"Christians speak of this...(the bad in the world)... because they want the world to know that there is hope in Christ. While this world is rife with death and destruction, the Christian knows there is a better world to come, where none of this stuff will happen. In my view, this is not pessimism; it is optimism for a wonderful future in paradise! "
-I truly feel sorry for this person and his bleak outlook on life
-God has blessed us with many things in this world, and it appears this person does not appreciate them.
-is he just making an excuse for his personal shortcomings here on earth
-where is the joy in this person's life, that God is supposed to provide
-Your thoughts?
2007-06-13 03:28:19 · 13 answers · asked by G.C. 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
From an atheist:
One can alwats see a glass as half empty or half full. In other words you choose to be an optimist or a pessimist. It's a much better life to choose optimism. Life offers a wonderful opportunity to explore, love, have adventure and experience beauty.
If you do not feel you have this in your life, a couple of things you can try to do:
1. travel--climb mountains, visit Africa, Asia, South America to experience how other people live, explore tropical rainforests, go white water rafting in the Grand canyon, etc, etc
2. charity, not just give money, but your time, give your heart and love to needy people, personally helping others to have a better life
2007-06-13 03:44:14 · answer #1 · answered by Dendronbat Crocoduck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the Dharmanator - no reason to focus so much on the bad, even if you do think the next life will be better. You can still enjoy this one, can't you? Optimism is seeing the good right now, not just later on. And shouldn't you be working to contribute as much as possible to this world to truly earn a place in heaven?
2007-06-13 03:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like that person believes earthly life is supposed to be unhappy and is banking on being happy after he dies. It is depressing to me, but at least they find comfort in it. As I write this I realize there are some people in some places that do not have basic needs met and cannot enjoy life on earth. Maybe they can take the same comfort as the writer of that quote.
2007-06-13 03:35:18 · answer #3 · answered by The Naughty Librarian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems to me that this person has given up trying to make this world (or his world) a better place, instead waiting for the 'better' world of the next life. Giving up can never be optimistic.
Compare to the motto that Christian Aid used in Britain in the late 80's: "We believe in life before death."
2007-06-13 03:31:49 · answer #4 · answered by Dharma Nature 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The problem, G.C., is that most of the questions about God refer to the horrible things that occur in this life. What I find funny is that no one decries the negativity of those questions. Yes, there are plenty of thngs here that we can enjoy: a sunrise/sunset, the sound of the ocean, etc. But God is never credited for that. This door swings both ways.
2007-06-13 03:39:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a fundamentalists and I agree pretty much with the Christian and his quote. The fact that he does not mention all the good things in life in this little 4 line quote does not in any way suggest that he does not see good in life, but he is also wise enough to see the dispair also. To be willuflly ignorant of the terrible spiritual dilema that this world faces will cost you for eternity.
2007-06-13 03:34:54 · answer #6 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God did bless us with many things in life. Clean air, clean water and we've ruined it all with science and technology.
Who are you going to sue when you get cancer from drinking PCBs in the water.
Don't think Brita gets that out. It takes a very fine filter to get ride of PCBs and you have to go to the root source, like GE is being forced to do with the Hudson river.
2007-06-13 03:42:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is short and then you die.
I see no reason, other than wishful thinking, to believe anything continues after death.
So you, you ego/id, spirit, whatever you want to call the electro-chemical activity in your brain that makes you different from me, you only have a short time.
Enjoy it, savor it, do something that you consider worthwhile with it, because this is the only chance you get.
The Glass is half full. Treasure it before it is empty.
2007-06-13 03:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by Simon T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The statement is drivel. The notion of a better world is silly.
2007-06-13 03:34:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
For true Christians, this world is not our home. Don't get too comfortable. We're going home soon.
2007-06-13 03:34:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋