene, what does that say about God's choices about where he does intervene, and to what extent? A God that will provide for someone who lives in a wealthy country where there's a safety net for the most unfortunate so they don't miss some bills, but allows a child to die of starvation every five seconds... God may be inscrutable, but that kind of disparity in intervention really makes it difficult for me to believe in a God that actively intervenes in our reality.

No question. This is a problem. But what I think it does say about God, if such a God exists is two things: first, we are probably wrong to think that God ever "intervenes". Second, I think that if there is a God, he is not "all-powerful" or "all-knowing", at least not in the sense that we would expect.

I'll go back to Miller's statement about whether or not the "Divine author" can in fact "intervene in his world at any time". I am presently writing a dissertation which I intend to publish as a book after my graduation. It is my creation full of my ideas. I own it and I am free to do whatever I want with it. But does that really mean that I can "intervene at any time"? If I decided to insert on p. 37 the following sentance: "If you are reading this you are too close", or the following random sequence of letters: "ddcvbqipvbwovqsivb1wrcv1qpuivbquifv", this would be a mistake. Or consider this: If you ever choose to read my book, will you be capable of detecting where the "original" material exists? What parts have been supplemented? Expanded? Changed? If I am a good enough writer, you should not. Part of my work in dealing with ancient literature is detecting those places where authors and editors have in fact "intervened." I am presently working on six mss. from the Dead Sea Scrolls that all contain the same composition, and I have actually managed to locate three separate layers of tradition that have resulted from redaction, or "intervention." So, whether or not God does intervene or even can intervene is not the point. We probably would not nor could not recognize "divine intervention" even if it did take place. But the fact that there are promptings and "instincts" within us that move us inexplicably to act on behalf of humanity suggests that it is—as life is—so much more than merely the sum of its parts.

Originally Posted by photon

I would rather say that the friend's belief in God inspired him to do an act of kindness to his friend, rather than God whispering in his ear to do it. That, in my mind, gives the act of kindness more value. When my son shares his toys by himself instead of me constantly reminding him, that shows maturity.

I totally agree. I'm becoming wholly dissatisfied with the "God told me to" excuses on both sides of the coin.

Originally Posted by photon

Theodicy is still something that is a problem for me.

As it should be, and I completely understand why this will most frequently be the sticking point for those who cannot believe in God. It will (or at least it should!) remain an unresolvable tension for those of us who do believe.