Here's something I don't get...

[conuly]

There's a certain type of religious person whose beliefs confuse me.

When something happens they don't like (lots of people starve, kids ask "why did God let this happen", that sort of thing), they say "it's all part of God's plan". If this tragedy is sufficiently distant, it doesn't even matter if it was caused by people, it's "part of the plan".

But if you do something they don't like, you're a horrible sinner who'll be punished. What ever happened to "part of the plan"???

I mean, when God wanted a kid, he knocked up Mary despite the fact that she was still a virgin. So if God really wanted me to have a kid, I'm sure he could arrange it - maybe even change my mind for me.

If I wanted to have a kid, and couldn't, that'd be part of the plan. But since I don't want a kid, I'm a sinner? Maybe it's part of the plan for me to not want kids!

And, if it's part of the plan, how can I in good conscience be punished?

There's something fishy about this whole argument.

I need a course in theology to be able to effectively smite people who use it.

Comments

[cumaeansibyl.livejournal.com]

Eh. "Presuming to know the will of God" is a good standard.

[conuly]

*grins*

a book

[scottrossi.livejournal.com]

there is a funny yet not funny book about this called "the bible tells me so" and it is great. it takes most major issues and uses arguments from the bible for and against them, and shows how people have used that message for their own gain.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's quite simple--those are the people whose "religion" is whatever they feel like doing, and if they don't feel like doing something that's in their "holy scriptures", they merely declare that specific section to be no longer applicable in today's world.

I'm not kidding. Homophobia? Justified by Leviticus. Don't like women who speak their minds? Paul supplies the gag order.

But then you ask them why, if Leviticus is still relevant and applicable, they don't keep kosher? ...and the answer given is that THOSE verses don't apply anymore, and the reason given is always that someone else told them so.

[conuly]

But doesn't this cause problems, mentally? It's all so... Orwellian.

[carakarena.livejournal.com]

I think it's because they believe in free will, and they figure things that supposedly no one willed, it was God's will. If you are gay or have casual sex (http://www.familyfirst.net/famminute/transcripts/2004/trans11-23-2004.html) or are a Buddhist, that is your choice and hence you are choosing to sin. I think this is why they make such a big deal out of the idea that people CHOOSE to be gay -- if they didn't will it, it would be God's will and not a sin.

Not saying it makes sense! But I think that's kind of the warped reasoning.

[blurrygauze.livejournal.com]

I mostly heard the phrase used as "well, there is nothing we can do about it, so we'll make the best of it..."

[ptigga.livejournal.com]

I need a course in theology to be able to effectively smite people who use it.

Nah, you just need a rolled up newspaper to hit them over the head with.

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

the joy of having done such a course is that the rolled up newspaper becomes a rolled up hymn sheet.

[cumaeansibyl.livejournal.com]

Eh. "Presuming to know the will of God" is a good standard.

[conuly]

*grins*

a book

[scottrossi.livejournal.com]

there is a funny yet not funny book about this called "the bible tells me so" and it is great. it takes most major issues and uses arguments from the bible for and against them, and shows how people have used that message for their own gain.

[marveen.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's quite simple--those are the people whose "religion" is whatever they feel like doing, and if they don't feel like doing something that's in their "holy scriptures", they merely declare that specific section to be no longer applicable in today's world.

I'm not kidding. Homophobia? Justified by Leviticus. Don't like women who speak their minds? Paul supplies the gag order.

But then you ask them why, if Leviticus is still relevant and applicable, they don't keep kosher? ...and the answer given is that THOSE verses don't apply anymore, and the reason given is always that someone else told them so.

[conuly]

But doesn't this cause problems, mentally? It's all so... Orwellian.

[carakarena.livejournal.com]

I think it's because they believe in free will, and they figure things that supposedly no one willed, it was God's will. If you are gay or have casual sex (http://www.familyfirst.net/famminute/transcripts/2004/trans11-23-2004.html) or are a Buddhist, that is your choice and hence you are choosing to sin. I think this is why they make such a big deal out of the idea that people CHOOSE to be gay -- if they didn't will it, it would be God's will and not a sin.

Not saying it makes sense! But I think that's kind of the warped reasoning.

[blurrygauze.livejournal.com]

I mostly heard the phrase used as "well, there is nothing we can do about it, so we'll make the best of it..."

[ptigga.livejournal.com]

I need a course in theology to be able to effectively smite people who use it.

Nah, you just need a rolled up newspaper to hit them over the head with.

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

the joy of having done such a course is that the rolled up newspaper becomes a rolled up hymn sheet.