On Nov 14, 4:48 pm, c...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Cary Kittrell) wrote:
> In article <1195074898.691540.92...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> skyeyes
<skye...@[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?
I think people try live in their own narrative (religious fantasy in
this case).
And when reality violently clashes with that narrative, they are
jolted more severely.
Basically I think they set themselves up to suffer more than need be.
Effectively they are choosing the short term benefits of blissful
ignorance over the long term benefits of greater awareness.
|
