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Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
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Author | Topic: The God of the Bible is Evil | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
(This is in response to Post 132 by Purpledawn)
The Bible's God is not good at Passover; yet it is celebrated by the Jewish people, and Christians turn a blind eye:
12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. "I will ... smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast." 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. The Passover is an horrific act; it is an act of "evil" by today's standard to kill all the "firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast." And what is with killing the beasts? Edited by Jon Paine, : add phrase Edited by Jon Paine, : to advise that his is in response to Post 132 by Purpledawn
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
You stated in Message 129 that: What I am asserting is that the God as depicted cannot be a realistic model by modern standards. I still need to know realistic model of what? Perhaps depiction is a better word than model. The God as depicted in the Bible cannot be a realistic depiction of a "good God", by any civilized, modern standard. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
Jon, the problem is that people have a misconception about God. They picture God as this old man that is their personal sugar daddy, who is so good that He will not dare punish anybody for disobeying Him. I agree that from the Bible it is easy to infer misconceptions about God (if he exists). . The many verses that you have quoted that you feel demonstrate that God is just and therefore justified in reeking vengeance are really I believe off topic.
As a pastor I hear the comment's often: "If God is such a loving God how can He put anybody in the lake of fire for eternity?" I am glad that you brought this up because, for most of us and certainly IMO this is the most powerful evidence of an evil God. It is a massive overkill.
"How can God allow bad things to happen?" I agree that these complaints do not show that God is evil. These are just Nature's way of equalizing the playing field. Life is not fair. These unhappy situations are not from the Bible, however, which is what this thread is about."Why does God allow so many people to die of starvation?" "Why does God allow so many people to be sick or injured?" Edited by Jon Paine, : change a line
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
If it seems that this thread beats a dead horse, it is only because of the abundance of reference material available. Feel free to comment. I, like many, was taught this stuff literally as a child so you might understand its' significance and resonance for some of us. Simply put again, the God of the Bible is not a nice fellow.
Natural Disasters are God's Wrath: (Nahum 1:2-8 NLT) "The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and wrath. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and furiously destroys his enemies! The LORD is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. At his command the oceans and rivers dry up, the lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wilt. In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed. Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence. The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him. But he sweeps away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He pursues his foes into the darkness of night." Edited by Jon Paine, : Back of topic, 1st para explanation
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
More on the topic "God as depicted in the bible is Evil":
Lot, in a righteous moment, offers his virgin daughters to the mob to do with as they will, rather than surrender two "angels". What does this say about God's family values?
19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: "Bring them out unto us, that we may know them." Two angels are staying at Lot's house when all the men of Sodom come to visit. They ask Lot to bring the angels out so that they can have sex with them. What was the sin of Sodom? 19:5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. Edited by Jon Paine, : put quotes Edited by Jon Paine, : sentence correction
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
Is it right that innocent offspring of a "sinner" be punished unto the third and fourth generation?
Exodus20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
That is an interesting reply. It would not be justice to punish the innocent offspring of a sinner because those offspring are innocent of the sin.
Edited by Jon Paine, : No reason given.
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
It is my opinion that it is a sin to hold children accountable for the sins of their fathers. God, by doing so, is unjust. It is just an opinion, but I expect it is shared by others.
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
So two prophets who supposedly speak for God did not agree with that sentiment. According to the Documentary Hypothesis the J, E, P, and D texts weren't merged until about the time of Ezra. This is very helpful information, of which I was unaware.
So when we look at the reality of the situation, it doesn't sound like the prophets considered the priestly comments to be accurate.... Any evidence it came true in real life? No, but to be fair, as a secularist I see no evidence that God (if he/she exists) intervenes in nature or in human affairs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
Would a good God allow evil acts to be applauded, and used for edification in the Bible. This summary of the verses is from Skeptics Annotated Bible:
(Judges 19:22-30) After taking in a traveling Levite, the host offers his virgin daughter and his guest's concubine to a mob of perverts (who want to have sex with his guest). The mob refuses the daughter, but accepts the concubine and they "abuse her all night." The next morning she crawls back to the doorstep and dies. The Levite puts her dead body on an ass and takes it home. Then he chops the body up into twelve pieces and sends them to each of the twelve tribes of Israel (Parcel Post?). The story, which must be one of the most disgusting stories ever told, ends with: "consider of it, take advice, and speak your mind." Those who do consider it will immediately reject the idea that the Bible is inspired by God. Hopefully, they then will speak their mind. Edited by Jon Paine, : spelling
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Jon Paine Member (Idle past 6101 days) Posts: 65 From: Los Angeles, California Joined: |
You are right; the word "applauded" is inappropriate. I stand corrected. Still the host that offered up these women to be raped is never judged, as far as I can see. And yes, on your advice, I did read the next chapter.
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