As a human I feel tragedy, sadness , loss. I work towards an nurturing an empathetic, compassionate , even handed, kind perspective, approach. Evidently a god such as you describe does not- therefor is indifferent or malevolent. After all if it is unfathomably intelligent, powerful then it would be instantly capable of comprehending suffering on a human level. Non- sense. Bob
That’s a very real argument, Bob, and also widely held by many. I know many Christians who fall apart after personal tragedy, eschewing their once-held beliefs about a benevolent God who sits idly by as their loved one suffers a heinous tragedy, wastes away from disease, etc. you’re right; how could a compassionate, all-knowing, all capable Deity allow this?
It’s a question for the ages.
Christians (and Catholics) are raised to know that God will not impose upon them, something they can not endure. There’s no guarantee that it will be pleasant, easy, or quick. Some say, every day is a test of your belief and commitment. God bestows man with
Free Will. It’s just like our US Constitution to draw a common parallel. You have the
right to life, liberty and the pursuit, but you get
no guarantee. Free Will is kind of the same.
It is presented that God wants man to choose to love Him, to honor Him, to abide moral tenants. Further, it presented that He
could force this upon Man, but then where is the value in that? Man needs
Free Will to flourish, to honor, to do good things. It’s like Free Men (and women of course) in a society choose their destiny and derive more as a result.
The downside is Evil.
Free Will enables Evil. But, without Evil, without sadness, without pain, how could you ever know Good, Happiness, Love, and Wonderment? Think about that. Would you rather an existence of murky, neutral, pain-free fogginess to bump along? While you prefer to be reduced to a peon in a factory? Or do you prefer to love, lose, win, and live as you choose? I’ll bet the latter. But you can’t have both- liberty without risk, health without sadness.
You’re right of course; living a good and honorable life is what it’s all about. The “only” difference between you and Charlie is that he has a motivation for his efforts that is different than yours. His is to honor a God he believes in. Yours is self-induced, perhaps from upbringing. It doesn’t make either of you better or worse, just walking the same road in different shoes.
If you’d indulge me, instead of trying to work out God/Bible/religion etc through dogma, try reading a book
Mere Christianity by C S Lewis. It’s a written transcription of radio broadcasts by an intellect. It’s non-denominational, it’s not theological, it’s simply someone orating intellectual logic to any ordinary person. It’s a fascinating read because it can make certain ideas very, very clear to anyone without ever being “preached at”.
It won’t make you run to a church and take the bath either
Sorry for the long-winded post.
