(August 7, 2013 at 12:53 pm)Locke Wrote: Thats probably getting off topic, but what I was thinking of wasn't so much how things occur. I mean to address how we react to what does occur; considering suffering to be discipline (an opportunity to improve) is probably the best outlook.

That's a whole different thing than saying suffering is god's way of disciplining us.

Anybody who has lived on earth for about 15 years knows that when bad things happen the best thing you can do is to learn from it and suck it up and come back stronger.

But that doesn't mean god has anything to do with it. And that doesn't mean we should inflict bad things on people and pretend like we're helping them out. If a guy turned his life around after almost dying in a car accident, it doesn't make me a good person if I go out there and cause a car accident with the purpose of teaching someone a lesson. And if you are to believe that god did that to discipline this man, then that doesn't make him a good person either.

(August 7, 2013 at 2:30 pm)Locke Wrote: Okay, I follow. And thank you for your consideration

In view of my inadequate research in this area, I would like to flesh it out a bit; Why is torture bad?

I am not even going to justify that with an answer right now! . Anyone else feel like taking this one?

(August 7, 2013 at 2:40 pm)ITChick Wrote:

(August 7, 2013 at 2:30 pm)Locke Wrote: Okay, I follow. And thank you for your consideration

In view of my inadequate research in this area, I would like to flesh it out a bit; Why is torture bad?

I am not even going to justify that with an answer right now! . Anyone else feel like taking this one?

I'll ask another question......

Why is god good?
It's rhetorical, but I expect an attempted response.

(August 2, 2013 at 6:10 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: Today he asked me for food after telling me that I was hell bound for being born a sinner, and for turning my back on Jesus (I am atheist). I told him “No problem, I‘ll feed you”, and I invited him over for a steak and lobster dinner which I promised I would freely give to him. I told him I had a room in my home prepared for him, and that he could feast, and live in comfort and luxury for all of his days. He was very excited!

What a bunch of bullshit.

(August 7, 2013 at 4:22 pm)John V Wrote:

(August 2, 2013 at 6:10 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: Today he asked me for food after telling me that I was hell bound for being born a sinner, and for turning my back on Jesus (I am atheist). I told him “No problem, I‘ll feed you”, and I invited him over for a steak and lobster dinner which I promised I would freely give to him. I told him I had a room in my home prepared for him, and that he could feast, and live in comfort and luxury for all of his days. He was very excited!

What a bunch of bullshit.

If you have not read the entire thread then please take a few moments to look into some of the responses (including my own). While this story represents real characters, it is presented as a parable to demonstrate the insane cruelty of the mythical christian god.

(August 7, 2013 at 4:32 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: If you have not read the entire thread then please take a few moments to look into some of the responses (including my own).

OK, I had read about a page and a half. I see you admit it was bullshit near the bottom of the second page.

Quote:While this story represents real characters, it is presented as a parable to demonstrate the insane cruelty of the mythical christian god.

Uh, where's the insane cruelty? It better demonstrates the insane ego of man.

(August 7, 2013 at 4:50 pm)John V Wrote:

(August 7, 2013 at 4:32 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: If you have not read the entire thread then please take a few moments to look into some of the responses (including my own).

OK, I had read about a page and a half. I see you admit it was bullshit near the bottom of the second page.

Quote:While this story represents real characters, it is presented as a parable to demonstrate the insane cruelty of the mythical christian god.

Uh, where's the insane cruelty? It better demonstrates the insane ego of man.

Of course it does. He bloody well wrote it.

(August 7, 2013 at 4:50 pm)John V Wrote:

(August 7, 2013 at 4:32 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: If you have not read the entire thread then please take a few moments to look into some of the responses (including my own).

OK, I had read about a page and a half. I see you admit it was bullshit near the bottom of the second page.

And when can we expect people to admit the bible's parables are just as bullshit?

(August 7, 2013 at 4:57 pm)pineapplebunnybounce Wrote:

(August 7, 2013 at 4:50 pm)John V Wrote: OK, I had read about a page and a half. I see you admit it was bullshit near the bottom of the second page.

And when can we expect people to admit the bible's parables are just as bullshit?

Hopefully in two or three generations. Armageddon notwithstanding.

(August 6, 2013 at 7:01 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: Is it special pleading if you to punish your child for stealing whisky from the liquor cabinet? No. Because everyone recognizes that adults, by virtue of their knowledge, experience and level of responsibility have a different moral status than their children.

That's not a very good analogy. Try "Is it special pleading for you to disinherit your chld for not accepting the college education you want for her?" I'm not sure it makes your point much better, but at least in mine you haven't compared not accepting a gift to stealing whiskey.