The thing that disturbs me most about religion...

[.lava]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

... is the fact that life isn't fair. When ever I read about the Inquisition, or massacres in parts of Africa, or general suffering, I keep thinking, “Well... when is it my turn?”


As a theist, I worried that when I die, I would have to suffer, like all these other people, before being admitted to Heaven. I mean, it's only fair isn't it?


Why should a believer be allowed into Paradise, for living a cushy life, while some other poor soul, has/had to be burned to dust for the very same thing?

if life seems unfair, it is because journey is not completed without after life.

love your neighbor as you love yourself...

whoever sleeps with full stomach while his neighbor was starving is not one of us...

however religion is a bond between God and individual, there is no escape from relations with other people. serving God is serving people. no one should claim he is serving God in case he does not care for people. we are all test for each other. religion invites people to love each other. telling nice words, trying to be helpful regardless what you believe in...etc these are practices of religion. if humanity that religion requires to be close to God was practiced, then this world would be like heaven. but it is not. not because of religion...on the contrary...it is because of ego of man who wants to serve himself only. life is not unfair. life on its own is not enough to show justice is done. religion is not to blame. men did this, not God or not religion.




.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by sojourner

You're saying that you don't suffer when your fellow human beings suffer? Why do you think that is?

If you're suggesting I lack empathy, then you're very wrong. The reason I started this thread is due to empathy. I don't see how I can live a comfortable life and live so easily and maybe get into Heaven, while some other guy gets his arms and legs cut off for the same goal. It's not fair and it leads me to wonder what God, if He's there, has planned for the like of you or me when we snuff it.

And yes, I do suffer, I feel guilt and inner termoil when I hear of massacres etc. but I'd much rather have these emotions - these chemicals in the brain - rather than the immense physical pain that others have to endure.

[Ringer]

I wouldn't be so sure that once we are in Heaven we will get equal treatment, Phasmid. We will all one day be held accountable before God. If you are one of the "lucky" ones that will lead a risk-free and relatively rich existence, it's quite possible you and many others will be asked, "What did you do to help those less fortunate? In your life on earth you were first and they were last." How we answer that question will be up to us but personally, I don't want to feel the shame when I can't respond with anything meaningful. The end of Matthew 25 seems like a relavent passage in this regard.

Nobody seeks out suffering but as a Christian, I know how it could potentially be around the corner. We sing hymns with words like, "Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, To Thy precious, bleeding side." but when persecution comes, do we really mean it? As one of the greatest philosphers that ever lived, Rambo, spoke, "Live for something or die for nothing." Make a difference with what you are given so that in the event you stand before God you won't be ashamed. Those that suffer for the sake of God will be rewarded in full. That I can assure you.

[Kungfuzed]

Life is unfair without religion too. Either way, your life is greately determined by where you are born and genes. But what's extrordinary is that we are even alive at all. Just a little blip in time and then we're gone. It might seem unfair that one person has a better life than another, but keep in mind that before we were concieved, we were nothing. Every life is precious.