A Loving God

[Lek]

I want to come back to the idea of assuming some sort of higher power is in charge and ultimately knows what it is doing. I don't believe this is true obviously, but my problem with it goes much deeper. This is a really dangerous idea. It's irresponsible. If you're wrong, the implications are terrible. Even if you're right, you're putting complete faith in the fact that this power isn't actually an evil bastard of some sort and needs standing up to.

That's a real general statement that doesn't refute the benefit following God. We all put our faith in things or people that we deem to be worthy of that faith. Most of us put our faith in doctors, teachers, scientists, etc. If we discover that these individuals or institutions are unworthy of our faith and trust than we usually abandon them. I would never suggest that we should follow a god that is evil, unloving, etc.

If I start refusing to act, or refusing to make decisions properly because I'm relying on a higher power, I'm not living life properly. I'm putting myself and others in potential danger. As an extreme case, "Shall I stop that rape over there? No, it's okay. Being X is allowing it, so it's okay. I don't want to interefere with its greater plan."

Relying on a higher power doesn't consist of waking up every day and stopping, consulting God and waiting for answer before we act, as if anyone really does that. At least represent theists realistically, if you're going to form conclusions about us. I make my daily decisions based on the morality I have formed through my experience with God and his presence in me at all times.

Even worse, "Shall I rape someone? Well, if I manage to do it, obviously being X is okay with it." Why take responsibility for any decisions? If what will be will be, and is all part of the plan, why think at all?

That's a really silly statement you're making here. While arguing that theists should come to reality, you need to consider reality yourself. What theist comes upon a woman, gets an urge to rape her, then checks with God to see if it's OK to do so at this time? We act based upon the accumulation of what kind of people we have become through our relationship with God and the morality this has formed in us. We make the same decisions everyone else makes. We are accountable for every decision we make, not only to other people and authorities, but ultimately to God.

Of course, even the people who profess to believe in such principles act like they are not true, most of the time. They will indeed step in to do the right thing. They will take responsibility for difficult decisions. I find these contradictions very interesting, In fact. It's the times that they don't, and compromise their judgement for religious reasons, that the harm is caused.

You're verifying what I said above. Of course, I'll step in and do the right thing, but that is not acting like God is not real. Let's talk reality here, not some vision you have about a theist stopping and considering all angles before jumping in to save a person is distress. A common false argument that atheists make about theists is that they don't think or reason. If you tell them to look at the social, medical and scientific accomplishments of theists, say in the western world, they'll say something ridiculous like "they ignored or went against their theist beliefs."