If a god has a plan and is actively following that plan to fruition, then doesn't it stand to reason that all that is going on around you is MEANT to be? If that god meant for things to be otherwise, would it not MAKE it so? Ponder this quote:
"Yet, with all this strange appearance of humility, and this contempt for human reason, he ventures into the boldest presumptions. He finds fault with everything. His selfishness is never satisfied; his ingratitude is never at an end. He takes on himself to direct the Almighty what to do, even in the govemment of the universe. He prays dictatorially. When it is sunshine, he prays for rain, and when it is rain, he prays for sunshine. He follows the same idea in everything that he prays for; for what is the amount of all his prayers, but an attempt to make the Almighty change his mind, and act otherwise than he does? It is as if he were to say -- thou knowest not so well as I."
Agree or Disagree. Bonus if you can identify the author and book.
2007-08-23 06:23:33 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes it is. It's illogical, just like the rest of religion.
Age of Reason
Thomas Paine
If anyone is interested the entire book is online.
2007-08-23 06:27:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 13⤊ 4⤋
Your argument doesn't seem to allow for free will. Your argument seems to be that *everything* that happens is according to an incredibly detailed plan, and that no human intervention can change or influence it.
However, faith allows for free will to be part of God's plan. It's like a giant board game - God set up the board and the rules, but it's up to the players to roll the dice and choose to turn left or right. God's plan is for you to play the game, but that doesn't mean you're destined to be on a certain square at a certain time - your actions and decisions influenced your being there. God probably doesn't fuss about the details of what is happening to each player - he's more concerned with how they are playing the game and what lessons they are learning from it. He's looking at the whole board and considering the whole time, and the players are only looking at their pieces at a specific time.
So the individual questioning or lamenting his/her state is not necessarily questioning God's judgement - he/she is trying to understand the complex web of decisions and actions by all the players that led to his/her current state.
I respect your attempt to apply reason to religion, and to encourage people to critically examine philosophical topics, but I should warn you that your questions carry a somewhat sneering tone. Be careful not to present yourself as more reasonable/logical/right/intelligent than others based solely on your lack of belief.
2007-08-23 13:46:12 · answer #2 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the age of reason
thomas paine
God is not controlling everything
He is not a controlling God. he does know what will happen in advance. He does rule and reign.
that is different than control which insuates puppets on strings..............
Prayer can release his perfect will earth
as it is said in the scripture "if we ask according to his will he does what we have asked of him"
Ultimately prayers are evidence stacked up against satan and his followers for that final day...........so that all can see the punishment is Justified. Satan is accusing us we won't pray and we do out of obedience..........this obedience is because we love Jesus and have received him. The apple in the garden had no significance either other than a tool for God to show if we would obey or disobey. Same with Prayer. It's all evidence. for that final day.
2007-08-23 13:31:51 · answer #3 · answered by sisterzeal 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Agreed. Such praying is akin to dropping corrections into a suggestion box.
Thomas Paine, Age of Reason.
2007-08-23 13:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Paine - but I can't remember the work.
And it is pretty clear from the current state of the world that God HAS to be either a bumbling fool or evil (assuming that he exists). So maybe it is good for us to call him out every once in a while.
2007-08-23 13:28:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
Absolutely. Though as to who the author is - got me.
Incidentally, that's what many Muslims say as well, or so I was told by my last client, anyway.
2007-08-23 13:28:33 · answer #6 · answered by dead_elves 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
One thing I know for sure, praying will not change anything.
2007-08-23 13:51:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dissatisfied is a better word.
You "gave me this and I wanted that".
2007-08-23 13:31:10 · answer #8 · answered by Nurse Winchester 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
age of reason
thomas paine
2007-08-23 13:32:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no more akin to sending your Christmas list to the north pole and not letting any real people in on what it is you wanted.
2007-08-23 13:29:22 · answer #10 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋