On what basis do Christians claim that their god is "good"?

Since my previous thread on this topic was closed for being "disrespectful" I will rephrase it.

In the Old Testiment god is presented as being constantly filled with wrath and violence. The Bible describes at least 158 separate acts of god's violence leaving an estimated 2,476,633 dead in his path. Some of the reasons for his violence were Onan "spilled his seed", gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and generally just for being born. In the story of Job he even goes so far as to kill Job's entire family over a bet god made with the devil. He gets Job a new one at the end of the story. But doesn't do the first family a whole lot of good does it?

Pretty much when god isn't killing people in the OT he's telling other people to kill people. At least 158 times!

Then we turn to the New Testament. And he goes from bad to worse!

It seems that god has created a special place filled with torture and suffering that he want to send lots and lots of people to FOREVER. Not because of anything they said or did. But simply because they weren't PERFECT. In fact if you ever even had a bad THOUGHT in your entire life off you go to the pit to be tortured for all eternity.

And the ONLY reason he could come up with to spare ANYONE was to set his own son up for a bloody torture murder. Somehow by doing that he finds that he is able to excuse anyone who believes this story from being sent to the pit. He couldn't figure out ANY other possible way to not send them. In fact he'll forgive anyone for anything just as long as they believe this story. But if they don't then into the firey pit they go. FOREVER!

Now its just my opinion but, based on this story, god's behavior isn't exactly what I would call "mentally stable". In fact the only other character in all of literature that I can even compare it to is Batman's Joker who frequently commits murder at random simply for his own amusement.

So I have a few questions about all this that I would like to ask Christians:

1) What is it that you find believable about all this?

2) What is it about god's character as described in the Bible that you find worthy of being worshipped? And

3) Even if you make it into Heaven what makes you think you're going to be safe with someone like that running the place? This god once turned a woman into a pile of salt for just turning her head the wrong way!

 

They believe it by ignoring what you just said.

If the god of the Bible were a character in other story, he would be viewed as a villain.

 

It has stated that it isn't a christian but believes in something called Yahweehaw or something silly like that..

Whenevre I see it's posts I just can't help think, "Yah, Yah, Yah, whatever!"

 

Gee, am I still being too hard on your "savior"? Perhaps someone else would like to take an even softer approach at the matter. How do you explain the details of this story without your god coming out looking absolutely horrible? Can anyone spin the story in ANY WAY YOU LIKE so that you can answer these questions?

1) What is it that you find believable about all this?

2) What is it about god's character as described in the Bible that you find worthy of being worshiped? And

3) Even if you make it into Heaven what makes you think you're going to be safe with someone like that running the place? This god once turned a woman into a pile of salt for just turning her head the wrong way!

 

Oh come on "Christians"! Surely at least ONE of you has SOMETHING good to say about this so called "savior" of yours! At least in the gospels Peter was in fear for his life when he denied knowing Jesus. What's your excuse?

Well now you know why I called my other thread "The question that Christians are AFRAID to answer ".

Although that one went into far more detail. This one is much better focused.

 

the question I most often ask theists (in the flesh), is that of your thread title. given all that you mention in your OP, how do christians come to the conclusion that their god is good? there's also the logic fail in this - that being most christians claim humans are devoid of native morality, (claiming that morality comes from god). if this is true, then how is it that they're able to make this judgement about god in the first instance? funniest part about this is their protestations that we should not judge god - yet here they are judging him to be good!

- - - Updated - - -

I think it could be still more focused. I'd like to see theists answer the single question posited in your title.

 

As Brad Pitt said in Fight Club...it is entirely possible GOD hates your GUTS!!!

AboveAlpha

 

Obviously they don't have a CLUE do they? I'm starting to think that none of them actually believe any of it. But they're too afraid to admit it!

 

further to my own musings. not only do christians claim humans do not have the capacity to make judgements about god (being devoid of native morality etc), then proceed to judge him profligately - but they add the extra fail of accusing atheists of judging him.

as per much of their scaffolding, you wouldn't want to depend on it in even the lightest breeze.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Covenant

 

Anyone can post a link Wiz. Come back when you actually have something to say. Surely you can answer at least ONE of the questions can't you?


1) What is it that you find believable about all this?

2) What is it about god's character as described in the Bible that you find worthy of being worshipped? And

3) Even if you make it into Heaven what makes you think you're going to be safe with someone like that running the place? This god once turned a woman into a pile of salt for just turning her head the wrong way!

 

Did you read the link?

 

No and I'm not going to. Are you going to answer even one of the questions? Or are you too afraid?


1) What is it that you find believable about all this?

2) What is it about god's character as described in the Bible that you find worthy of being worshipped? And

3) Even if you make it into Heaven what makes you think you're going to be safe with someone like that running the place? This god once turned a woman into a pile of salt for just turning her head the wrong way!

 

Stop embarrassing yourself and read the link. I am not going to reinvent the wheel for your benefit

 

I'm not asking you to reinvent it. I'm asking you in what way does it make even the least bit of sense?

I think you're trying to use a pile of horse manure as a wheel. And you say I'm embarrassing myself?

 

Yes you are. You asking me to type out a treaty on the new covenant because you are either to lazy or ignorant to click on a link from wikipeadia called "New Covenant" Which explains the relationship between Christians and the Old testament

 

maybe TBP is asking for your own position on said questions?

 

Yes I know all about your silly myth. I'm Jewish. We WROTE those stupid books. I'm asking you why you believe it.

Now answer the questions.

1) What is it that you find believable about all this?

2) What is it about god's character as described in the Bible that you find worthy of being worshipped? And

3) Even if you make it into Heaven what makes you think you're going to be safe with someone like that running the place? This god once turned a woman into a pile of salt for just turning her head the wrong way!

Last edited by TheBlackPearl; Today at 09:35 AM.

 

So a couple of million people were killed by some being you don't believe in and you are outraged but atheist regimes murdered many more and you turn a blind eye.......hypocrisy much?

You assume God created hell yet you can't prove it? Where in the bible does it say this? Geez....before you ask a question you should back up your claims.

 

Is this you avoiding answering the questions?

If so, try this one: On what basis do christians decide god is good?

 

I think, like most Christians, he's never really given it a moment's thought and just accepted what he was told.

 

Are you saying that there is no Hell doombug? Fine with me. Problem solved. No point in becomming a Christian then is there? Idiot!

 

Hahaha! I am saying where is your proof God created hell? If you have nothing then say you have nothing.

 

I don't believe in a god. Nor in a Hell. In fact without the Christian belief that there is a god who is a raving psychopath who plans to send billions of people to ETERNAL TORTURE FOREVER just because he's a dick then there is no need for "salvation". We can disband all the churches and give that money to the poor. Problem solved. Unless some people still want to believe that (*)(*)(*)(*).

For those who do still want to believe that


1) What is it that you find believable about all this?

2) What is it about god's character as described in the Bible that you find worthy of being worshipped? And

3) Even if you make it into Heaven what makes you think you're going to be safe with someone like that running the place? This god once turned a woman into a pile of salt for just turning her head the wrong way!

 

It's always arresting to find adults who've laboured under the yoke of superstition for essentially a lifetime, yet have not once stopped to actually THINK about any of it. An old family friend of ours is one such. Over 70, and a life-long, church-going, bible-hugging christian. Her 'thinking' is along the lines of "what would god want me to do about that shopping cart someone has carelessly left in the carpark", or "thank you, Lord, for lunch". The posited questions in your OP would probably put her in hospital.