(November 12, 2013 at 12:34 pm)ronedee Wrote: What if the "gift" has already been given to us?
Then what if the "faith" is [from the father]? Faith to do the right thing with his "gift".
Is the gift being vulnerable to believing absurd things on the basis of insufficient evidence?
(November 12, 2013 at 12:34 pm)ronedee Wrote: What could a father possibly want his unempowered "child" to do for him? Hmmmmm...
Need him? Obey him? Respect him? Trust him? Love him?
I think you need to finish that thought. Lines like this are followed with a disclaimer (Need him, obey him, trust him, love him...or else..)
This is what makes God seem like a petty egotistic maniac...
I am the father of a 4 year old boy. Is a 4 year old unempowered? I want him to grow into a kind intelligent man. I would of course like him to love me, and respect me, but I also realize that it's not a given. I need to work to improve as a man myself so that I can be a role model deserving of his respect, love, and gratitude.
I love him, so I give him guidance in the best way I can.
Ultimately, it will be his decision to do what I say, or follow a different path.
In the end, I'm not standing preparing to press a button that will subject him to eternal torture if he doesn't follow the exact path that want for him.
