I, and millions of others, donate money to St. Judes Children's hospital. We have compassion for the poor children who are unlucky enough to get cancers, rare diseases, etc. Why these children get sick (and sometimes die) is a mystery, but I've been told that god allows these things to happen to teach all of us lessons.
Obviously, I (and others) do not agree with god's tactics, so we try to save these poor children. Were we to not do this, many, if not most of these children, would die.
So perhaps this compassionate god allows them to get sick, and then demonstrates his compassion by working through me, an atheist, but I prefer to think that I am acting of my own volition. Either way can't be proven.
That said, how exactly does god show his compassion in a way we CAN PROVE it is him, and not luck/random chance, or human free will? You can have all the faith, and recite all the verse, but without real proof, god is no more compassionate than he is indifferent.
Please give examples.
2006-12-20 11:09:28 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Destiny,
Your response is clear and well thought out, but there is one thing I don't get...
People have been saying for centuries that "God/Jesus will return soon" and restore the earth to a state of paradise. The population of the earth is now growing almost exponentially, and the vast majority of these new souls are being born in non-Christian countries like China, so they have almost no chance to hear the word of Christ.
With so many new non-Christian people being born everyday, the overall state of mankinds spirituality is tending towards GREATER chaos, not less. Non-Catholics outnumber Catholics by 2:1, and soon it will be 3:1, then 4:1, and so on.
If Jesus was going to return to save "his people" what is he waiting for? The longer he waits, the less Christians there will be on earth.
Explain this rational.
2006-12-20 11:40:55 · update #1
you just gave one. his compassion is working through you, ninja dude, and you couldn't even tell... your senses are getting dull, grasshopper
2006-12-20 11:11:50 · answer #1 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋
It is a mystery that one day He promises to reveal to His Children. We do not have all the answers now. Perhaps because He is all knowing He is actually saving them from something else. Perhaps as some believe the devil is the cause of disease. No, I do not mean the devil in sick children I mean perhaps the devil has the power to infect one with cancer or perhaps it is merely a byproduct of our fuel consumption and the atmospheric changes. I do know that God can and does perform miracles. But what I know more than anything is that I just don't know much. Note though the hospital you help is nonprofit started by Christians and isn't it mostly supported by donations. I'm glad you are helping and suggest you speak with others that are as I'm quite sure some are Christians as well and I'll bet God did send those. Thanks for caring for the children.
2006-12-20 11:27:23 · answer #2 · answered by bess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In regards to trying to prove God is actively helping these Children, it comes back to the Christmas story. In the story there are shepherds. The Shepherds at that time were unique because their testimony was not allowed in court, they were legally "not believable". Then what happens? The first and only people told about the birth of Jesus by the Angels were the Shepherds, who went and spread the word around Bethlehem. Some of those who heard them would have believed, but many would not.
Again, when Jesus spoke to the crowds he spoke in parables. This wasn't just to explain difficult concepts in simple terms, it was also because he had to give them the freedom to believe or not believe.
God operates in this way quite often: he gives people a choice to believe or not believe.
So is it luck / pure chance or human free will? I believe it's simpler than that. God is the author of love, he wrote it into your heart.
2006-12-20 12:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by Bad bus driving wolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe the immature answers you're receiving here:
BacaBaby---Do you REALLY believe your god is going to let some child suffer so that some care-giver can feel the joy of helping?
That's nice for the care-giver.----not so nice for the child
Story Junkie---Why would a compassionate god not prevent the suffering, or cure it by himself?--Many Christians claim that "God "healed them all by himself.
I guess you're god is not an equal opportunity healer.--eh?
These people should thank their god that we have someone ,like the person asking this question, to feel the compassion that their god seems to have little time for.
Selar---Are you saying that these children deserved to get their disease?--that they were evil?
2006-12-20 11:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by big j 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rock on! I know this guy who was pretty nasty to God all his life. Then he finally realized God's love and turned his life around to serve him. Soon after, he died of Leukemia. Pretty sad story.
But in cancer, this guy never gave up. though him, and his commitment to God, many others began to turn toward him. Perhaps he finally realized the reason for his sickness before he died.
Also consider Job in the bible. This guy had it all. He was filthy rich, had a sweet huge famaly, great health, everything. Topping all that, Job was a man of God. Then one day God told the Devil how great Job is to him. The Devil sneered and said that if Job wasn't so wealthy, he would surely turn away from God. The Lord knew otherwise, and gave the Devil Permission to mess with Job's life.
Job came to be poorer than anything emagionable. He wept for weeks, but his faith to God didn't weaken. In the end, he gained all his riches back.
There's a reason for misforture. For christians, we like to view our lives as a puzzle piece. From what we see, it's not all that great, but God has the entire puzzle, and it's the most beautiful thing ever!
2006-12-20 11:29:42 · answer #5 · answered by Lord_French_Fry 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's say for argument sake that God is who He says He is, the Almighty, the Creator of all things both good and bad. Why then do you get to live, breath, work, have all the things that you are no doubt enjoying in this evil and hurtful world if it weren't for His great mercy on you? The sick the poor and any others that need our support and help are not the workings of God. We all have free will and there are plenty of things on this earth that are poor, damaged or ill and we as the children of God are to take care of His children that need our help. Both good and evil reside on this earth and we have to help those who may get caught in the middle of the war between them.
May God Bless You
2006-12-20 11:24:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My dad never sinned in his whole life. The most caring, loving, and giving of all men. He got sick, asbestos lung disease. We never could find a just cause. One day, right before he died, it was very bad, and I said to one of my brothers, "this is not fair, here is dad, who worked hard all his life to be a good dad, support his kids and family, never smoked, never drank, and he is suffering, dying from working hard all his life, he don't deserve this", my brother simply said to me "neither did Jesus". It kind of made me take a different light. God doesn't bring the evil and pain, illness.. Satan does that..God helps us through it. So many people condemn God for things and totally forget that Satan is playing a role in our lives too. God cannot take away my sorrow and pain for the loss of my dad. He only died last month, but one thing I know for sure, my dad is sitting pretty close to God right now because of how he lived his life. Too many people blame God for things that are not his fault.
2006-12-20 11:47:21 · answer #7 · answered by tootsie38 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You gave yourself your best physical example. With you and other's donating to St. Jude's, you're showing one of the best attributes to God. Compassion, sympathy, and love.
Christ said, "In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Sometimes, just believing in God, isn't enough. But, if you believe in Him, and you do good by Him, you're showing those children, and the world for that matter, that you, too, are trying to be Christlike.
2006-12-20 11:23:52 · answer #8 · answered by jit07 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God does not wish anyone to die or suffer or hurt. Because of sin, and because we chose to sin rather than be with God in the garden, we have to deal with the aspects of sin that are not fun.
I know it doesnt feel good to watch someone suffer. Im not going to say these things happen for a reason because I know thats not what you want to hear.
If there were no suffering, there would be no true love. No one would understand how beautiful life is.
2006-12-20 11:12:45 · answer #9 · answered by Soon2BMommy 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Abraham said '' If a person comes to convert you you are to stab a knife in him'' how do you see that as not being compasionate.
I love watching those tv shows where they make the old granny walk after praying for her. And i ask if god has that power then why did he give her the useless legs in the first place. Which is exactly what you asking and i comend you for seeing that hole in christianity.
2006-12-20 11:17:42 · answer #10 · answered by Beaverscanttalk 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WHAT DOES IT ALL MATTER since this life is only temporary, and heaven is eternal.
God is the potter, he does what he feel he should do for his reasons that you just don't understand or comprehend.
Must the potter explain everything he does, his plans to the clay that is in his hand?
If you don't believe in God .... go blame the apes or evolution?
I have proof for myself, seek and earn your own way to receive your proof from God.
2006-12-20 11:36:43 · answer #11 · answered by inteleyes 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋