Conflicting statements in the bible

[Statler Waldorf]

Why is that funny? You have no rational response?

[citation needed]

You do not cite logic.

My point still stands, because you still don't get it. I reckon it's because you have special meanings for each word he said:

What point is that?

Notice those ["] symbols? He's using a phrase to make a point that theists have a warped view and special meanings for their detractors. Basically two people who talk past each other.

No, he’s using quotation marks to quote what a theist might say; it has nothing to do with special meanings.

Because of the experience of allowing for consent to be violated increases suffering - I don't believe in an objective morality, if that's what you're getting at.

So now I must ask, why is it morally wrong to increase suffering in an atheistic Universe?

From your statements.

Why do any of my statements make me evil? How is evil defined?

Tell me, in this hypothetical scenario, what course of action would you do: A murderer comes to your house and will believe everything you tell him, and is looking to kill your wife and asks where your wife is. What do you do?

I do not answer his question. You forgot that option.

You're evil because of excusing and even condoning the malice perpetrated by your imaginary god, and in particularly your statement about people being thrown into Hell, where they suffer indefinitely.
I define evil as an action, statement and even belief that excuses malice, and you are doing that.

Why is that the definition of evil? According to what authority is that evil? You?

Nice hand-wave.

Philosophically sophisticated atheists know that that particular dilemma does not apply to the Christian God.

Infallible?

Why is that funny?

I would find satisfaction in knowing that someone who did such awful things with such a cavalier attitude suffered for it tenfold, yes. And that those who suffered at the hands of people like him are rewarded tenfold. It is certainly comforting to think that at some point, justice is served in full. I don't think that this is the case, and it's terrible to think that the universe can be so unfair. But I can't believe based on what I wish were true. I think Hugh Hefner may be the only person who pulled that off.

Fair enough; sometime I would be very interested in hearing how you derive your concept of how things ought to be from the way things really are. The Hefner reference killed me; that was very good by the way.

I liked that part of the Jehovah's Witnesses belief system. They believe that Adam and Eve's actions derailed god's plan, but that his intent was to return things to the way he intended at the start. At some point, he would turn the whole planet into one big Garden of Eden and hand it over to a perfected humanity, free of disease and suffering and death. The alternative, as I understand it, is for this world to continue as it is and basically serve as a factory that pumps out souls heading to heaven and souls heading to hell. That is somewhat depressing, in that Earth winds up as little more than a forgettable way station. The idea that humanity is mostly destined for pain and suffering and then more pain and suffering (or depending on your views, a return to nothingness) is even more depressing.

I think the Watchtower struggles with defending God’s omnipotence and foreknowledge in that scenario where Adam and Eve somehow thwarted His initial plans. I like the teaching that it was all part of the plan and those whom God saved get to inhabit the New Earth for eternity, which I think is clearly taught in scripture.

Do you believe that there is a point at which we get off of the treadmill and Earth becomes what it might have been, and not just a short and unpleasant stop on the way to an afterlife?

This is the eschatology I believe scripture supports.
- If a person dies, one of two things happens. If they are part of God’s elect their soul goes immediately to Heaven and reigns there with Christ until Judgment Day. If they were not part of God’s elect their soul will go to Hades, which is where they will wait for Judgment Day.
- On Judgment Day Christ will defeat Satan and His armies and they will be tossed into the Lake of Fire for eternity. Those who were not part of the elect will receive judgment for their sins and also be tossed into the Lake of Fire for eternity. God will destroy the Old Heavens and the Old Earth and create a New Heavens and a New Earth. God’s elect will receive their new glorified bodies and will inhabit the New Earth, free of suffering and pain for all of eternity.

Unfortunately, the modern Church has been taken over by a newer view of Eschatology that involves secret raptures, seven year tribulations, an anti-Christ setting himself up in the Jewish Temple as God, a global currency and so on. I believe this loses focus on the real purpose of Biblical Eschatology and turns Christians into very poor fortune tellers. That’s enough ranting for now though.