Help me refute the "suffering will be insignificant in heaven" theodicy

[Belacqua]

what Christianity actually teaches

Unfortunately, what Christianity actually teaches is a lot of different things, because there are a lot of different versions of Christianity. 

Different traditions may be incompatible to the point where they are all called "Christianity" only in Wittgenstein's sense of "family resemblance," and not through any essential continuity. 

That doesn't mean atheists have to consider every possible conception before rejecting the whole idea.

This is true. If you're not interested in the subject, there's no reason why you should have to waste another minute on it. 

If you want to make a video rebutting some aspect of Christian theology, however, it makes sense to know what Christians say. And there may not be a single argument against everything they say, because it varies.

[The Grand Nudger]

-and if you are interested in the subject, there are even more examples and an even clearer case.

Meanwhile, a person can "rebut" the entirety of christian theology on the basis of it's christianess itself...which is not a good thing. Which is not an escape hatch. No one is upset with christianity because of what it doesn't contend. Go fuck yourself Bel.

[h4ym4n]

what Christianity actually teaches

Unfortunately, what Christianity actually teaches is a lot of different things, because there are a lot of different versions of Christianity. 

Different traditions may be incompatible to the point where they are all called "Christianity" only in Wittgenstein's sense of "family resemblance," and not through any essential continuity. 

That doesn't mean atheists have to consider every possible conception before rejecting the whole idea.

This is true. If you're not interested in the subject, there's no reason why you should have to waste another minute on it. 

If you want to make a video rebutting some aspect of Christian theology, however, it makes sense to know what Christians say. And there may not be a single argument against everything they say, because it varies.

Why do you suppose there are different versions of just one jesus and why does god allow it to happen?

[Belacqua]

Why do you suppose there are different versions of just one jesus 

I suppose it's because people theorize about the subject and come up with different conclusions. The history of Christian thought is a complicated subject. 

and why does god allow it to happen?

Here, too, the answers would vary among Christians. Thomas Aquinas and Jacob Boehme would say very different things. 

I guess I could kind of outline what has been said at different times in history, but I'm not an expert. You'd be better off reading that book I recommended. 

Or if you want to find a Christian to defend one particular belief there are probably web sites where they hang out. I don't think there are any on this forum at the moment.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Why do you suppose there are different versions of just one jesus 

I suppose it's because people theorize about the subject and come up with different conclusions. The history of Christian thought is a complicated subject. 

and why does god allow it to happen?

Here, too, the answers would vary among Christians. Thomas Aquinas and Jacob Boehme would say very different things. 

I guess I could kind of outline what has been said at different times in history, but I'm not an expert. You'd be better off reading that book I recommended. 

Or if you want to find a Christian to defend one particular belief there are probably web sites where they hang out. I don't think there are any on this forum at the moment.

(Bold mine)

It isn't. Christian thought itself is complicated (the reasons why are painfully self-evident), but the history of it is a mere doddle.

Boru

[Disagreeable]

A truly great God would have created people in paradise. And I say "paradise" instead of heaven because paradise sounds genuinely enjoyable, whereas heaven might be an eternity of just praising the lord (which sucks).

I know he did create people in paradise, supposedly, namely Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (well, except they never existed) . . . but God would have kept people in paradise. Allowing the fall to happen and people to leave paradise with the stupid "free will" excuse . . . is a mistake and not something that a truly perfect being would do.