Are Gods Judgments righteous?

Also, has it occurred to you that if there was such a threat that the Israelites would come to believe in and worship another god--one that doesn't exist--then who's to say that the first god they came to believe in and worship has any more reality than the god that doesn't exist?

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The goal itself is irrational given the conditions he set in the first place, e.g. free will, a false alternative.

Do you mean that free will is a 'false alternative' in itself or that it is incompatible with his goal?

What do you see as his goal? If you have no opinion on that yourself, what do you think the consensus of believers is of that goal?

It's irrational to have given man free will and punish him for following it.

The false alternative is the self-determination afforded man through the free will that was given man that he's punished for pursuing.

His goal is to reward those that do his bidding and punish those that don't.

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It's irrational to have given man free will and punish him for following it.

The false alternative is the self-determination afforded man through the free will that was given man that he's punished for pursuing.

A reference to Adam & Eve in the garden? I'm in the minority on this but I do not see any violation of free will there.

Following through on an agreement made beforehand is hardly punishment.
Let me know if that's not what you were thinking of.

InfraBlue wrote:

His goal is to reward those that do his bidding and punish those that don't.

That's true in a way but stating it like that has the connotation of his being capricious and arbitrary. If you defined his bidding as 'finding the nature you were made with and following it', I'd agree completely.

I'm not sure that 'punishment' is the right term for what happens in the event of failure. You just don't get to go on if found unfit for his purpose.

I feel bad for the rabid raccoon I have to put down or the worn out car I send to the crusher (I tend to get attached to my cars), but there is no punishment involved.

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It's irrational to have given man free will and punish him for following it.

The false alternative is the self-determination afforded man through the free will that was given man that he's punished for pursuing.

Leadfoot replied:
"A reference to Adam & Eve in the garden? I'm in the minority on this but I do not see any violation of free will there."

Blue:
It's a reference to all of mankind. Those who do God's bidding will be rewarded with everlasting life in Heaven or Paradise, but those who do not will be annihilated or tourtured eternally.

Sorry, I didn't realize you subscribed to the 'eternal torture' scenario. I don't see how that view ever emerged (other than as a control device for religions) but once you embrace it there is not much room for discussion. If I were to take that view, I'd make it my life's work to find God, and kill him. Maybe that's what you are doing.

Yeah, well, when I bother to ask a question, I'm looking for your thoughts, not a random list of views. Ya got any?

It's not a random list of views. They're the most common views in regard to punishment by the Biblical god.

I've already posted my views. You've been responding to them.

I don't subscribe to the "eternal torture scenario."

My opinions are based on the two views of punishment that I've listed, i.e. annihilation and eternal torture.

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I don't subscribe to the "eternal torture scenario."

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My opinions are based on the two views of punishment that I've listed, i.e. annihilation and eternal torture.

Which of your words do you own?

Yes, man has free will to do the right or wrong thing. If man does the right thing he will enjoy the fruits of his actions.
If man does the wrong thing, he is creating his own hell and torture. He can't go blaming his own self-inflicted actions on God.
But he can seek God's help through Lord Jesus...

Both. One doesn't have to subscribe to a view to base an opinion on it. One can take a view as a hypothetical, i.e. a situation taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation, an assumption.

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Both. One doesn't have to subscribe to a view to base an opinion on it. One can take a view as a hypothetical, i.e. a situation taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation, an assumption.

OK, you're just engaging in internet banter for the sake of argument.
You don't really have a dog in this hunt.

I don't see God from the interpretation of the Old Testament, I see God through the interpretation of Lord Jesus, so consequence and responsiblity for ones own actions will lead one to a good or bad path. Taking responsibility for ones own actions is more mature and realistic...