Question for debate:bjs wrote:Here I can only say that we have a fundamentally different understanding of the Christian God.FarWanderer wrote:Weird, yes, but how are the actions of the Christian God any less inscrutable?bjs wrote:3. It is highly improbably that this alien would travel all this distance, blend into human form and society, all to create a false religion. The entire exercise seems pointless. It would mean that this alien not only choose to interact with people while intentionally lying to them, but also specifically set up a new religion knowing that this religion was false. At this point we pass being improbable and the idea become outright ludicrous.
Are God's actions (and inaction) more comprehensible to us than that of a hypothetical alien as the historical Jesus?
I will agree that the reasons for an alien coming to Earth in order to found a religion are pretty incomprehensible. However, I think the Christian God's actions are similarly incomprehensible.
Here I offer a list of questions for which Christians who would claim otherwise are accountable to answer. "God works in mysterious ways" and the like are not on the table this time.
Why does God allow suffering?
Why did God, omnipotent, rest on the 7th day?
Why does God create souls that he knows are bound for Hell?
Why was Jesus's sacrifice necessary for an omnipotent God?
Why did God let things get so bad that he had to flood the whole world? Why didn't he intervene earlier?
Why did God allow Satan into the Garden of Eden?
Why does God only reveal himself to very select people in very select times?
Why did Jesus's Resurrection have to happen 3 days after his death? Why wait for it to happen behind closed doors?
Why is the talent distribution among humans so seemingly arbitrary?
Why did God test Job? Why would he make a bet with Satan?
Why does God use Scripture to spread his word, instead of speaking to us directly?
Why did God permit slavery?
Anyone, feel free to add more. Should still be plenty.
