Osso.
hephzibah wrote:
Why? You ask. Well let me tell ya.
Because "christian beliefs" say that God only "protects" you and yours as long as you serve Him and do things His way. Otherwise the "enemy" has a "legal right" to do whatever he wants to us. Therefore, "logically" speaking (according to christian beliefs that is) it could be considered my fault both my fathers are going through this because I no longer serve God, therefore He is under no obligation to protect me or anyone in my family. Satan has taken over my family.
Hummm.
Is it just me or does that really sound as ridiculous as I think it does?
While you may find some Christians who hold this as their 'christian belief', you won't find it in the Bible.
If it were true, all non-Christians would be sick, in poverty, etc. As you know, they are not.
It is based on a misunderstanding of the Bible.
One cannot earn God's favor or protection ( for self or family or anyone else) by being good, no matter how good you are.
For instance, God hears and answers prayer. Not because we deserve it. We don't. But He does it because He is gracious and merciful.
If you pray and are expecting an answer based on what you've done, that's works, not faith based on grace.
hephzibah wrote:My my, I sure was laying on the sarcasm pretty thick this morning. Man I need to get more sleep. LOL
Alright, well you know, I know all belief systems don't teach this kind of stuff. Where I lived spiritually for 17 years did though. I don't know that anything I say will have an effect on anyone who still is totally engrossed in these kinds of beliefs. However, I've still got to say it. Even if it is out of sheer anger and disappointment. I don't care.
The anger and disappointment isn't based on my current circumstances though. It is the realization of how manipulated, lied to, and deceived I was. To realize how faith is really only used to mask things that either don't make sense logically, or that aren't understood and never could be. It's ridiculous and it makes me sad.
Is there a "God"? I don't know. I honestly don't. I can tell you this though, it is my opinion that if there is, He must be greatly disappointed in how He is being made out to be to people here.
Why should you be angry that some people you know and love still sometimes misunderstand God?
Don't you? Sometimes I do too.
They are as human as you are. Forgive them.
That's not crazy, that's reality. God is fair, everyone get's what they deserve in the hereafter. If he wasn't fair then we would all be destined to go to Hell for all of us are sinners.
If God were to punish men according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the surface of the earth one single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated term: when their term expires, truly, (they will know that ) God has in His sight all His Servants. (Fatir, 45)
As for your other question about destiny. God created time, thus he is not bound by it like we are. He does not merely watch what is happening and wait to see their consequences, he makes it happen.
We have created all things according to a fixed decree. (Surat al-Qamar: 49)
And further from the Prophet (PBUH):
A servant of God can have no real faith unless he believes in fate with its good and evil sides and knows that he cannot prevent anything that befalls him (good or evil) and he cannot catch anything that escapes from him (good or evil).
You know it's funny Raul that you should make that comment about me trying to make my life easier. My life is anything but easy right now. However I don't blame a "God" for that. I blame the fact that I'm alive, that life happens, and so does death. I blame the fact that no matter how hard we try we just can't control everything. I blame the fact that sometimes I make bad choices and end up paying a price for that for a while. It's all part of life Raul. I don't need a "God" to tell me that. It also strikes me as odd that you would even say that to ME. I'm not the one looking for a free ride through life here Raul. You are.
