I have to say I understand Fr0d0's perspective and completely agree (no big surprise there hunh
, I just wouldn't use the word idiots).
@ Rwandall- God can be both known and unknown. Let me try and explain that:
Take things back to Newton and Galileo. He saw that something made things fall and called that gravity. No one knew exactly why that force happened or how to measure it. We as humans saw something identified it, attempted to define it and then sought the why. Gravity was therefore known to exist (observe and identify) but the concept was incomplete from that perspective and aspects or reasons why were unknown (define). Then as other general knowledge and measuring systems like mathmatics developed, we had general relativity. Now from the modern perspective we understand even more about gravity (vis. quantum gravity and the M-theory), but it still doesn't exactly explain 100% of everything. Do we say we know nothing about gravity? No we say our concept isn't complete, but we have a working model. The same applies to the Concept of God. While the theists concept of God is a work in progress and not complete, we have a working model. There may be disagreements as to certain aspects, in those instances simplification of definition is usually the easiest aproach. On to your actual points:
I agree with your point about considering nature, actions and then deciding if claims are true.
1 "-He is always said to be all-loving and forgiving. This would mean that he feels at least some human emotions"
He's also attributed with being vengeful, wrathful, jealous ,etc. They're all personifications and descriptors and not identifiers, I ignore them all. One of the other threads I went into more detail on this subject.
2-"He created man "in his image and likeness". If "image" means appearance, then, to me, "likeness" means the intelligence and emotions that men have, like anger, jealousy, but also kindness and compassion."
More personification. If we're to interpret image as anything impersonal, I'd say it refers to a will and consciousness and the abilities to decide and have cause and effects in this universe through actions.
3-"He regretted making man, so he created the Flood. This means that he can feel regret (a "bad" emotion) and can make mistakes (making him fallible)"
Regret is another personification, but I'll roll with it. I would say itt's not regret for his mistakes he
is percieved to punish us, more it's a sadness for our choice to disobey. Giving us the ability to decide and thus learn isn't a mistake, I think it's a key to his purpose for us.
4- Your comment on the 10 commandmesnt or any rules on the Bible being cause for jealous is another personification and actually quite silly. If someone said, "Hey, I want to give away 20 bucks to everyone. Come over here and form a single file line, no cutsys, and when you get to the front I'll give you a 20." God has set up some guidlines for us to get his reward. Not everyone's goning to get in line. Not everyone wants to wait in line. Not everyone cares about getting a 20. Is the person giving out 20's jealous that you notin his line? No his is the only line in town. He may be saddened that you're not going to getin line, but he won't force you.
5-As for lying, why would God need to lie, that's what he made Lucifer for. Theophanies (manifestations of God) were often accomplished through intermediary angels that spoke God's word in the first person. If God actually spoke I think the sky would explode, I don't remember the exact reference.
6-"If he is all-loving, would he not do anything do prevent his beloved children from going to Hell ? The only response is that he is testing us, and has a higher plan, which brings this following question"
No that's not the only response. He'd do anything except break free will. He's all-loving, but we have the choice to accept or reject that Love and therin is the basis for sin.
7-"If he knows everything, why would he need to test us ? Should he not know what will happen ? And if he does, and knows the person will be sent to Hell, he is not all-loving. "
Perhaps if he wanted perfect little automaton, we'd have no free will and know everything from birth and live forever? If we are to learn what is truly good and his will and differintiate that from what is bad or evil it would require diversity and free-will, and yes that could be considered a test, I'd consider it more of a learning curve though.
8-Perfection. I think we are all perfectly capable of making our own decisions in this life and then perfectly capable of iving with those consequences. One of the drawbacks to mortality if the body failing. One of the drawbacks to being addicted to crack is a dead baby. One of the drawbacks to trusting in our own meager abilities instead of God's Love is we have to struggle to survive.
