Should people be punished for the alleged sins of their great-grandfathers?...and does that include ones that are very pious and "good"?...according to the Bible are they doomed regardless?
2006-10-27 05:49:19 · 21 answers · asked by kissmybum 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sarah-I found it in the KJV of the Bible
Exodus 20:5-6
5. Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me 6. And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
2006-10-27 06:30:50 · update #1
Gary...you are mistaken...it does not state that.
2006-10-27 06:32:10 · update #2
uh... no, where did you get that from? please show me??
2006-10-27 05:53:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is the religion thatatributessome characters to god consistent with the culture and thought of the person who created the principles of any partiucular religon. so it depends on the intelligence of the persons who made threligon religons .People who lived long time ago were not as intelligent as a high school studetn of these days in many respects .
the principles of mosrelionsseem to be the criminal penal code of certainspecific societies and when somebody takes efort to thrust his principles onsomebody else problem arises.The over entusiam of the religious practitioners are driving people to extent of doubting and hating religions .in theolden days threats were adminitered tocompel people to abide by certainregulaions .thereligonsalso employed the same tactics in spreading thier views. Soforet toseaspects which are prim facie contray to reason , in any religion.Take the good aspects alone ifthey are oundto be useful. Even in the case of a fruit,you eat only the protions that are good andpalatable and throw away the rest towaste .Wedothe same in everything in life .
2006-10-27 06:05:25 · answer #2 · answered by diamond r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but there is some logic to this. If your great grandad didn't follow God, then he probably taught your grandfather not to also, and he probably taught your father the same, and he probably taught you the same.
The punishment is a natural action of men, not God. Of course there are exceptions, people who turn from "the ways of their fathers" to God are immensely blessed - check out Abraham.
thanks
2006-10-27 06:08:13 · answer #3 · answered by daisyk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is directed at a nation, not just individuals.
If the nation left Jehovah, the whole nation suffered which would include grandparents, fathers, sons and grandsons.
If the nation served Jehovah the whole nation was blessed.
2006-10-27 06:00:08 · answer #4 · answered by TeeM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you people would delve deeper into the bible, you would find that particular passage in some of the older books, but since Jesus died for our sins, this no longer holds true. Anyone can be saved now by the blood of Jesus.
2006-10-27 05:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by stullerrl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is an artificial punishment, but a natural consequence. Parents teach their children by their own behavior. If you have a group of people that are really wicked, it is unlikely that their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will be unaffected (either by sinning themselves or by the consequence of that sin... war, famine, murdering, lying, cheating, etc.)
2006-10-27 05:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by Shanna J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason is that one has direct influence over his descendents up til 4 generations, including himself...so to great-grandchildren. Thus, if one directs his descendants in way contrary to God's, then that person is held responsible. Beyond that, it's out of their control.
2006-10-27 05:55:33 · answer #7 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The God of the OT has the temper of a 6 year old child.
2006-10-27 05:57:16 · answer #8 · answered by skeptic 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a figure of speech. It's not litteral. For that matter, He also says He will pour out His blessings to 1,000 generations on those who honor Him. That is probably also a figure of speech, but look at the comparison.
2006-10-27 05:57:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It simply means that every action, whether good or bad, will have its effect, which will spread in time and space. Do something good --its effect will reach the ends of time and the ends of the universe. Do something evil-- its effect also will reach the ends of the time and the ends of the universe.
2006-10-27 06:00:37 · answer #10 · answered by John 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Isaiah 55:8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
2006-10-27 05:54:35 · answer #11 · answered by Dr. Linder 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋