Religion
Related: About this forumSo God sent his only son
who was also God himself, to complete change how people worship. Creating a revolutionary new religion. Right?
But he couldn't be bothered while he was overturning everything people believed to end things like slavery, executions. women's servitude, etc...
The excuse is "that is how times were" flies in the face that Jesus was meant to change how times were.
When you set out to change the world, maybe just saying that we have to look at the times when it happened isn't really a good excuse.
Harker
(14,976 posts)Lunabell
(6,861 posts)But I dont like his followers.
edhopper
(34,890 posts)slavery? Was slavery okay with God? He comes to Earth just once and doesn't want some horrendous things changed? Why?
Lunabell
(6,861 posts)Dont jump down my throat!
edhopper
(34,890 posts)just extending the conversation.
JustFiveMoreMinutes
(2,133 posts)Mariana
(15,144 posts)Racist, sexist, destructive, violent, and selfish.
msfiddlestix
(7,824 posts)But the rationalizations are pretty special..
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Without free will, there is no choice.
edhopper
(34,890 posts)that counts for nothing to God?
So if a man owns 100 slaves, his free will is more important that that of the 100 slaves, who did not choose top be slaves.
And of course your answer does not address the immorality of slavery. Because if God did not condemn slavery, then the "free will" of the slavery owner does not come into play at all. Why would he think about the morality of slave owning if God endorses it? Why would he choose not to own slaves and why would God punish him for it?
Eko
(8,495 posts)All people have to do is say things like "free will" or "its god's will" and it answers every problematic question about the christian god out there. Sheesh, get with the program man.
Added just in case.
edhopper
(34,890 posts)"mysterious ways"
knew I was forgetting something.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)It does not mean that one is free of burdens.
is that meaningless and have nothing to do with the question.
guillaumeb
(42,649 posts)Your position basically requires a controlling deity, and that control by definition removes any free will.
edhopper
(34,890 posts)I didn't say God/Jesus should have abolished slavery by fiat, I said he should have said something to show he was opposed to it. He did not.
Are you saying Jesus and God gave no moral instruction?
How does free will to choose to between good and evil work if God doesn't tell you which is which?
hurl
(979 posts)The deity character makes all sorts of attempts to interfere with free will using commands like don't mix fabrics, don't shave sideburns, don't eat shellfish, don't allow people with flat noses to approach the altar... Throwing in something about not owning people would have been no more intrusive on free will than telling women to stay quiet in church. That deity shows little regard for free will, even meting out punishment for those who exercise it in unapproved ways.
A non-controlling deity is an intriguing concept, but it's not the one depicted in those particular holy books.
To me, they are just examples of people misinterpreting their own cultural prejudices and norms as divine command, with no indication of supernatural inspiration.