Y'know, I'm glad she was able to stop a destructive habit.

[conuly]

Really. But... I don't know. It's always seemed a little arrogant, mihi, to attribute everything good to God. No, really. Instead of being humble (I couldn't've done it without His help!") it sounds more like "God took the time to help me. I'm very special because of this. If you aren't being helped by God, it's because there's something wrong with you".

And something else. If God is running around stopping people from smoking and tanning and eating too much, why isn't he also stopping them from being hateful, robbing the poor, and killing each other? Or aren't those important enough to merit God's personal interference?

Comments

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

If God is running around stopping people from smoking and tanning and eating too much, why isn't he also stopping them from being hateful, robbing the poor, and killing each other

Because they didn't ask for God's help. Humans have free will, and some exercise that free will in ways that hurt other humans. It would be nice if God stopped them from doing that, but sadly, God doesn't. If God did, we wouldn't have had to live with the B.C. Liberals for the past four years.

[wodhaund.livejournal.com]

Hypothetical question, and please don't take it the wrong way, it's just something I've personally been struggling with, and am trying to get as many answers as I can:

If humans have "free will", then this would indicate a lack of control on God's part, but since God, being a god, has complete control, wouldn't that indicate that we do not truly have "free will"?

If this is the case, and we do not really have free will, it seems like a logical following that God rather expects us to act as we do, or otherwise puppets us about the Earth, which would mean he could indeed stop all the evil in the world quite easily. Since God does not, and this is apparently evident of our "free will", then God does not have complete control and is, therefore, not really a god, yes?

Then, to say that the evil in the world is a result of our "free will" that it exists so that we may learn about God seems contradictory, as God is, being a god, in complete control...

Well...That last part really doesn't make any sense - although that's likely the result of too little sleep and a deep, pressing desire for a ham sandwich - but I hope the rest makes a little sense at least.

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

I really can't answer. I can say "humans have free will" and that God doesn't control us, but I'm not God, and I'm not in God's mind, so I really can't say. The Bible is not terribly clear on this point, and God doesn't seem inclined to clear it up.

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Well where does it say God has complete control? I don't think that is the definition of God.

[l33tminion]

What about natural disasters and disease? (Not that the free will theodicy works with regards to human caused suffering, but it more clearly doesn't work with suffering caused by nature.)

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

I honestly don't know. Maybe it's a design flaw.

[l33tminion]

An omnipotent being that makes mistakes?

Seriously, though, maybe it's not a design.

[rainbow-goddess.livejournal.com]

You believe what you believe. I'll believe what I believe. I won't criticize your beliefs if you don't criticize mine.

[l33tminion]

*shrugs*