This is a terribly over-simplistic view of things. Given that the idea of "sin" was coined in an era in which there was no distinction between "divine law" or "civic law", then the proper understanding of the term is to recognise that it is most broadly a regrettable act with undesired consequences, or transgression against any authority more generally (you will notice that even modern dictionary definitions include other such options beyond the one you quoted verbatim from an uncited internet source).
So, claiming people are "sinful" in actual fact points to the reality that people are quite naturally selfish, and frequently this persistent selfishness leads all people to make poor choices that inversely affect others, occasionally to tragic ends. If people were not "sinful", then there would be no need for laws or police to enforce them.
Regardless of how the word "sin" was coined over 2 thousand years ago, the word is directly linked to and has religious connotations today. I do not use that word in any meaningful way in my day to day discussion with anyone outside of those who wish to use it to point out that I might end up in a fiery oblivion when I pass on. If someone is selfish or make poor choices I use those terms. I think we differ significantly in the thought that people are born with sin or selfishness, and although there certainly can be genetic or poor parenting implications that would imply these traits, without someone telling/teaching us regularly that we might be evil or we might be sinful the idea might differ significantly from how it is implied in today's culture(s).
The idea of sin differs significantly from culture to culture, race to race and person to person. What you might think as selfish or sinful another person might think as normal...and in some societies the laws and enforcement thereof differ significantly in those respects as well.
Children are taught "sin" at a very young age, and they are beheld to the standards of their applicable religion.
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But why do people who believe in him praise him when he lets evil happen?
Why is "free will" considered acceptable to not act?
If I saw an innocent child in trouble and did nothing I am quilty and every person on this thread would think little of me. But somehow the most powerful being in the universe (that created it in 6 days) gets a free pass?
This is a circle I can't square up
Agreed. I read "How Can I Believe When I Live In A World Like This" by Reginald Stackhouse where he TRIES to throw out possible explanations. But I don't buy it. I'm okay with the possibility that there is a God. But based on the pain and suffering that exists in the world, there cannot be a good God worthy of worshiping.
Stackhouse tries to say that suffering is necessary because it helps us appreciate the good. And if earth is a testing ground for our spirits to gain entrance into heaven, we have to be given free will to choose evil over good, but at the peril of our souls. Okay, I always thought that what God did to Job was the ultimate dick move... why all this "testing"? Can't the Supreme Being look at the souls when they are formed and tell if they are good or evil?
So let's say the Supreme Being if limited in his ability to judge souls. I so often see those that choose evil prosper (look at our government politicians, corrupt corporate CEOs, criminal defrauders bilking grandma out of her savings) while those that choose to do good are punished (Chinese dissidents including union organizers, grandma who got bilked out of her savings). Why would a good God set up such a mess of a universe where, to gain entrance into heaven, you likely will suffer from the deeds of those that choose to do evil?
And this doesn't even touch on extreme, unexplainable suffering. Take a good, loving family. Mother, father, son, daughter. Daughter gets leukaemia. She suffers for many years of pain and torture. The family lives through just as much torture, watching this poor innocent girl writhe in constant pain. After fighting the good fight, the girl still passes away. What was the purpose of this pain and suffering? Stackhouse claims that it makes the boy stronger. He might want to become a scientist that finds the cure for leukaemia. Who knows what God's plan is... but it could mean that innocents suffer for the greater good of the world. Well my response would be WHY CREATE LEUKAEMIA IN THE FIRST PLACE? WTF? Why kill this innocent girl so the boy will become a scientist to cure this disease of He has the power to eliminate it right now? It makes no sense.
So as much as biblical scholars try, I can't circle that square myself. So back to this agnostic, atheist stuff.... I can possibly believe there was a being that created the energy for the big bang. But I don't believe in a good God deserving of our adoration. And I most certainly believe, with 100% certainty that the God of the Bible does not exist.
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One of the pastors of the church i grew up in wrote on his facebook wall (this morning) something along the lines of "would jesus have stayed home on good friday because it was snowing"?
What a donkey. And an example of why i stay home every sunday of the year.
That Jefferies fellow said a lot of things I have believed for a long time. ie when you're dead you won't know you're dead because you're dead. You will have no consciousness after dieing, let alone be in a place like heaven with your loved ones. How would you recognize your loved ones if there actually was a heaven? Wouldyour Grandma look like the Grandma you remember or would she look like a 18 year old hot skank? neither, because you have no conscousness, dummies.
Had to laugh at the brother of the Florida sink hole guy who was swallowed up.
He said, "I thank the Lord for not taking my daughter and the rest of my family,". lol. So God in his mysterious ways created a sinkhole that swallowed up your brother never to be seen again, but spared your daughter and family? ha ha. sure thing. that Lord, what a guy, no doubt you would want to thank him after that.
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Location: In a land without pants, or war, or want. But mostly we care about the pants.
Exp:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flabbibulin
One of the pastors of the church i grew up in wrote on his facebook wall (this morning) something along the lines of "would jesus have stayed home on good friday because it was snowing"?
Of course he would have. "Hey, God, I know I'm totally supposed to get crucified today, but this is the first time it has snowed in Jerusalem in like, forever. Can't we let the peeps just have some fun making snow forts and chucking snowballs today, and move this whole thing to maybe next weekend?"
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Of course he would have. "Hey, God, I know I'm totally supposed to get crucified today, but this is the first time it has snowed in Jerusalem in like, forever. Can't we let the peeps just have some fun making snow forts and chucking snowballs today, and move this whole thing to maybe next weekend?"
He did appear to get some negative comments from parishioners that apparently didn't appreciate being guilt-tripped into driving to church when even the police were advising everyone to stay off the roads.
But hey, only half of the congregation showing up means half the tithe for the week.
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One of the pastors of the church i grew up in wrote on his facebook wall (this morning) something along the lines of "would jesus have stayed home on good friday because it was snowing"?
What a donkey. And an example of why i stay home every sunday of the year.
The answer would be no. Since he can walk on water with his ninjutsu, he can walk on snow which is just another form of water.
Sidenote, I don't really understand this comment as I'm not well informed about the religion why did he have to go out on Good Friday?
Sidenote, I don't really understand this comment as I'm not well informed about the religion why did he have to go out on Good Friday?
That is the supposed day that Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.
The soldier didn't give him much of a choice about going or not, though he's often said to have gone willingly.
The implication was that Jesus would have gone to his death (and thus absolving us of ours) regardless of the weather. It was an interesting guilt trip attempt, to be sure.
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SECTION 1. The North Carolina General Assembly asserts that the Constitution of the United States of America does not prohibit states or their subsidiaries from making laws respecting an establishment of religion.
SECTION 2. The North Carolina General Assembly does not recognize federal court rulings which prohibit and otherwise regulate the State of North Carolina, its public schools or any political subdivisions of the State from making laws respecting an establishment of religion.
I wonder what religion they're going to pick? I bet it's Wiccan.
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