there is no Elvis

There is no Maradona

He doesn't seem to be very fond of Japan.  Another earthquake yesterday.

Jesus Christ
in my own particular way
and he/she should forgive me cause he made me this way

I dedicate this video to my homeless friend. He loves this song and JL is his Jesus he says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI5NmhfqQGk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk41Gbjljfo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqKbobw51ek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkEa9EufpLA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxYe8gn3Gwo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT4Kw3A0pHI

and we live in a "christian" country and if I had been sent to kill some infidels in the name of our God,
I would have gladly gone. But that didn't happen to happen

he just doesn't operate the way you would like...

But somehow I don't think he seeks your approval...

So you are saying God is a cruel monster who murders thousands of innocent people indiscriminately, using the forces of nature to turn a prosperous country into a slaughterhouse?

I've heard some descriptions of the aftermath, things they won't put on the news because it is too graphic. The debris carried by the flood waters makes the tsunami into a meat grinder whenever it encounters living people.

You are saying that God is the kind of being who would do this intentionally?

I don't care if he seeks my approval or not. I don't WANT to believe in him, if that's what he's like. Why would I want salvation, to spend the rest of eternity with a being that would do that?

Then there's holocausts, torture, Down's syndrome, the whole natural disaster compliment, conjoined twins, Lou Gehrig's disease, childhood cancer, Celine Dion...

-- Modified on 4/10/2011 4:06:24 AM

-- Modified on 4/10/2011 4:17:35 AM

Nice link.

Not.

I had to follow a couple of other links then do a text search of Bertrand Russel Wikipedia page to find the link to the Cosmic Teapot.

Here is the correct link:

the things we hold so dear and precious, which we should, are probably of little significance to God

(Yes, folks this is all theoretical, I do not have his phone number).

Remember, a being with the power over life and death, what difference would death mean to him? It's like watching a kid think his world is ending because he dropped his ice cream cone. As an adult, you just get another one. No big deal...

Sad things happen every day. God does not jump in and intervene in them. But if you do believe in the here-after, that is where the real rewards take place. This life is just a temporary stop over.
If you do not believe in God, then you don't believe in the concept of a heaven which is why the conecpt of death is so horrifying to you.

to live in danger zones.

Interesting theory. Reminds me of that Robert Heinlein quote.

This is another problem with the whole concept of God. Empirical evidence we have contradicts the whole idea, so you have to make up more and more convoluted theories to explain away the empirical evidence.

And its not just the death. Its the immeasurable pain, suffering, and horror of these events. There are very likely many people who have to live their entire lives maybe not even knowing what happened to their loved ones. Many people are traumatized or maimed for life.

And yes, because I know this life is all there is, it is that much more precious to me. Even other people's lives are of irreplaceable value.

If you think that THAT is a good reason to believe in God, then there is no way for us to see eye to eye on this. The only reason to believe anything is empirical evidence and the way we integrate it into broader ideas. There is no way to fit the concept of God into that.

-- Modified on 4/11/2011 5:31:34 AM

I like the way the ancient greeks can really put their finger on it.


"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?