AdminPD, please consider this as a first post?
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There is a closely held belief by all Christians that the God of the Bible is Good. That is what I used to believe as a boy. I have since changed my mind. Please understand that it is not my purpose to be railing against the Creator (if he exists); rather it is my assertion that the Biblical portrayal of him is far less than complimentary. I would appreciate it if those interested in the topic enter into debate on this thread. Our discussion should not have anything to do with the accuracy and inerrancy of scripture, but rather allow for expression of opinion as to whether the actions or commands of the Lord in scripture are suitable to a Deity. I trust that you will follow along in your own Bibles to ensure the accuracy of the text. Please do not respond with Bible quotes to the effect that God is good; we are quite aware of the positive attributes of God (for those who believe in him).
So, here we go and, again, the issue is, are the actions and commands of God as given in the scriptures acts of Goodness, or as I contend, Evil?
I contend that it is Evil to kill innocents; but the Bible says:
quote:
Kill Men, Women, and Children
"Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them all - old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple." So they began by killing the seventy leaders. "Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded. "Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill! Go!" So they went throughout the city and did as they were told." (Ezekiel 9:5-7 NLT)
God Kills all the First Born of Egypt
And at midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. (Exodus 12:29-30 NLT)
Kill Old Men and Young Women
"You are my battle-ax and sword," says the LORD. "With you I will shatter nations and destroy many kingdoms. With you I will shatter armies, destroying the horse and rider, the chariot and charioteer. With you I will shatter men and women, old people and children, young men and maidens. With you I will shatter shepherds and flocks, farmers and oxen, captains and rulers. "As you watch, I will repay Babylon and the people of Babylonia for all the wrong they have done to my people in Jerusalem," says the LORD. "Look, O mighty mountain, destroyer of the earth! I am your enemy," says the LORD. "I will raise my fist against you, to roll you down from the heights. When I am finished, you will be nothing but a heap of rubble. You will be desolate forever. Even your stones will never again be used for building. You will be completely wiped out," says the LORD. (Jeremiah 51:20-26)
quoting from EvilBible.com.
Edited by Jon Paine, : add phrase
Edited by Jon Paine, : add phrase
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Edited by Jon Paine, : wordsmithing
Edited by Jon Paine, : wordsmithing
Edited by Jon Paine, : No reason given.
Edited by Jon Paine, : more wordsmithing