I've read this countless times. Now, why would a "loving" and "forgiving" deity, pass along misery, death, starvation and strife to the descendants of the creature he himself created?
I mean when a parent dies in jail, do we bring the child to prison to finish the sentence? No, of course not, that would be stupid wouldn't it?
So, why would your god continually punish the offspring of the offspring of adam and eve for something they had no part in?
Is he really that cruel and sadistic?
2007-03-20 00:42:58 · 26 answers · asked by Yoda Green 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
kja,
way to duck the question there. Next time try actually answering it.
2007-03-20 00:46:26 · update #1
oOo,
No, of course not, that's a myth.
I am trying to illustrate a point, nothing more.
2007-03-20 00:47:09 · update #2
Ravie,
so you WOULD send a child to prison for what his father did?
Nice.
2007-03-20 00:47:59 · update #3
if they don't have an answer they blame it on free will, and other typical bs.
christians are the ones who are sadistic,
believing in torture and crap
2007-03-20 00:49:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
From what I understand of Christian theology, the portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments are very different. Usually, scholars describe the Old Testament God as "wrathful," the New Testament God as "loving." Flip through the Bible and you will note the difference. Many atheists and agnostics, when pressed to prove the contrariness/hypocrisy of Christianity, flip to the Old Testament directly. Most Christians focus their attention on the New Testament. Herein lies the trouble - we Christians are being peppered with verses/quotes taken out of context, and from a source which we do not often pore over.
Cruel? Sadistic? Not really, considering that He gives all of us a chance, a whole lifetime really, to believe in Him and thus redeem ourselves. Atheists, you ought to be happy about this. According to the Bible, if Eve hadn't partook of the Forbidden Fruit, you'd all still be wandering about somewhere in the Garden of Eden, blissfully Christian. However, that is not so, and thus we have this imperfect world, still lovable for all its faults (for what other reason does God permit us to exist still, excepting Love?).
If you ever get the chance, pick up a copy of C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity - that's the best secondary literary source for a good, introductory grounding in Christian theology. Then you can decide for yourself what Christianity really means.
Cheers!
2007-03-20 08:04:41 · answer #2 · answered by tigertrot1986 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have said that our problems came from satan inticing the serpent that was a upright creature before the curse, that caused Adam & Eve to sin. Therefore I put it all on satan, Now as far as the offsprings, many offsprings is from Cain seed line also, & not only Adam seed line, Now you ask why would God continuely punish the offspring, Friend you fail to see that one day God will lift this curse,, God is a Just God & everything has to be tested, That is why in the OT they offer up animals for an offering But when Jesus came along, He was the One & for all sacrifice, for all mankind. God sent us a way to escape, is that being cruel, no, So you think that God has past along all these things, Lets look at satan deceiving the serpent & causing Adam & Eve to sin, so your original start is not Adam & Eve, But satan, Because he was already a fallen angel.
2007-03-20 07:56:03 · answer #3 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, first of all you're going to have to stop thinking that you and God have the same mindset. If you were an all-knowing being you might think very differently than your current terrestrial mindset. I believe God wanted to make creatures with free will (humans) as opposed to angels (which are magnificent,but probably very boring at dinner parties) that are very static. In addition God did not create all the negative products of this world, Satan did. God merely gave man a choice of choosing the world or choosing Him.
Maybe God wants those personalities that would choose him in heaven, maybe Earth is just a big testing ground for companionship. Maybe strife and suffering bring about qualities in people God longs for and doesn't want to create himself.
Also death in our sense is meaningless to God if He knows of the afterlife.
But Adam and Eve had a choice and they chose the world and the thinkgs in it rather than focus on God. And God let them have the world, and all the suffering that it entails. Its like letting a child learn from experience. No parent wants to do it, but sometimes they have to.
2007-03-20 07:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by George C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
WHAT IF?
What if Satan did not rebel?
What if Eve did not touch the tree Gen.3:1-5; Would Satan still rebel?
What if Adam did not touch nothing about it after Eve did?
What if God had wiped them out and started over, where would we be?
What if Jesus said, "please Father, They are innocent, let it be, I will save them?"
What if at Noah, Jesus said,"please father let the life sustaining earth be lost but save Noah and I will save them, and make all new again, and get rid of Satan and any that rebels as he has will be all that is consumed?"
Jesus is in that position John 3:16; Heb.2:9,14,16; Rev.20:1-6,12,13; 2Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1-5; All made new.
Isa.65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
2007-03-20 08:07:32 · answer #5 · answered by jeni 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's sad... You've read this countless times and missed it over and over again.
First of all, you are assuming on the initial question - which is proven by your examples... The "Problems we have" is our frequent tendacies to SIN. When Adam and Eve CHOSE to do so, that initiated man's ability to choose to sin. Now, with every choice made, there is a result - or good/bad consequence. (Simple Cause and Effect) The punishment for their sins were meant as a reminder for those who continue to sin.
These problems we have nowadays are brought onto us by the choices we make as individuals. Since we all are prone to sin - we will face death (because the wages of sin is physical death)
The example you give does not hold substance because God has allowed a number of children to grow out of the sinning shadows of their parents (prime example: Denzel Washington).
I think the problem is that you've set your heart to see only 'problems' with the scripture. But if you truely studied God's word, you'd seen the truth.
FYI - it's interesting that you would choose the Adam and Eve story and mess it up. Afterall, Satan "knew" God's word and purposefully messed it up to trick Eve. Slick, Satan. Very slick.
2007-03-20 09:18:38 · answer #6 · answered by se-ke 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is the easiest job of all to be critical of others. To hate is easier than to love..for some people.
God allows a lot of pain and suffering but His promises are kind wen you look at the big picture. Of course it would be nice if our life would be without suffering here, but we are here to help each other out too. If and when we suffer here, God has the whole eternity to make it up to us.
The wages of sin was death. Adam and Eve did not die right away, they had a long life with a lot of good stuff with it. I believe they are with God now. Jesus conquered the death. So your sin is dealt with if you just accept this gift of salvation. God expects you to be good here and do good works, but we do not get saved by them.
He forgives all the sins but not the one when you deny Holy Spirit which is making it possible for you to understand and experience God. He gave you a free will, so He will respect your choice. So do not be cruel and sadistic to yourself. He will do what He promises. : )
2007-03-21 11:32:29 · answer #7 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We are the "offspring" of Adam & Eve, and of Noah & his Wife, and ultimately of GOD HIMSELF. We are actually being "punished" for listening to satan's desires not of Adam & Eve's sins. We are constantly sinning and need to ask forgivness for those sins thus our Savior sacrificed HIMSELF so that we would have the opportunity to do so. The "Sins ofg the Father" are not cast upon the son/daughter. We are each Judged for our own sins and will be called to account for them at the Judgment. Becoming a Christian and living a Christian Life allows us the opportunity to do so. Have a great week!
Thanks,
Eds
2007-03-20 07:56:01 · answer #8 · answered by Eds 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are missing the whole point. Look deeper!
Genetics is a code passed from the relative down. With one genetic breakdown people can be effected in every generation or only by random chance.
When Adam & Eve sinned their genetic code was also corrupted which they have passed down by genetic association.
Parents also pass down their metality and reasoning to the younger generation.
We are guilty by association..genetically and mentally and spiritualy.....
God warned them...why are you blaming God when it was Adam and Eve that has caused this?
But God has the answer....Jesus
2007-03-20 07:51:31 · answer #9 · answered by williamzo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's the perfect example of kids not doing what they are told. God being the father punished them for there free will.Should countless generations be punished? Well idealistically I don't think we should but God is the father. And if you think about it over time many family's are shunned for something that could of been done many generations ago. Chinese believe that.
2007-03-20 08:04:04 · answer #10 · answered by norielorie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dude, why do you keep on trashing and questioning other peoples religion? If you don't have a religion or faith or believe in anything than, hey that's alright, but keep that to yourself. Your opinion may not be the right one, and neither may be the opinion of a Christian. So why don't you back off of other people's faith and leave them the heck alone. Just because you are a doubting pessimist who sees only one dimension of life doesn't mean that you have to bring people of hope and faith down to your level.
And I would like to add that in no way am I person of religion. I am strongly against religions and, in particular, I disagree with the Christian faith.
2007-03-20 15:36:25 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋