We are in God's image yet flawed as people. (Jesus, moral)

[retrorich]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

I strongly disagree and think this is an unfair characterization. As others have said, one interpretation of God created us in "HIs image" is that God gave us free will. What could be described as indecent and cruel is the way some people exercise free will in such a undisciplined manner.

As for Hell, if it does turn out to be fire and brimstone and evil incarnate, then people put themselves there through their own evil behaviour. God didn't make them break His Commandments.

and BTW......I am a Christian, so any statements I make about God come from a deep abiding faith and desire to live as He taught as us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Glen, my good friend. The bottom line is, if God is omiscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, then He is responsible for everything in the universe--both good and evil. Creating humans knowing many would burn in Hell is just sick!!!

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by finalfrogo

Doesn't sound like free will to me. More along the lines of somebody putting a gun to your head and telling you to get in his car. Is that really free will?

Your example is ridiculous. Of course it's free will, because no one is holding a gun to your head, and it IS your choice to accept the ride offered or find your own way.

Originally Posted by retrorich

...Creating humans knowing many would burn in Hell is just sick!!!

That's your opinion, I know you're wrong, so we will have to agree to disagree.

Bottom line...God created us a little lower than the angels and gave us free will. The fact that we choose not to live up to God's image is our fault not His.

[alex-f]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

The fact that we choose not to live up to God's image is our fault not His.

As an all-seeing God, could he not have created humans to be naturally cooperative, uncompetitive and unselfish? The fact is that humans, when left unrestrained, are naturally self-seeking; is this a flaw in His design?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by retrorich

Glen, my good friend. The bottom line is, if God is omiscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, then He is responsible for everything in the universe--both good and evil. Creating humans knowing many would burn in Hell is just sick!!!

The only people who will go to Hell at all are those who literally would prefer it to Heaven. What's so sick about giving someone that choice?

[retrorich]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

Bottom line...God created us a little lower than the angels and gave us free will. The fact that we choose not to live up to God's image is our fault not His.

Glen...

1. Do you believe that God is, and always has been, omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent?

2. Do you believe that God could have created humans to be anything He wished them to be and do anything He wished them to do?

3. Do you believe it was God's decision to give humans free will?

4. Do you believe that because they exercised that free will, many humans will be condemned to spend all eternity in Hell.

If your answer is yes to all of the above, then how can you deny that God was responsible for knowingly and willingly condeming many humans to eternal punishment, when He had the ability and the opportunity to either not create those humans at all, or create them in such a way that they would not "sin," and therefore would not be condemned to Hell?

[retrorich]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

The only people who will go to Hell at all are those who literally would prefer it to Heaven. What's so sick about giving someone that choice?

It is sick because...

1. There was no need to create humans.

2. There was no need to give humans free will.

3. There was no need to create hell.

God chose to do all three things, knowing in advance what the horrible results would be. That was sick.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by retrorich

It is sick because...

1. There was no need to create humans.

2. There was no need to give humans free will.

3. There was no need to create hell.

God chose to do all three things, knowing in advance what the horrible results would be. That was sick.

Well, I'm personally glad he created me, but to each his own.

[Doktormartini]

We were created in God's image. God absolutely hates foreskin. So, why was I born with foreskin?