Jar's belief statement- Part 2

First, I do NOT justify birth defects. I believe they are often a tragedy. They are though part of the same evolutionary process that gave us brains and so while unfortunate, not at all cruel. In addition, that process is what has given us the brains and talent to do much about things like birth defects, and everyday they become less and less of a problem.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Your God appears to be very limited in ability. I would have thought God would have been able to figure out a way to develop life that was less mistake-prone. He appears to be incompetent.

That all depends on what you think GODs purpose might be. If it is that life continue, as I believe it is, the system is near perfect. As conditions change, there are critters that can survive. In addition, it has led to remarkable variety of living things that have existed contiuously now for something like 3.5 Billion years or maybe even longer.Also, as I said, the system also provided a method to ameliorate the bad effects of birth defects and hopefully someday eliminate them as needed.I find that makes more sense, (and remember, this discussion began when you asserted that my belief was just sentimental, an assertion you seem to have abandoned entirely as usual), than some theology that blames all on some Fall. Edited by jar, : apallin spallin

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Why should there be any birth defects in the first place? These constant accusations of my changing the topic or something is nonsense. You betray the sentimentality of your beleif in this latest post. It takes 3 billion years for this God to make a start on fixing the situation of human suffering? And you call this "near-perfect"? That's sentimentality.

Well, that is both a total misrepresentation of what I have said as well as a totally absurd statement in its own right.The system is self correcting. The system works. The system has been working jess fine for at least 3 billion years.If you look way back in the message I posted that you quotemined an out of context piece from, I said: Message 173 for the whole message.You neglected to include the second half of the sentence.You also ignored the part that I posted dealing with the issue of Sentimentality but I will repeat myself for your benefit.I guess some theology where the blame lies not in the individual but some fantasy Fall is not sentimental?Some theology where folk claim "it's a sinful world" is not sentimental?Some "it's not MY fault" theology is not sentimental?Some theology where "I'm saved and you aren't, nah-nah-nah" is not sentimental?I accept the universe as it is, do not pretend it is as I wish it were. Human suffering is primarily caused by two things, natural processes and human behavior. Many birth defects are the direct result of human behavior. We can change that behavior. Others are due to the same process that allows life to evolve and continue. Sorry, that is reality. The process is neither good nor bad, it is the process.People can change their behavior, and we can also do more and more everyday to ameliorate human suffering. Again, that is in OUR hands.It seems to me that any other position, blame GOD as an example, is the sentimental position. You seem to believe otherwise and that is fine, I have never tried to change anyones beliefs or position.All I can do is try to present my best case for my beliefs. If you find them un-compelling that too is fine.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

No, there have been many disasters. Birth defects, diseases, etc. It has not been "jess fine." I granted that. One can always say that humans screw up a lot and cause their own suffering, although modern science has been eating away at that a bit. Sometimes we can't help what we do. It's genetics. I'm not sure that that is accurate theology. According to traditional theology, we are individually responsible. As Paul says, "We sinned in Adam." This makes no sense to me, being a nihilist, but let's get our theology right. I'm not sure what theology of the Christian variety would claim that. I don't think I would call that SENTIMENTAL. The opposite really. True, but that doesn't say much for your God, who would allow such events to occur. Well, I'm always trying to change people's beliefs. It's one of my hobbies.This "New Age" Christianity, Jar, will not do. Instead of talking about the central issue--the fact of human suffering--you try to slur it over by proclaiming how beautiful and awesome everything is and how wonderful the "system" of evolution is. The atheists like this sort of talk because at least these NewAgers accept scientific data and are willing to allow evolution to be taught in the schools. They are willing to put up with the illogicality of what you are proclaiming, because it is NICE and POLITICALLY CORRECT.God's in his heaven and all's right with the world. Let's not try to
"change people's beliefs." That would not be NICE.

Now, from my own point of view, I really don't give a damn if evolution is taught in the schools or not. It might be kind of fun if the Congress passed an amendment banning teaching of evolution in any school. Then we could get together for secret "evolution parties" and whisper scandalous evolutionary thoughts to each other while sipping our whiskey sours. We could be part of the "underground movement."Sounds exciting.

Honestly, the best athiest Christian apologist I know. Remarkable. But you weaken here: This is a non sequitur. It doesn't matter if your a nihilist in order for this to make sense in the context of Christianity. It helps your case to avoid non sequiturs. Otherwise you get a pile on. LMAO - for sheer spot on-edness. You have been oft accused of being a fifth columist Christian. Within a nats whisker of being seconded, thirded.. whatever...by me Therein the RobinProblem perhaps. You would agree that if true a Christian cannot change their position. And the theology says they know it can be true. Whereas yours cannot demonstrate itself to be true in principle. Except by dying of course - but then you wouldn't be around to know its true then either.Ever consider changing your hobby to "having my beliefs changed"?

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Now, from my own point of view, I really don't give a damn if evolution is taught in the schools or not.

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Coming from a so-called college instructor, that is disappointing.

We've been through this before, but I will remind you again.
You should not sin in your anger. It would be a sin to kill anyone. Sins are forgiven. Whether it is murder or not, remains to be seen.The test of your faith is relying on God to set the situation straight, instead of taking matters into your own hands. no.

I am saying it was both. He was like that for a long time, yet it was when I felt what I felt, that he took his life shortly there after. Gave me chills.To me his whole life, he was trapped by bad spirits, that could have started with his childhood, or his parents. Yes, I feel bad about it, but those people were all to themselves, and very difficult to get along with. We try to be friendly with his wife who is now all screwed up.The way the world is these days, you can't seem to have healthy relationships as easily with your nieghbors anymore. Instead of typing to me on the internet, maybe you should be on your front porch talking with your nieghbors, and saving all the crazy people from killing themselves, instead of finger pointing at Christians. Maybe the joke is on you. Being convinced that it doesn't exist makes you safe, doesn't it?

THAT's the spirit. Evolution speakeasies. Probably make more converts that way. Better not give them ideas.

Yup. Sure does.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

You mean you didn't know? I'll check with your nearest cell.Oh, and watch out for those Christians sucking up. They think they've salted your tail.Next thing you know, you'll be full of regrets and condescension.

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no.

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How is it not?