Aside from what is said in the Bible. If God has a reason for everything that is good and bad in the world, how do we know his intentions are actually good?
Also, how do we know Satan is Evil? If history is written by the winners, would their roles be reversed had Satan stayed in Heaven and God was banished?
2007-05-10 07:43:35 · 10 answers · asked by tHEwISE 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
*sigh*
I said without refering to the Bible.
2007-05-10 08:03:58 · update #1
God is good and Satan is evil and you know that because your heart tells you so....
2007-05-10 07:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by If the mask fits... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question.
When many people think of "God" and associate cold, hard fate, evil acts of unprincipled individuals, and a seemingly apparent lack of activity, they have redefined the word to be something less than good, or even evil.
I think from a New Testament perspective, it is better to think of the person of Jesus Christ when considering the character of God.
He demonstrated his willingness to "turn the other cheek" and "lay down his life for his friends". He refuted the concept of a mindless fate, and taught us to think of God as a personal, loving father, who deeply cares for his children, hears their prayers, and responds. He indicated that God is aggressively working at a rapid pace to repair the damage to the world, and any perceived delay is his mercy: "not willing that any should perish".
Jesus demonstrated how to live a godly life, and develop a sense of a religion worth dying for, but not worth killing for. He then said, he would send the Holy Spirit, to give those who seek God, the power to live fulfilling, powerful, gifted, and sacrificial lives.
The best, simple distinction between the two is God is a creator, and the devil is described as a destroyer.
This is a good test for our own actions. Do we create love, peace, and harmony, or do we destroy relationships, egos, and joyful moods?
2007-05-10 08:06:11 · answer #2 · answered by Calvin James Hammer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mercy and grace.
Mercy - Not getting what we deserve . (Punishment for things we do wrong.)
Grace - Getting something that wasn't earned. (Blessings, good times, etc.)
History wasn't always written by the winners. A good chunk of the Old Testament talks about how the Israelites were conquered by Babylonia and exiled. What fun is it to talk of that?
2007-05-10 07:49:35 · answer #3 · answered by Molly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main part of religion is a belief in something without seeing it. Religion says you need to believe that god is good, without having any reason to back it up.
2007-05-10 07:47:52 · answer #4 · answered by JiggaWhat?!JiggaWho?! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do we know God is good? He was good enough do die for the world to redeem us back to him. I don't know anyone who would give their life for others, especially when it's highly undeserved, unless they truly loved them. How do we know satan is evil? Even the secular media knows that satan is evil. How many scary movies have you seen the portray evil as something good? How about *never*
2007-05-10 07:58:12 · answer #5 · answered by Truth 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ah, taking a stab at understanding the great controversy eh? Well, why not try reading the book called "the great controversy". Its a good book. It should answer a lot of your questions.
2007-05-10 07:48:46 · answer #6 · answered by The GMC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you define good? The biblical god is an evil and malevolent being inciting murder,rape,slavery and child abuse among other things
2007-05-10 07:47:41 · answer #7 · answered by rosbif 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think God is good. He killed humanity "in the flood." I think Jesus is the only pure good one, not God.
2007-05-10 08:06:02 · answer #8 · answered by waragainstterror 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Based on what this God does in the bible he is NOT good!
Unless you think genocide and torture is good!
2007-05-10 07:47:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Spoken like a good little demon.
2007-05-10 07:47:20 · answer #10 · answered by Mariah 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋