What's your opinion on the philosophy behind this (see details please)?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArImENmb2zdkzQLdsDEAQufsy6IX?qid=20060825133838AAxmWbP

Here's a question I posted about the story of Abraham, where God asks him to kill his son as proof of his total devotion. The answers I received from Christians basically said they're ok with this test, since God did stop him and didn't really want him to kill his own son.

So, it's ok for a god to require so much trust that a believer goes against such a strong belief in his heart (i.e. not wanting to kill)? I don't understand how anyone could believe in a god that wants this type of person following their religion. What do you think?

Your opinion please. No preaching and telling me to convert. Thank you.

Answer 1

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a difficult one. Have you read Fear and Trembling by Kierkegaard? It might be useful in teasing out some of the strands of the arguments.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me either, but I usually just content myself with the fact that Christianity is not my faith, so I don't have to make sense of it.

Answer 2

I feel The bible ahould never be taken literally, in this I mean that some of the storys are just that, they can be used to teach and allow man to take into account their own thoughts on love and faith. I am not a christian but it is my belief, that because so many use the term "God Fearing" that they believe love and faith is something that can be gained through a sense of quilt, fear ect.to We should all take into account the age in time these books were written, who wrote them and how they became the bible. We really shouldn't discredit God and Jesus just because society wrote these books and decided which ones would become a part of it and because society decided that the ones we chose would become the word of God. I personally do not believe in tests by God, one he knows my heart and two, even if i don't realize how far i would go for him, the fact remains, i would....

Answer 3

I think it would take a very, very strong and stable individual to even come close to sacrificing their child. Abraham, was spared, as you know of actually killing his son. The whole concept behind him even going up to the stone in the first place, was for God to see just what a true believer he really was.

God spared their lives simply because of Abrahams belief and faith. He proved, in that instant, just exactly how far he would go to show his love and dedication to the Lord.
God never intended in the first place for the son to die. But he picked Abraham to in a way, say, "Hey, you really do love me that much." "I also love you that much that I will give your son back to you and because you obeyed me, all of your decendants forever will be blessed."

I would rather have people walking around on Earth, who are prepared to do anything for the Lord, versus do things in the name of their nation, or their worldy lifestyles.

Your point has been a pleasure to argue. Thank you!

Answer 4

I think that god might have been preaching a lie to find out what was in the heart of Abraham (or Hibrahim), because that God did not know that before but now he knows.

Answer 5

This is why I am agnostic. I think that God, a truly loving, all knowing, all powerful God wouldn't be so hypocritical. He supposedly says to not murder and yet he asked Abramham to do that in order to test his faith....um, sounds like bull to me. Religions are man made...nothing else in my opinion. A good way to get through the day but I perfer to just be a good person and trust whoever is up there to be fair and TRULY kind.

Answer 6

in case you do no longer choose to play soccer and your heart isn't in it, then end doing it. while you at the instant are not any good at it besides, you at the instant are not letting your team down. you're suited that no longer all human beings is a soccer participant. An aggressive and violent game like that calls for a definite physique of ideas and point of testosterone which you do no longer seem to have. you're likely in basic terms going to get harm with the help of going accessible no longer desiring to do it. Have the braveness to do what your heart is telling you to do - that's learn Aikido. Your teammates won't like it and that they'd tease you and supply you distinctive verbal abuse over it. that is why it takes braveness to no longer in basic terms flow alongside with what different persons choose you to do. you will by no ability flow incorrect following your heart and your yearnings - that's the variety you're led on your destiny. in case you do no longer stick to what you recognize you fairly need, then what are you doing? in basic terms following alongside with what somebody else needs to do. that is no longer clever. all human beings has their own direction in existence. Your heart is telling you violence isn't the way for you, stability and serenity is the way for you. in case you attempt to flow against it, it would desire to coach you the lesson in a extra unfavorable way, like a disabling harm which will make it impossible so you might play soccer. one way or yet another, you would be removed from a project you at the instant are not meant to be in. So do it the easy and comfortable way. the only authentic practise you will ever have on your existence will come from what your heart needs. stick to it and you will by no ability remorseful approximately it.

Answer 7

This is another problem with religion, the contradictions. Not sure anyone thinks about this story from Issac's point of view. Not sure he would view God as loving, for asking his father to kill him. I am not sure how he wouldn't be traumatized by the experience. If some one did this today we would consider it torture. We would all be horrified. How is it that we humans are now more moral than God? This story is way to simplistic to be real. Just more evidence the Bible is fiction. No God, no problem

Answer 8

It's not about God wanting Abraham to kill his son. It's about God seeing how much faith and trust Abraham has in Him. The killing part of the story is irrelevant; it has to do with the strength of Abraham's trust that God has a reason for asking that of him.

Answer 9

aside from it being a test of his faith,it just shows his complete trust in God to deliver him from this trial.that the Lord would not lead anyone to sin even if it looks that way coz we only see a part of the picture but He sees it entirely.

Answer 10

It is okay that God first asked this, but then sent one of his angels to stop Abraham from slaying Isaac (he did send an angel, didn't he?).
BUT as long as YOU know it in your heart that KILLING IS WRONG, then it is good.