(November 25, 2014 at 2:02 am)whateverist Wrote: Something GC said recently about sin, the Garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve messing things up made me wonder. Haven't heard back yet on that thread but I'd be curious what the Christian community here might think about these things. Naturally, atheists are more than welcome to weigh in if they like.
#1 Are you sure leaving the garden wasn't part of God's plan?
If you read it as an allegory for the emergence of consciousness, then yes. God intended it. It is to explain that with that gift there are sacrifices. You can not live in ignorant bliss if that ignorance is removed.
Textually of course, no. He didn't.
Quote:#2 If so, why do you think God was incapable of making it work out the way he wished, and, does that make you wonder what other intentions God has been unable to actualize?
God as portrayed by the text of genesis is neither omnipotent not omniscient. He's essentially an immortal human. So, if we actually take what the text says, God would essentially be unable to manipulate the world too much more than a very wise human could.
Quote:#3 If not (i.e., if you agree that leaving the garden was God's plan all along), what does sin have to do with it?
#4 For that matter, if man's nature is sinful and God is man's creator, who is really responsible for sin?
I love the bible as literature and for all the stories it has spawned. The question of who is ultimately responsible is a fun one. If you believe god is all powerful and all knowing ten he is. If he is neither ten it becomes more interesting. Is a parent responsible for every action of a grown child?
