Questions For God

  . . . but - I am white. In my capacity as an employee of my local county public school system, I recently had a mother inform me that her daughter (who is black) had told her that two girls (who are white) said to her daughter that they "couldn't be her friend because she is black . "   The mother told me she had already contacted the school about this issue.  I determined the names of the two white girls and let the principal know as well.  I honestly had no idea how this incident should be handled. So, why would these white girls say such a thing?  How could they have possibly come to this way of thinking at such a young age?  I mean, kindergarten and 1st grade kids? ~    ~    ~ About 60 years ago my family lived in a small town in southern Maryland - I was in the 1st grade.  The school I was attending was Great Mills Elementary School, an old school that was built in the late 1920's.   I have just a few memories of my time there, which was just for the 1st grade

  THOMAS AQUINAS "In order that the happiness of the saints may be more delightful to them and that they may render more copious thanks to God for it, they are allowed to see perfectly the sufferings of the damned. So that they may be urged the more to praise God. The saints in heaven know distinctly all that happens to the damned." Summa Theologica, Third Part, Supplement, Question XCIV, "Of the Relations of the Saints Towards the Damned," First Article, "Whether the Blessed in Heaven Will See the Sufferings of the Damned?" JONATHAN EDWARDS "The sight of hell torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell? I tell you, yea ! Such will be his sense of justice that it will increase rather than diminish his bliss."   "The Eternity of Hell Torments" (Sermon), April 1739 & Discourses on Various Important Subjects, 1738 I am often surprised that t

  Beginning at about the 31:00 minute mark in the discussion on the Skeptics and Seekers podcast: Mac says: " . . . God does inform people on what is right and wrong via his revealed word, via their consciences, via the holy spirit , all these things and its not simply that humans are left to themselves to come up with what's right and whats wrong.  And that doesn't also mean that there can't be atheists who are better people like morally speaking than a Christian. " Mac claims that humans derive their morality from god via three sources: The bible Human conscience The holy spirit He finished his claim by admitting that atheists, not only can be as moral as Christians, but can even be  more moral than Christians . So, let me get this straight - God instills good morals in Christians by three sources (bible, conscience, holy spirit) but for an atheist who doesn't read the bible and is not indwelt, or at least "informed" by this holy spirit, the ath

I am a Photographian Pho.to.graph.ian adjective relating to the beliefs of photography and it's teachings. noun a person who is of the Photographian religion or is a believer in and devote of Photography. My religion is Photography.  I have been a Photographian for the past 55 years, since I was about 11 years old and was first introduced to the  Photographian  faith by my grandparents, who gave me my first camera - a Kodak 126 Instamatic.   Even during my 25 years as a Christian (beginning around age 17), Photography never left my mind - I was still a member of the Photographian religion the entire time that I was a member of the Christian religion.  I found it very easy to be a Photographer, even while I was a Christian.  There were a few times that my dedication to, and my love for Photography conflicted with my love for, and dedication to Christianity.  I even documented one such conflict in my journal - below is the actual entry:  May 1987 Since my last entry, in my judgment,

Firstborn Son Exodus 22:29-30 You shall not delay to make offerings from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall remain with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me . What the hell?  Why did bible-god demand the Hebrew first born? I am a "first born son". Should I be glad that my parents were not ancient Hebrews?  I am very glad. Should I be glad that my parents were not modern day Christian fanatics?  I am ecstatic. Why did bible-god kill - specifically -  the "first born" of the Egyptians? What is it with the "first born" that this god was so obsessed with?   Why did he want them dead: first born cows, sheep, Hebrews and Egyptians? What a scary movie, this god character is. bob r.u.reasonable@gmail.com

  "Must not contradict. . ." "But monster can't help self. . ." "Aaaaarrrrr" Invasion of the Contradiction Monster   staring Macenstein Is it any wonder that many Christians refuse to recognize contradictions in the bible? No - it is perfectly understandable - when you see that some Christians can't even type two paragraphs without contradicting themselves. A bit of a quick recap - below is a short exchange that Mac and I had: bob - (referring to Jesus as) ". . .  a dead apocalyptic prophet who roamed Palestine for 3 years before he was executed for sedition some 2,000 years ago ." Mac - " No Christian of any variety ever ascribes this description to Jesus, so by your own admission, you were never a Christian." Mac doesn't seem to understand that this is my view of Jesus NOW , as an atheist / former Christian.  This was NOT my view of Jesus THEN , when I was a Christian. Mac - " You were just pretending to be one,

  1 - He was born. I could easily believe this.  I was born.  Every person that I have ever known, seen, and heard of has been born.  Claiming that someone was born is no more than mundane. 1a - He was born of a virgin .    They just couldn't leave it alone, could they?  The authors of Matthew and Luke are the only ones that mention this "virgin birth".  Why couldn't they be satisfied with the simple, normal, natural story of the birth of Jesus?  Why did they have to add this utterly absurd claim that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was impregnated supernaturally by God? 2 - He died by crucifixion. This is believable.  Historians know that this was a common form of execution that the Roman authorities inflicted on many that were found guilty of particular crimes.  One of those crimes was sedition, of which Jesus had been found guilty of (according to the bible). 2a - He arose from the dead. Why ? ? ? did they add this absurd supernatural claim to the death of Jesus.  This

  So you want to know my views on Christianity.   Here is my current (in a sentence) view of your religion - and I have arrived at this view after 25 years from the inside, as a Christian believer myself, and after almost 25 years from the outside as a former Christian: I find much of Christianity to be objectionable and disturbing.     Now, I would suggest, dear Christian, before you make any attempt to evangelize me, go ahead and tell me what your views are with regard to:   Donald Trump Abortion rights Child sex abuse amongst Christian ministers Uber-wealthy Christian ministers Gun rights The science of biological evolution The age of planet earth Biblical inerrancy Biblical literalism Biblical slavery Water Baptism Circumcision Let's start with topic #1: Donald Trump I am actually much more concerned with YOUR views on Trump than I am with MY views on Jesus .    Before you try to win me over to the Lord, tell me what you actually believe with regard to Trump.  There is a ver