Why doesn’t a religious person ever believe that the god they’re worshipping is an evil god?

I mean, I’m surprised there is no one who believes their god is evil and worships him due to fear of punishment. Instead they all say their god is loving, yet follow all his rules due to fear of punishment otherwise.

I don’t think I’m explaining myself very well here, I hope you get the just of what I’m asking.

quote:Originally posted by Adrenochrome:

Why doesn’t a religious person ever believe that the god they’re worshipping is an evil god?

I mean, I’m surprised there is no one who believes their god is evil and worships him due to fear of punishment. Instead they all say their god is loving, yet follow all his rules due to fear of punishment otherwise.

I don’t think I’m explaining myself very well here, I hope you get the just of what I’m asking.



There are only three real motivations to do anything.

1. Fear: Fear of being punished for doing something wrong. How many people have not commited murder for fear of the repercusions? Probably quite alot.

2. Kudos: Doing the right thing because you hope to get something out of it in return.

3. Love: Doing the right thing only because of a deeper understanding of peace that is bestowed on us through love... But it only comes by choice.

I don't think its lost on anyone that they 'might' be worshipping false gods. Let me say this much: I don't think anyone 'worships' God because they fear that He will judge them for it. You can't get people to love something out of fear. If God is real, then He is absolute and His law stands. You have to think about it in the same context of human law if you want to derive a logical answer. What is the purpose of any law? Its to promote peace and justice, not to oppress you. Suppose someone killed your girlfriend, but the judge didn't sentence him. Was justice served? Why was the law even established if there is no follow through?

What about Satanists? In a certain sense they believe that Satan will "take care of them", though certainly not because he's supposed to be all-loving.

quote:Originally posted by hyroglyphx:

Suppose someone killed your girlfriend, but the judge didn't sentence him. Was justice served? Why was the law even established if there is no follow through?

Better yet, supposed someone killed your girlfriend, and the judge sentenced the killer to die. Then the judge decides he doesn't want the killer to die, so he makes the innocent baliff die in his place, so the killer can go free.

Is that justice?



[This message has been edited by Elephantitis Man (edited 04-05-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:

Originally posted by hyroglyphx:

Suppose someone killed your girlfriend, but the judge didn't sentence him. Was justice served? Why was the law even established if there is no follow through?

Better yet, supposed someone killed your girlfriend, and the judge sentenced the killer to die. Then the judge decides he doesn't want the killer to die, so he makes the innocent baliff die in his place, so the killer can go free.

Is that justice?





No. If the judge 'ordered' someone to die in his stead that isn't justice. But if the Baliff gives up his life on behalf of the defendant, that is righteousness for the Baliff unto the law. However, if the defendant does not seek true repentence, then he still stands in judgement.

quote:Originally posted by Adrenochrome:

Why doesn’t a religious person ever believe that the god they’re worshipping is an evil god?

I mean, I’m surprised there is no one who believes their god is evil and worships him due to fear of punishment. Instead they all say their god is loving, yet follow all his rules due to fear of punishment otherwise.

I don’t think I’m explaining myself very well here, I hope you get the just of what I’m asking.



Because as long as the archetypes are followed by an archetypical realm in which existence is placed, they will never condemn themsevles to anything but Heaven. There's neither and it is only what you wish, wishing for only heaven, will indeed create just that.

A selfish, lonely, endless maze of fufillment and probably insanity.

Good thing the bardos of reality are revealed right after death. Because of the current ET based interactions and past life break throughs there will probably be someone to help you right after decarnation as long as you're not so scared you can't speak.

quote:Originally posted by Adrenochrome:

Why doesn’t a religious person ever believe that the god they’re worshipping is an evil god?

Why would you want to be on the side of the bad guy?

quote:Originally posted by The_Rabbi:

Why would you want to be on the side of the bad guy?

For those of you old enough to remember the GI Joe cartoon, remember that the unholy alliance 'Cobra' knew that they were bad and loved the dark side. But in the real world, everyone thinks they are the good guy. No one thinks they are the wrong side of the tracks. An interesting disposition.

quote:Originally posted by hyroglyphx:

No. If the judge 'ordered' someone to die in his stead that isn't justice. But if the Baliff gives up his life on behalf of the defendant, that is righteousness for the Baliff unto the law. However, if the defendant does not seek true repentence, then he still stands in judgement.



We aren't talking about 'repentence', we're talking about justice.

In a trial, a man is found either innocent or guilty. If found guilty, he is sentenced. If a third party serves the sentence for the convicted, and the convicted is allowed to go free without punishment for his crime, has justice been served???

quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:

We aren't talking about 'repentence', we're talking about justice.

In a trial, a man is found either innocent or guilty. If found guilty, he is sentenced. If a third party serves the sentence for the convicted, and the convicted is allowed to go free without punishment for his crime, has justice been served???

A very misunderstood doctrine indeed. Hope this sheds some light on the purpose of the Law, and the Law of grace and how the two are homologous and inseperable.

http://www.carm.org/doctrine/lawgospel.htm

You're avoiding giving a direct answer to my question.

I was a Christian for 20 years. I used to enjoy trying to refute atheistic arguments. Do not think I haven't studied various apologetics.

Speaking bluntly, as that link suggests, the Law functions to show men God's example of perfection which is unattainable by men, to show sinners that they're sinners, and to explain why people need Jesus. It's a massive guilt trip laid down upon humanity in hopes they'll surrender their lives to God.

But this is all quite off topic.

I ask again: If a third party serves the sentence for the convicted, and the convicted is allowed to go free without punishment for his crime, has justice been served???

quote:Originally posted by Elephantitis Man:

You're avoiding giving a direct answer to my question.

I was a Christian for 20 years. I used to enjoy trying to refute atheistic arguments. Do not think I haven't studied various apologetics.

Is it that you were a Christian for 20 years or is that you are 20 years old? There's a big difference being that we need to be born again. Now, don't misunderstand me to say that growing up in Christian ethics isn't important, but if you know as much as you do about Jesus, you'll know that we all need to be born again. Too many ppl think that its some sort of denomination, but it isn't.

Speaking bluntly, as that link suggests, the Law functions to show men God's example of perfection which is unattainable by men, to show sinners that they're sinners, and to explain why people need Jesus. It's a massive guilt trip laid down upon humanity in hopes they'll surrender their lives to God.

Its true that we are imperfect and it may seem unfair that He made us imperfect and dipped in a sinful world. But you also have to remember that He is not the cause of anyone's sin. And if sin is so abhorrent to you, for instance, then don't engage in it. Who among us can honestly say that following what Jesus said would be detrimental? People might actually experience true peace if they would follow God's law, would they not? God, by design, could only be the perfect thing because perfection is only understood by Him. The precedence of perfection is assimilated by Him. I think you can still appreciate that if God is real, He has your invested interests in mind, and "He is mindful that we are but dust."

Woe unto him that strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioned him, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?” (Isaiah 45:9).

Can the clay say to its maker, 'why have you formed me this way?' What right does your canvas have to say to you, the painter, I don't like this drawing you've made?' Can the child say to their parents, "How dare you make me?" Or can the child say, "How dare you make me, only to curse me with your sin?" The child only has the right to say the latter, not the former.

But this is all quite off topic.

I ask again: If a third party serves the sentence for the convicted, and the convicted is allowed to go free without punishment for his crime, has justice been served???

The Judge, in this case being God, has all the right to do as He pleases. And this was His good pleasure to allow for man to atone for what he has done wrong. You also have to remember that God has always had atonement in mind from the beginning through the shedding of blood. God just made Himself the Lamb, the ultimate lamb, to put away sacrificial atonement once and for all. And when He said, "It is finished," He meant it.