In article <1195074898.691540.92220@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> skyeyes
<skyeyes@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes:
> On Nov 14, 12:27 pm, "rockymt" <rock...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> > When a Believer, a follower of Christ is faced with a crisis in
his/her
> > life; when he/she has just experience a grave disappointment or has
just
> > received news of a tragedy, a job loss, a spouse has broken the
news.,"
> > its over, I want a divorce". A teenage child is hanging on by a thread
to
> > life due to a drug over-dose - the list goes on - they ask this
similar
> > question to the God they believe: "where are you! How could you let
this
> > happen. if you're an all powerful deity, then do something" We
believers cry
> > out, even shake our fist at an image of Christ, a cross or crucifix. "
and
> > say,"God where are You - do something!" God understands this response.
> >
> > This is the fallen condition all humanity is in. We believers and
> > non-believers alike are in the same boat. We are like 'doubting
Thomas'
> > wanting answers, and saying to ourselves, "where, are the answers
then. Show
> > me! Unless I have specific proof, I will not believe."
> > Even Christians, who have trusted in God doubt, shake our fist and
grow
> > weary serving in this God that promises, " I will never leave you nor
> > forsake you."
> >
> > We Christians have to keep going on despite the clouds of darkness and
doubt
> > that gather about and brood over us. Yet we dare to keep the faith. We
get
> > angry because we don't have answers, and in that moment of extreme
darkness
> > in our journey of life, we fail, but somehow recover and believe in
our
> > heart God will walk us through this.
> >
> > Non -believers say, "go on and show me. Where, where is this god."
Show me
> > a thread of proof, show me the evidence. Where was your god when ....
": so
> > similar really.
> > I sense they hurt almost the same as Christians do. They shake their
fist,
> > say things in the heat of that moment. However they say it to those
> > Christians (Christ -bearers) who are being made more and more in the
image
> > and likeness of God. It is like down deep in their heart they want to,
> > really want to believe... without demanding answers first. It's like
they
> > hurt in just the same way as we Christians do
> >
> > My conclusion:
> >
> > I am not here to here to pass judgement on anyone . Nor am I here to
convert
> > anyone: that is not my job. I don't have the mind of a scientists or a
> > naturalist. I am here to encourage all unbelievers to ponder this
existence
> > and
> > maybe look within ourselves.
> > take care .. you'll,
> > rockymt
>
> You are *so* misinformed. Please try to wrap your head around what we
> actually say, rather than what your fundy handlers tell you we think,
> 'kay?
>
> I have had quite a few crises in my adult life - people I love have
> died, I have gotten divorced, etc., etc., but *never* have I squalled
> "WHY??" That's because there *is* no "why." People die.
> Relation****ps fail. Illnesses strike. That's called "life." There's
> nothing causing these things to happen "for a reason." Things have
> always been like this, and they always *will* be like this. Looking
> for a supernatural cause is just emotional masturbation - and it's a
> symptom of extreme ego.
>
> Atheists are atheists because *there's no evidence that ANY god
> exists.* Including yours. It has nothing to do with being "mad at
> god," or disappointed, or hurt, or in any kind of psychic distress.
> It's a matter of evidence - of which there is *none*. It's not a
> matter of "wanting" to believe or not believe. It's more a matter of
> inability to believe given the lack of evidence. Some of us value our
> intellectual integrity enough that we can't make ourselves believe in
> things that aren't real. You obviously don't have this problem.
>
> Brenda Nelson, A.A.#34
> EAC Professor of Feline Thermometrics and Cat-Herding
> skyeyes at dakotacom dot net
>
I'm always powerfully struck, when some tragedy occurs --
and life, inevitably, is tragedy -- how many people
genuinely suffer the most from having their sense
of "why" upset. Such great pain and loss cries
out for an explanation. Why did this happen? How
could this have happened to her?
I do not have this reaction myself, but I certainly
cannot deny the hurt I see this
bewilderment inflicting on others. And
so I wonder: are atheists as a group not subject
to this particular torment? And if they are
somewhat immune, is it their atheism which allows
them not to anguish over what seems to others
a sudden and treacherous change of rules? Or
was this already their inherent nature, to not see life
as a story that must play out according to
the conventions of children's stories, and thus
it was this trait which made them uninterested
in belief systems in which everything happens
for some human-centered reason?
-- cary
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