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by Just-A-Pineapple on November 22nd, 2009
Good question. I've thought the very same thing for quite a while.
by buttman on November 22nd, 2009
Very interesting observation. Good point.
by Tom on November 22nd, 2009
You don't really believe that, do you? If you're just trying to start an argument, fine, but I sure hope that you really know how far off base your suggestion really is. If you're serious, we'll have to have a long talk!
by level headed on November 22nd, 2009
That's absurd. Read the Bible. It says in John 17:3 Knowledge of God can lead to ever lasting life. He gives you a choice to believe and do, whether or not you do so is up to you. It would be better to have ever lasting life than to live this life and that's it. Most of us will not find ever lasting life. Don't forget the Bible also says " Wide is the road to damnation but narrow is the road leading into ever lasting life and few find it".He's giving you a choice.
by MrJosh on November 22nd, 2009
That's an excellent question, I've never thought of it that way. Its the perfect scam.
by Siyanor on November 22nd, 2009
I believe the asker is talking about God's judgment, not just sin itself, as some of you seem to think. Without God's judgment, there would be no reason for God to protect us from his judgment by asking us not to sin. There is no punishment inherent in sin, but in the judgment of God. Thus, in punishing us for sin and protecting us from sin, he is protecting us from himself.
I, however, am speaking from an atheist's point of view, so I may not clearly understand what the Bible says about judgment.
by bendybot on November 22nd, 2009
Your question really starts with the basis that 1. we would exist without God and 2. we are born perfect and 3. hell was made by God (assuming the protection racket refers to hell. I suppose you could be talking about the pain we experience here on earth is God's fault, so I'll get into that too.)
Lets dispense with the evolution/creation retardedness and just go with "people are perfect." Can you really look into the mirror and think that what you see is perfection? I know I can't. Can you really not see all the damage we do to ourselves? You are claiming God is doing this damage, but free will is a gun we were given that we've pointed at ourselves.
Now we can talk about hell. I don't define hell as fire and brimstone. I define it as a complete separation from goodness. Since God is by definition Goodness, this to me would be a separation from Him. Adam and Eve chose to separate themselves from God. And we choose the same every day when we sin. Again, free will, gun.
The whole point of "God" is salvation, yes, not from Him, not from hell, but from *ourselves.*
I hope the people who have responded to you question with "yea, I've never thought of that!" will read this and think about it a little bit more.
by Anon on November 22nd, 2009
Interesting...what's employment like to get one of these 'god' positions?
by HungryGuy on November 22nd, 2009
I hadn't thought about it that way until now. Good point!
by Anonymous on November 22nd, 2009
You know nothing about God, if you did you would'nt say that.
What is a church pulpit used for?
by Answerbag Staff on April 23rd, 2010
| 7 people like this
Is atheism a religion? If so, hasn't congress been by default endorsing and establishing a religion?
by Megan1976 on February 11th, 2012
| 2 people like this
Where are religious people not welcome? Apart from here and my house, etc. etc.
by Ombliss22 on February 12th, 2012
| 2 people like this
Can you believe a religious organisation is 'encouraging' non religious people to give money to religious organisations.
by Ombliss22 on February 11th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
Does relgion make you happy? http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2011/08/22/if-religion-makes-you-happy-why-are-people-turning-away-from-it/
by aldonoir on February 12th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Doesn't God seem to run things like a protection racket? After all, the only thing we really need God for is to protect us from himself.
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