Calling out the true believers

[SchizoDeluxe]

This is a question I came across recently which I have put out there to a few people in the hopes of calling out (or possibly weeding out) the true believers of a god and the fakes. The question is:

If god appeared to you and asked you to kill your child, would you do it?

The question is meant to be hypothetical and the answer would show who truly believed in their god. Any sane person would say no they would not, therefore, since they do not believe in their god, that would make them an atheist which really confirms that most moderate religious people are not really believers, they just wish it were true. After all, if you truly truly believe in your god and all that he would say and do, then you would not question the motives and simply follow on your faith. But it would still be interesting to see what answers would come back.

[davo]

depends if my kid believed in it or not.




that was a joke btw

[GenericBox]

I've always had trouble considering people true believers. Because they are so hypocritical. As I said in my other post.

I think that most 'believers' think their religion is a nice idea, it is a nice concept, that they have a God up there watching over them, but if their life depended on it, or the life of a loved one depended on it - they would not hold these beliefs. Having said that, many do, and many continue to do so in life-threatening situations. I just can't help but feel that the average joe religious (except Islam and Hindu) will continue to claim religiousity just because in the end they are afraid of the consequences of not believing in it. And do not per se, actually believe in what is preached.

[GenericBox]

After watching 'The Leader' episode of Simpsons tonight I can't but feel Homer Simpson, and well, the entire family, are a representation of that non-belief but still go to church and claim to be apart of that religion.

[balans]

Originally Posted by GenericBox

After watching 'The Leader' episode of Simpsons tonight I can't but feel Homer Simpson, and well, the entire family, are a representation of that non-belief but still go to church and claim to be apart of that religion.

"Church, Cult - Cult, Church: Just a different place to go and be bored on Sunday" -Bart Simpson

Good episode.

If God appeared to me I maybe would do as he said, even though I currently don't believe there is a God. As a nonbeliever and skeptic it would take a hell of a lot to convince it really was God and not just some fraud with a beard and few magic tricks or a psychotic episode/drug trip.

[Fiery]

If god appeared and I truly believed it was god, I'd still tell him to jam it sideways. He's all knowing, all powerful, all good, and he wants me to murder my own flesh and blood? Nup. No can do. You want my son/daughter dead, do your own dirty work.

[GenericBox]

On Fiery's note. Why does God never seem to do his own dirty work (outside the bible this is). If he asked you to kill your child he is God, surely he could just smite them down or give them cancer or something. Why would he need a parent to do it to prove their faith?

Among the other things IMB said, he seems a little lazy overall. With everything really, from the creation of the Earth to the caring of his people. From one lazy person to another I can see where he has just gone, Stuff it, that'll do.

[eclectic]

Originally Posted by Fiery

If god appeared and I truly believed it was god, I'd still tell him to jam it sideways. He's all knowing, all powerful, all good, and he wants me to murder my own flesh and blood? Nup. No can do. You want my son/daughter dead, do your own dirty work.

Dito.

If God is so great and all-powerful etc, why is he so insecure and in need of worship by his own creations? Sounds like a pretty pathetic 'god' to me!

I think most people just want to believe in god, to make them feel all important and cared about. They choose a religion based on the culture and society that they are part of, or want to be part of, and ignore the bits that don't make them feel so safe and loved (ie. most of it) and just go for a general 'i'm loved by god' vibe.

[peterthames]

Depends if it really was god who appeared or whether it was just your inmagination, you just could not take the chance could you?

[Godless Ray]

I put the very same question to a Christian group on-line about a year ago. They ended up throwing me off I was to subversive.

The reply was shock horror MY GOD WOULD NEVER DO THAT!!!

I tried explaining that it actually was one of the more benevolant things God did from time to time. They replied but you have to the teachings in totality.

In a nutshell, they couldn't beleive that God or Jeebus could have a dark side even when it appears in their very own "good book".

This goes to something I said earlier about the quality of Christian marketing. It does have impact.

Godless Ray