God's violent ways

[OnceConvinced]

The god of the bible tends do deal with sin and evil in very violent ways. Ie, wiping out cities, sending floods, ordering violent deaths, ordering the slaying of animals for sacrifices, sending curses and plagues, etc.

Can you point out any instances in the bible where God deals with sin and evil in non-violent ways?

And I mean God here. Not Jesus.
And there are times God showed mercy and didn't deal with the sin and evil, sure. But when he did, were there non-violent methods used?

[1213]

...
We are having REAL trouble finding pleasant actions of the mythological Jehovah. Some of his witnesses tell us that there are people that NEED to be killed even if they ARE only babies....

But, if we believe the Bible, we should also notice that God has given also the life. That is why I think He has right to decide how long it lasts and there is no good reason to complain, if God doesnt give eternal life for all.

[Tcg]

...
We are having REAL trouble finding pleasant actions of the mythological Jehovah. Some of his witnesses tell us that there are people that NEED to be killed even if they ARE only babies....

But, if we believe the Bible, we should also notice that God has given also the life. That is why I think He has right to decide how long it lasts and there is no good reason to complain, if God doesnt give eternal life for all.

This is certainly an easy argument to make for those who believe they will be given eternal life. Like the owners of the neighborhoods' meanest dog, they have no reason to worry about the monster they feed. This kind of God, in the eyes of it's worshippers, is fine as long as they aren't bitten.

So much for loving one's neighbor as one's self.


Tcg

[sorrento]

[Replying to post 60 by 1213]

The fact that you so casually excuse the murderous actions of the biblical god demonstrates that your faith has seriously depleted your sense of empathy. Much of the slaughter recorded in the bible was carried out by men who believed they were killing at the behest of their god.
As you believe a person has "no good reason to complain" if your god decides to end their life, would you be capable of ending someone's life if you believed that your god had ordered you to do so?
William Lane Craig, an outspoken Christian apologist has said that anyone ordered by god to kill is obliged to do so.
I don't believe you would or could carry out such a deed because even though you casually accept your god's murderous excesses you know that to do such a a thing would be wrong and morally indefensible. I really hope I am right in saying that!

[SallyF]

... if "violent" simply means reasonable force, how is it every reasonable force to kill someone?

Because some people need to be killed ; it's the only reasonable way to put an end to their wickedness.

(Bolding mine.)

Member JW declares that she is a Christian.

Member JW declares that "some people NEED to be killed". And that it is the ONLY reasonable way to put an end to their wickedness.




Nazi Germans also thought the biblical version of "God" was with them, and, like the writers of the tales of the mythological Jehovah, they thought they were a "chosen" or "master" race and considered genocide the only "reasonable" Final Solution to give them Living Room/Promised Land.

If one wants to find justification for slaughtering vast numbers of one's fellow humans, or enslaving them, or racism, or sexism, or homophobia, or numerous other atrocious behaviours, one only needs to turn to one's Bible for "scriptural" support from the "God of Love".

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 63 by SallyF]

"Because some people need to be killed" - it's a shocking statement to read. Obviously, some of Jehovah's current followers support his violent ways. Sadly, not unlike some of his followers from the past.

If this is what it means to love one's neighbors, I hope to live very far away from them.


Tcg

[benchwarmer]

[Replying to post 63 by SallyF]

"Because some people need to be killed" - it's a shocking statement to read. Obviously, some of Jehovah's current followers support his violent ways. Sadly, not unlike some of his followers from the past.

If this is what it means to love one's neighbors, I hope to live very far away from them.


Tcg

Statements like this also show the powerlessness of their god. If a god wants someone dead, then I presume this god can just go ahead and do that. Why do humans have to be involved? Especially when humans are known to be fallible and may kill the wrong person!

The god of the Bible has killed people himself. We know this god, as described, is capable of the act. Thus any downloading of killing onto humans shows this entire theology to be the man made story telling that it really is.

[Willum]

[Replying to post 65 by benchwarmer]

Have you ever considered how wonderful the world could be if such a benevolent, powerful deity (as claimed) really existed? His subtle non-free-will influence could make this world near Heaven.

Or conversely how pathetically weak He must be in the face of evil?

Good point bw!

[Willum]

[Replying to 1213]

I do feel sorry for those of you who believe the Bible, and most particularly, those who believe in the monstrously deity portrayed In Noahs ark.
Believing such a treacherous and horrible creature is your only hope for salvation, must be depressing.

[1213]

This is certainly an easy argument to make for those who believe they will be given eternal life. Like the owners of the neighborhoods' meanest dog, they have no reason to worry about the monster they feed. This kind of God, in the eyes of it's worshippers, is fine as long as they aren't bitten

Bible tells eternal life is for righteous. I dont think I am righteous enough to get eternal life. But still, I think it is good, if only righteous people get eternal life. If unrighteous would live forever, they would make life eternal suffering for all. If I am not righteous, I hope I dont live forever.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Mat. 25:46

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

[1213]

The fact that you so casually excuse the murderous actions of the biblical god demonstrates that your faith has seriously depleted your sense of empathy. ..

Murder is unlawful killing. God has given life, so I think He has right to decide how long it lasts and therefore I think it is not a murder, if God kills. But I dont think this has anything to do with empathy. If God has a right, He has, and it is not changed by feelings.

And Bible tells eternal life is for righteous. If unrighteous people would live forever, they would turn it to eternal suffering for all. Dont you have any empathy for those who would suffer, if unrighteous would live forever?

But what do you say about people who abort people or accept euthanasia? If I dont accept those acts, it is said that I have no empathy. And if I accept that God kills, then it is also said I dont have empathy. So, whatever I do, people would say I have no empathy.

As you believe a person has "no good reason to complain" if your god decides to end their life, would you be capable of ending someone's life if you believed that your god had ordered you to do so?

I think people dont have the right for that and it would be against the teachings that are given to disciples of Jesus. That is why I dont believe God would give such order. Also, if I would think God is giving that order, I would think it is possible that I have misunderstood and therefore I believe I would not do that.