CHRISTANS: God killed 42 innocent little children as ordered by Elisha – Why do you defend these butchers?

Question

Your God has no problem literally tearing the flesh of small children for doing what many little children do. The don’t know any better.

2 Kings 2:23-24. "23. And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them."

God's ego was so bruised that he decided to butcher children who naturally mock and play! Efforts are made by apologists to say that the world for "children" can be translated "young men." If this is true, I must ask what young men would find funny about a bald man to the extent that they mock him publicly? This is something children, only small children, would do, and thus, it shows how intolerant and ferocious the god of the bible really is.

Congratulations Christians: You worship a child-murder.

If you have a daughter or son, turn and take a look at him/her. Is this a being worthy of your obedience?

Fist of all, no one is supporting their claims that they were youths rather than children.

Either way, they were still young and guilty only of mockery. God is still pathetic and small for killing them.

Answer 1

blah blah blah

Answer 2

Every single time I have researched an incident in the Bible that seemed shady, I have always, always found "oh, so THAT'S the other side or explanation."

Now, when I see examples like this, I know beforehand that there is a clear and understandable explanation for it, I just have to go find it.

I don't know yet why this happened, I will see what I can find out, but I do know this. God is God. He has His own reasons. He loves humanity.

Ok, I read it. The word "youth" is used in the NIV translation. There is the support.

Elisha had just lost his best friend and mentor and was now alone to face a Godless nation on God's behalf. He had also just gone through a water purification for the people of Jericho, so their land would flourish. He starts out for Bethel and a gang of street thugs begin to harass him. Judging from the standards of the people of that area, those kids were probably intending to do much more than call him names.

Looks to me like God did their town a favor by eliminating those hoods, plus He made a very powerful point to everyone to leave Elisha alone. He had work to do.

As I read it, it taught me to never disrespect or taunt a messenger of God. He evidently doesn't like it. A lot.

Answer 3

First, you are assuming that the two bears were sent by God. Interesting assumption -- the text doesn't say that.

I think the point here is: think before you curse someone.

Just as Buddhism teaches that enlightenment begins with Right Aspiration and continues with Right Thought as well as Right Action, we need to guard our hearts and minds against hate. We need to remember God's love for all his children, even when you want to curse 42 little "brats" making fun of you. Don't give in to your anger and curse them. Something truly awful could happen.

Another important point not to miss: even the prophets of God can fall into sin and evil. If a prophet is susceptible, how much more careful I need to be!

I recommend you use a study bible, which explains some of the historical context. It also will explain that most Christians don't believe the Bible was intended to be a science book, a historical documentary, or a book of saints whose examples we must follow (in many cases the characters of the Bible are used as bad examples!) But in any case, don't stop reading it! And don't stop asking questions. God honors you for your honest search for truth, Atheist Radio.

Answer 4

You ask this question of "CHRISTIANS", and I believe that you will find that most Christians take their spiritual beliefs from the New Testament, rather than the Old, the source of your query.

But back to the premise of your question. Yeah, that is shocking. You'd think that the she bears might get one or two, but what were the children thinking, that 42 of 'em might stay around and get tore up so?

For example, when you set out to deliberately mock others, either for their bald heads, or for their spirituality, do you do so confidently, knowing there are no bears in the vicinity? What about buses or cars driven by maniacs?
Perhaps this is just proof of "Instant Karma", to these kiddos. and since Karma usually takes a slower path toward correction and balance, perhaps one should consider that what one says hurtful today, may come back to bite one's hiney next month, next year.

Isn't Baseball just the greatest game ever??

Answer 5

you sound like a hateful muslim.... only a muslim could completely NOT understand the bible... and think about sex and death all the time....

These were not children, but infidels and idolatrous young men in their late teens or twenties. ( Gen 22:12: 37:2: 1 King 20:14,15) . These youths were sarcastically taunting and insulting the Lord's prophet.....they were old enough to be held repsonsible for their hateful behavior...and so God punished them....

Unlike another "god" of the region and of modern times, the God of the bible does not allow hateful, mocking behavior like this..

Answer 6

appears like your question could bypass hand in hand with those: Why are toddlers born blind, deaf, lacking limbs, and so on.? Why do stable human beings go through at an analogous time as many undesirable human beings smash out with poor deeds and stay properly? Why can we've catastrophes at the same time with earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and so on., wherein thousands and thousands go through and perish? Why does God enable those issues ensue? i'm going to shop this short. in the process the cases of Adam and Eve, those issues weren't think to ensue to them, nor their offspring. They have been think to stay continually, unfastened from suffering, in paradise. of path, they disobeyed, have been given the boot from paradise, and had to toil for each thing and go through with what the worldwide has to grant out. Their bodies would now no longer be proper, and would decay and die. All their offspring would inherit those defects, for this reason the themes we've today. God does promise a time whilst he will opposite this path sometime interior the destiny. of path, issues are prophecised to worsen earlier they get greater desirable. we will see as time keeps.

Answer 7

This God did not like youths/young children mocking at his bald head and so got them mauled by bears. So followers of this Lord ! it is your duty to instantly kill any one who mocks at you for any thing let it be your hair, your nose, your gait or your colour because you will be only doing what the God himself did once. Great indeed.

Answer 8

Hello.. :)

We worship a Loving God..what ever comes from ones mouth is within their hearts..this cannot be denied..

Have not ever seen teenagers poking fun of others..of course we all have, we once were young ourselves..

Again here is someone that is blaming God for the actions of others..cannot anyone stand up for their own mistakes, without putting the blame on someone else..

At least we as believers do not blame someone else for our own mistakes or actions..that is called taking responsibility..

Why did you not mention abortion, to which many Christians believe is murder of innocent lives, which have not even been given the chance to live.. :(

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 9

these were rouge youths, not innocent children as you imply. and unless you were there as a witness to this, then you need to find something more constructive to do with your time other than bible bash unless this is all that you are capable of. you seem pretty limited in your thinking, are all your listeners this limited. have fun with this, because nothing you can say about me can hurt me in any way. have a blessed day , and may you find the truth some day.

Answer 10

Wait one minute!

It was NOT young children!...sorry...but YOUTHS!

If anyone would mock...it's young men!...not small children.
YOU ARE TOTALLY WRONG!!!
YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT YOUNG MEN OR YOUTHS!
get your facts right!
Then come on here, instead of slandering....You are way too
Transparent!
Trying to make trouble...so you can have a cheap Shot!

Answer 11

An atheist reading the Bible, ain't that something. I guess you haven't read about Him destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. Who are you to question what God does?!! This is HIS WORLD He made it. I don't think He owes you an explanation as to what He does.