The meaning of life <cartoons, etc.> ... an evolving thread

Good one msolga

Thanks, pan.

Why don't they just attach care packages to the bombs?

What, get the good & evil stuff all over in one go?

Another one .... Why, why, why?
We've had a lot of folk attempting to understand why such disasters occur. "God's will", or what?

Lots of stuff like this:

Testing times test our belief
January 4, 2005/the AGE



.... "Every single random, accidental death is something that should upset a faith bound up with comfort and ready answers. Faced with the paralysing magnitude of a disaster like this, we naturally feel more deeply outraged and also more deeply helpless. We can't see how this is going to be dealt with, we can't see how to make it better. We know, with a rather sick feeling, that we shall have to go on facing it and we can't make it go away or make ourselves feel good.

The question: "How can you believe in a God who permits suffering on this scale?" is therefore very much around at the moment, and it would be surprising if it weren't; indeed, it would be wrong if it weren't. The traditional answers will get us only so far. God, we are told, is not a puppet-master in regard either to human actions or to the processes of the world. If we are to exist in an environment where we can live lives of productive work and consistent understanding - human lives as we know them - the world has to have a regular order and pattern of its own. Effects follow causes in a way that we can chart, and so can make some attempt at coping with. So there is something odd about expecting that God will constantly step in if things are getting dangerous. How dangerous do they have to be? How many deaths would be acceptable?" ....

<complete article>
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Opinion/Testing-times-test-our-belief/2005/01/03/1104601291997.html?oneclick=true

`

...and this ... One of many letters to the AGE editor:

Doing what's right is better than just having faith
January 4, 2005

The tragic tsunami has encouraged most religious leaders to encourage their flock to maintain their faith. Yet the challenge for people of faith, of whichever religion, is not whether they believe, but what they choose to do as a result of that belief.

What do the people of faith choose to do about it when:

· Their religion preaches love, yet seems to allow or condone hate?

· Their religion preaches mercy, yet seems to allow or condone cruel intolerance of fellow humans?

· Their religion preaches goodness, yet seems to breed greed?

· Their religion preaches kindness, yet seems to breed insensitivity to the plight of billions?

· Their religion preaches tolerance, yet seems to breed intolerance?

· Their religion promises redemption, yet seems to deliver misery?

· Their religion preaches inclusiveness, yet seems to practise profound exclusion?

· Their religion preaches justice, yet seems to be unjust, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

· Their religion preaches honesty, yet seems to be dishonest?

· Their religion preaches the sanctity of children, yet the representatives of some of those religions prey on young children?

· Their religion preaches the sanctity of life, yet some knowingly sit idly by while millions of people die under their noses?

· Their religion preaches morality, yet some hide the immoral practices of their representatives?

· Their religion preaches the honour of their representatives, yet their representatives sin by their own standards?

· Their religion preaches their role as servants of God, yet they defy their God's message in order to ensconce and protect their sinecure?

Having faith is admirable, even when that which you have faith in is indefensible: what you do through your faith, however, is more important than faith alone.

-Dr Jack Jacoby, Black Rock

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Bookmarking.... good finds MsOlga!

Thanks, k. And Greetings to you!

Interesting thread msolga…I'll be back :wink:

... and:


Paul Stenhouse: Tsunamis are not the wrath of God[/b]
January 04, 2005/the Australian.


... "As someone who has seen more than his fair share of human suffering around the world, I can sympathise with the halting attempts people make to articulate their feelings at a moment like this: when we stand appalled and seemingly helpless before inexorable destruction and death.

Yet, for all its horror, the suffering caused by natural disasters is not comparable to the suffering that human beings inflict on one another." ...

<complete article>
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11842949%5E7583,00.html

`

Thanks, colorbook.

... and why the hell don't we all see it the same way?

OK, that's it from me for now, but feel free to post what-ever contributions from your neck of the woods.... Anything to help make sense of it all will be much appreciated! Couldn't get much worse, could it?

These 3 men have joined forces publicly to assist the victims of the disaster. A wee little sign of a bit of hope?

colorbook

Yes, yes indeed. <sigh>