OkieSmokie
Member
I do believe in God and as a result of his creation we humans were given the ability to "believe" and the choice to do so or not.
Throughout the centuries humans, being evil by nature, have used the need to believe as a way to coerce others in order to advance their own agenda and to gain wealth and power. Many atrocities have been committed by humans in the name of "God". But I contend that God does not condone atrocities and just because people "various religions" use the name of God for their justification does not mean that they are right. Those very same religions, by their misuse of the name of God have caused many to resent or deny his existance.
If God does not exist, how then do we explain evil? The basic understanding of right and wrong is more than a mere social construct. It is inate in our beings. We intuitively understand that certain things are "wrong".
If there is no God who is good, then there is no Evil and therefore there is no wrong. If you dont get caught by a person who punishes you, then you are free to do whatever you like.
I think that each and every person who denies God's existance would still argue that certain things are inherently wrong. But I ask, why are they wrong?
Someone who truely believes that all is permitted and acceptable and proceeds to do all he desires, kills who he pleases, rapes as he pleases, steals what he pleases, etc... this person is a monster.
Now if you believe all these things are permitted and yet you hold back, why do you do so? What is it in you that causes your self-restraint?
Throughout the centuries humans, being evil by nature, have used the need to believe as a way to coerce others in order to advance their own agenda and to gain wealth and power. Many atrocities have been committed by humans in the name of "God". But I contend that God does not condone atrocities and just because people "various religions" use the name of God for their justification does not mean that they are right. Those very same religions, by their misuse of the name of God have caused many to resent or deny his existance.
If God does not exist, how then do we explain evil? The basic understanding of right and wrong is more than a mere social construct. It is inate in our beings. We intuitively understand that certain things are "wrong".
If there is no God who is good, then there is no Evil and therefore there is no wrong. If you dont get caught by a person who punishes you, then you are free to do whatever you like.
I think that each and every person who denies God's existance would still argue that certain things are inherently wrong. But I ask, why are they wrong?
Someone who truely believes that all is permitted and acceptable and proceeds to do all he desires, kills who he pleases, rapes as he pleases, steals what he pleases, etc... this person is a monster.
Now if you believe all these things are permitted and yet you hold back, why do you do so? What is it in you that causes your self-restraint?