someone holding a gun to your head and saying you can go but if you do i will kill you and god saying you are free to go but if you do i will send you to he77? ----i am looking for anyones opinion on the difference between the two-it appears that some where confused with what i was asking before so i thought that maybe rewording the question would clarify it--thanks in advance for any answers--enjoy the day
2007-10-02 01:40:06 · 16 answers · asked by lazaruslong138 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i think rewording my question worked well from the responses thanks again and i hope i you found the question as interesting as i have found some of the answers
2007-10-02 01:58:35 · update #1
I don't find a difference. I have, however, a perfect button to wear when ecountering people whose god acts that way. It says: "Are we talking about the same god here, because yours sounds like kind of a dick." I wear it on my lapel whilst I sit at my favorite cafe on Sunday morning reading from MY Bible--"The God Delusion," by Richard Dawkins.
2007-10-02 01:46:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When a person is holding the gun, it is with the intentions of a man, which are suspect. Consider, the man of your example is showing to you the results of your actions which he chooses to control, but how far can you trust a man to be correct. You can't. This is the primary argument against capital punishment - that a government is acting as God in the determination of your future on Earth, and in a rather permanent manner.
On the other hand, God asks for your trust and then laid out the ground rules - especially those you describe, while society may stumble a bit about what values are in vogue today.
In the case of the man, he is using his best judgment, which is, by definition, flawed at least in some small manner. In the case of God, there can be no flaw in His/Her judgment, because the ultimate rules of the universe are His/Hers. The man's set of choices of behavior are limited by his imagination, societal input, and means, while God gets it done, no matter what the task.
The sadness is the asking of the question in the way you did... by trying to equate the actions of God with the actions of a man purposefully avoids the obvious in an effort to belittle God for your own dreams. Your words state that you fear evil, which has historically shown it doesn't work, hence the passages of a famous prayer "... that I will fear No evil, for Thine...".
Consider the Way of Christianity, which would permit you to walk the walk, and making the man's gun meaningless. This would permit you the opportunity to change the man, give him more options.
Works for me.
2007-10-02 09:16:56 · answer #2 · answered by science_joe_2000 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a *HUGE* difference between a criminal making such an ultimatum and, say, your parents.
The assumption here, is that God is all-knowing (omnicient) - and therefore understands why this must be so.
Dare you to know the mind of God? Dare you advertise that you know the mind of God?
If you're looking for human logic in God, you are ready for the nut house...
Militant agnostic: I don't know and NEITHER DO YOU!
2007-10-02 08:45:35 · answer #3 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to burst your bubble but this question arises out of sheer ignorance.
There is no threat of hell. You just cease to exist because you do not love life. Is it that difficult to understand? Someone who loves life will also love the Lifegiver and the way He wants him/her to live. Do you buy a car only to throw away the manual that tells you how to best use your car? Would you want to live in a country where there are no laws to follow and everyone is free to do his/her thing? If your answers are 'yes' then I would have to admit my inability to understand you.
2007-10-02 09:02:35 · answer #4 · answered by Andy Roberts 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Someone asked something like this a few months ago and I don't like comparing Christ to a murderer, but do see your point. I put it more like parents telling a child if you play in the streets you may be killed, so stay out of the street. God is a Father of Love, not hate, much like our own parents. He guides us through a good, holy exisence with the promise of eternal life.
2007-10-02 08:47:49 · answer #5 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The difference is that someone holding a gun to your head is real to the physical perceptions. Cold metal against the flesh, the sound of a threatening voice backed by evidence of the senses.
What you paraphrase 'God' saying is none of the above.
2007-10-02 08:45:34 · answer #6 · answered by Jack P 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sounds like your confused about religion.
You've been raised in one religion and are now beginning to question everything you've been taught?
I would suggest going to the library or book store and reading books on several different religions.
Your spiritual beliefs shouldn't fill you with fear.
2007-10-02 08:51:43 · answer #7 · answered by Carrie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is the same. Hell is not a natural consequence of wrongfully exercising free will. God designed each cause and effect of every action. He calculated exactly the pain that one would experience by choosing to not follow him.
2007-10-02 08:46:39 · answer #8 · answered by Eleventy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Here's the difference. God has never said "You are free to go but if you do I will send you to hell."
God gave us free-will and the right to choose. And He also holds us accountable for our actions! Don't forget that part.
2007-10-02 08:43:50 · answer #9 · answered by kja63 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
God does not send you to hell....You choose that path. He is trying to get you to go the right path but your are running from him forcing him to cast you there.
Technically your forcing the issue with your sin and stubbornness
2007-10-02 08:48:08 · answer #10 · answered by jesussaves 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋