"God is all merciful," we hear quite often. Wouldn't it be more merciful of God to simply snap sinners out of existence rather than send them to hell? Or better yet, since he's all-knowing, not allow them to be born at all?
2006-07-18 09:15:19 · 18 answers · asked by IRunWithScissors 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ON GOD'S LOVE & HELL
1.) God's love is superlative.
2.) God's love of man exceeds man's love of self.
3.) Man's love of self prohibits torture.
4.) Considering God's greater love for us, Hell (eternal torture) is illogical.
2006-07-18 09:15:44 · update #1
No, you're 100% correct. I like your 4 step argument, I've never seen that before. Here's another:
Infinite punishment for finite sins:
God is perfectly just, and yet he sentences the imperfect humans he created to infinite suffering in hell for finite sins. Clearly, a limited offense does not warrant unlimited punishment. God's sentencing of the imperfect humans to an eternity in hell for a mere mortal lifetime of sin is infinitely more unjust than this punishment. The absurd injustice of this infinite punishment is even greater when we consider that the ultimate source of human imperfection is the God who created them. A perfectly just God who sentences his imperfect creation to infinite punishment for finite sins is impossible.
2006-07-18 09:17:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what Christians or Jews believe, but in Islam, God IS the most merciful. The fact that He has given us the ability to show mercy to one another is part of his mercy.
But that is not to say that he isn't swift in dealing punishment.
As for why he doesn't simply wipe sinners off the face of the Earth, it's a test that they are doomed to fail when Judgement Day rolls around. This world is a life of luxury and comfort, and God places people in it, knowing how hard it will be to resist temptations. Angels worship and do God's bidding day in and day out, without hesitation or protest. God expects mankind to do the same, and those who don't, they are free to ignore the consequences and pursuit worldly happiness.
2006-07-18 09:51:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell is completely illogical. Burning in torment for eternity profits nobody. Not the sinner. Not God.
Since man is God's creation it is even more illogical.
God makes man to be imperfect.
Man acts imperfectly.
God punishes man eternally.
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam are much more logical. Temporary punishment and then freedom to try again. This could allow progression.
Do you punish your child eternally and infinitely for their mistakes? No, you allow them to learn and grow and try again not to make the same mistakes.
2006-07-18 09:22:28 · answer #3 · answered by theogodwyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God's mercies are new every morning!
He could but that's not in His plan. God sees the whole picture that we do not see or understand and He's God, He knows what He's doing. God gives us free-will to make our own decisions. We can choose to be obedient and by doing so we get the great reward, or we can rebel and pay the consequence.
2006-07-18 09:25:44 · answer #4 · answered by krisx42 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are dealing with some oversimplifications
God is merciful and longsuffering, we are all sinners and if he zapped the sinners we;d all be toast. Mercy however is only one attribute of God.
God's ultimate passion is for His Glory
God's glory includes showing His power in creation, His justice, His mercy and his faithfulness
But chief of these is glorifying Himself showing mercy and God comands that we love mercy and God shows ultimate mercy of salvation to the redeemed.
2006-07-18 09:21:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once again, you are using your opinion to measure God's character. God is not measured against what would we do or what we think is "fair". God's ways are not our ways, they are higher than our ways.
If the bible says God is merciful, He is. You think He is not because there will be people in hell. Okay...you have that opinion and you have a right to it.
But you need to draw a distinction between a man's opinion of God....and God Himself. We are not the judge of Him just because we don't understand all His ways. And I mean that in all friendship.
2006-07-18 10:02:06 · answer #6 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He made Adam and Eve's generation disappear and He created new souls through Noah. The people that came from Adam and Eve's time will never return. Read Genesis my friend. God will wipe out those people when He returns to Earth. You will see!
2006-07-18 09:19:27 · answer #7 · answered by curious_boricua_soul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
II Kings 2:23-24 and Rev 21:8 say "no"
2006-07-18 09:19:19 · answer #8 · answered by bobkgin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you turn to him he will be Merciful.. He doesn't force himself in. Also sin is sin, and the wages for it is death(aka Hell), Death is not temproary.
He's like a father, he'll stop grounding you if you follow his rules and be nice, but he has to ground you if you do rude stuff.
2006-07-18 09:25:57 · answer #9 · answered by remmus2k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO you call someone that cursed an entire nation with 10 plagues because of 1 stubborn pharoah MERCIFUL?????
2006-07-18 09:18:44 · answer #10 · answered by karkondrite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋