Seeing as I'm banned to the basement because of the pussies running this site, I'll put this here...

Does this recent shooting put any doubt in your belief in a god?

No

I don't believe in god.

This ***** didn't really believe in god beforehand.

Nope.

I'm not saying he did or he didn't. But when people start killing children, then offing themselves, the people who did believe in god should really put into question their belief of someone who could "allow" this.

God "allows" us to do whatever we want...as horrible as our choices might be.

The recent shooting doesn't change my belief's at all.

I am always confused when people ask that question. If God allowed humans free will and then prevented things from happening. What would the point of free will be?

pmoney25;1343281 wrote:I am always confused when people ask that question. If God allowed humans free will and then prevented things from happening. What would the point of free will be?

My counter question would be why do religious people believe in the power of prayer if god doesn't intervene?

Good things happen = praise god! what a miracle
Bad things happen = free will! he doesn't intervene

Seems like an awfully naive and convenient viewpoint.

Mulva;1343495 wrote:My counter question would be why do religious people believe in the power of prayer if god doesn't intervene?

Good things happen = praise god! what a miracle
Bad things happen = free will! he doesn't intervene

Seems like an awfully naive and convenient viewpoint.

Prayer is a means of strengthening the relationship with God. Requests of divine intervention have power when we are resolved to Him making our wishes known and understanding that it is He that will determine if such requests are in concert with His plan....in His time according to His will.

Haven't decided yet how this has affected my faith. On one hand, it angers me and upsets me that God would allow something like this to happen. On the other hand, I've been told since I was a kid that he's got a plan and we never understand why we have to experience some of these things.

One thing is for sure, this has definitely shaken my faith in humanity.

Con_Alma;1343276 wrote:God "allows" us to do whatever we want...as horrible as our choices might be.

The recent shooting doesn't change my belief's at all.

You believe in someone who wants k4 student's dead? Stay classy conalma

sherm03;1343516 wrote:Haven't decided yet how this has affected my faith. On one hand, it angers me and upsets me that God would allow something like this to happen. On the other hand, I've been told since I was a kid that he's got a plan and we never understand why we have to experience some of these things.

One thing is for sure, this has definitely shaken my faith in humanity.

The "god has a plan" thing is such bullshit.

DeyDurkie5;1343524 wrote:You believe in someone who wants k4 student's dead? Stay classy conalma

He doesn't want any such thing. My "class" or lack there of has nothing to do with it.

No.

Yes, there is a God. and she is a Bitch.

It doesn't affect my perception of what "god" would be if one does exist -- which would be a creator-type that manifests things, but leaves them solely under the control of its creations without any more thought than "my work is done here".

Now...if I was one of those poor souls who actually thought this being sticks around all the time, listens to prayers and cares about our day-to-day lives because of this big heaven/hell checklist, it might be a different story.

Mulva;1343495 wrote:My counter question would be why do religious people believe in the power of prayer if god doesn't intervene?

Good things happen = praise god! what a miracle
Bad things happen = free will! he doesn't intervene

Seems like an awfully naive and convenient viewpoint.

Always wondered this too.

DeyDurkie5;1343525 wrote:The "god has a plan" thing is such bullshit.

I'm starting to believe that. I was thinking about it last night after a couple more glasses of whiskey...why would God's plan include killing 20 little kids?

sherm03;1343665 wrote:I'm starting to believe that. I was thinking about it last night after a couple more glasses of whiskey...why would God's plan include killing 20 little kids?

Just a way for weak minds to justify these things and make themselves feel better. There is no reason or justification.

Mulva;1343495 wrote:My counter question would be why do religious people believe in the power of prayer if god doesn't intervene?

Good things happen = praise god! what a miracle
Bad things happen = free will! he doesn't intervene

Seems like an awfully naive and convenient viewpoint.

There does seem to be some equivocation between when theists say;

1. God has a pre-ordained plan that he wills to occur

and

2. We have free will that allows us to stray from what, God, being all powerful, would will.

There are only a few logical possibilities if God exists

1. God wills mass murder of children to happen

2. God has the power to stop the mass murder of children from happening but chooses not to. (considering that most morally corrupt humans would stop the mass murder of children if they could...this is problematic if you think God is worthy of worship by morally corrupt humans and the mass murder of children is immoral).

3. God does not have the power to stop the mass murder of children. (This might also be problematic if you think God is supposed to be worthy of worship).

Con_Alma;1343552 wrote:He doesn't want any such thing. My "class" or lack there of has nothing to do with it.

You believe god has a plan? His plan includes killing innocent children. You believe in him, therefore you believe in that. Stay classy.

DeyDurkie5;1343696 wrote:You believe god has a plan? His plan includes killing innocent children. You believe in him, therefore you believe in that. Stay classy.

I don't believe God's plan has anything to do with killing innocent Children.

My class of lack of it has nothing to do with my beliefs.

BoatShoes;1343695 wrote:...

2. God has the power to stop the mass murder of children from happening but chooses not to. (considering that most morally corrupt humans would stop the mass murder of children if they could...this is problematic if you think God is worthy of worship by morally corrupt humans and the mass murder of children is immoral). ...

Of course God is worthy of worship by morally corrupt persons. There is no one perfectly pure from a morality perspective.

Con_Alma;1343699 wrote:I don't believe God's plan has anything to do with killing innocent Children.

My class of lack of it has nothing to do with my beliefs.

You believe god has a plan..yes?