You're speeding along with no idea how you got there and you think momentarily "Gosh, I don't even want to be here." But there you are, on a roller coaster, speeding along the track.
In the distance you see that the track splits off in a couple thousand directions (let's say for argument's sake 2500), with each new stretch of track headed with a sign that says "DO NOT TAKE THE OTHER TRACKS!!!"
In a confused panic, you realize that only one can be the correct track and all others must be traps (if any at all are correct).
You examine the different tracks the best you can as you race toward the point of no return. There's really not much difference. You see only minor, superficial differences. You try to pick the one that looks the sturdiest according to your inherently finite perspective and you choose.
2007-11-21 22:41:25 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You slide up a hill in the track and begin to descend only to realize that the track dead-ends into empty air.
As the ground rushes toward you, you scream "WHAT THE..." *SPLAT*
...and you lay in pain dying, for argument's sake, for all of eternity.
Who is to blame for your suffering: you (the unwilling, unwitting rider) or the one that placed you on the roller coaster that they designed to cause eternal suffering (instead of instant annihilation) should the wrong track be chosen?
It may be up to you to choose a track, but who actualized the scenario?
2007-11-21 22:41:38 · update #1
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtyOOaeEoqAhlQc17iYjt7Psy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071122001510AA5ukdX
2007-11-21 22:44:54 · update #2
interesting result.. the atheist understand the metaphor and the religious do not understand... this must be the reason they stick to there religious text... they can not understand metaphors. most atheist will say that the bible is nothing but myths and metaphors...
edit - a lot superimpose other things into the metaphor that was not given. by changing the metaphor they then fit it into there belief.
2007-11-21 22:58:17 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Mastershake 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a really good analogy, actually. There are some problems with it though:
1. If you only saw "superficial differences" in all the paths the "roller coaster" could take, then you weren't looking very deeply.
2. If you asked the "operator" of the "roller coaster" I'm sure they would help guide you in the right decision.
3. If the "roller coaster" wasn't random, and there IS an "operator" then there's no way they'd want the "roller coaster" to end in a sudden drop into eternal agony.
I hope this helps. :-)
2007-11-22 07:00:22 · answer #2 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your analogy is incomplete. One of the tracks is clearly unique and separate in an obvious way to the one who has spiritual discernment. Logic will be of no value here. Also you left out that we were all given a built-in meter to help us make this decision but have chosen to ignore it.
2007-11-22 07:07:19 · answer #3 · answered by single eye 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
um, roller coaster riders have absolutely no choice in direction. the track is made. any ups, downs or turns are already laid out by the designer. once we are strapped into the seats, there is no choice but to ride out the path already laid until it reaches the end. then the carny can unbuckle you from the seat to go get some cotton candy. I love happy endings!
2007-11-22 06:50:43 · answer #4 · answered by wilrycar 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Nice Allegory, but what if the roller coaster took about 70 years to get to the end, and came with an instruction manual?
2007-11-22 06:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by MarkNZ 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
not a problem for me, as my Father is the Engineer who designed the coaster, and He has already told me which track to take, and is riding along with me...your entire 'question', for me, fell apart after the first sentence...i know how i got on the coaster, and i've enjoyed the coaster ride from the time we left the platform...or maybe the intended impact of your tortured analogy is lost on a Christian who is a HUGE coaster fan-figuratively and literally...
2007-11-22 06:59:23 · answer #6 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Oh dear, you left a part out, the part where the one who designed the track left you the manual to read and you didn't do it. You left out the part where you had your entire life to work on it, but you were too busy partying to pay attention and didn't think it important (after all, we're talking roller coasters here, how much importance can we give it).
You also left out the part where the designer of the coaster told you to practice making this choice and gave you a community of techies with tons of knowledge who hold classes specifically designed for this very purpose. Also, you didn't mention that when growing up you were dragged to "roller coasters 101" class once a week and you sat and threw spitballs instead of paying attention.
2007-11-22 06:49:46 · answer #7 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Nice analogy.
Edit: To that berk up there - it comes with several instruction manuals,which one do you pick?Also,the ride could stop at any moment,not necessarily 70 years.
2007-11-22 06:47:38 · answer #8 · answered by Cotton Wool Ninja 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
And then there is the "end of ride" platform to the right side with a fruit drink stand.
-atheist
2007-11-22 06:48:36 · answer #9 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For the crowd you are addressing: use small words and short questions. Hypothetical situations and analogy usually don't work well with them.
2007-11-22 06:48:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋