Religious tolerance

"Do you believe that God is awesome, powerful, can do anything? That he can overcome the devil?
Have you read the book of Job?"

If he's got a moment he might like to deal with the refugee crisis if it's not too much to ask.

"Was your husband a Christian?" - for goodness sake soon - how can you ask such a question of someone who is widowed. His religion is irrelevant. He was a loved husband - that is what matters. I dread to think what appalling ideas you will attach to whatever the answers to these questions are.

This thread is about religious tolerance, and sadly it is the sort of views that you propound that make such tolerance a huge challenge.

I find the robotic quality of this sort of belief system truly terrifying.

soon, I have read Job, yes God is all powerful , doesn't follow he chooses his power to pick and choose.

I do not believe in hell in the afterlife, I think we can make our own hell in this life

My husband was a Christian , he did wrestle after a few years in the police force though, his first accident scene was grim, a young mother killed and he had to take her three little one's away from her body so she could be taken from the crash. He went on to work in C I D, was scene of crimes officer for a while, photographing victims of murder, suicide, crashes, fires doesn't make for a happy day. He went to the MET to work with vice for a while , child abuse and rape does affect the sanest of minds . He died on a drugs raid , he didn't die because he was wrestling with his faith, he died because the car crashed, he was thrown out of the car, broke his jaw, was unconscious, fell on his back and choked to death on his blood , that simple really . Accidents happened, they are not God arranged . He was not ill.

Luckygirl, it's fine, I said I had no problem with questions , I hope soon will understand that it is possible to be a Christian without having to be fearful of some God of vengeance

soon, did he not say - I am a God slow to anger and abounding in STEADFAST love

anniebach I feel very humbled by your posts. Just saying

same here annie

This thread sounds very bullying towards soon. It is a fact that Christians believe that God can lessen pain, or at least make it more bearable, through prayer. That is all soon has asserted.

Jesus said that whatever we ask of God in his (Jesus's) name, will be granted. BUT you have to have utter and complete faith. And pray long and hard. Not easy to meet that criteria.

I don't think it's necessary to trot out all the bad things that have happened in your life, just make another feel bad.

You have twisted soon's words and thoughts. And it's the usual suspects. Again. #Gransnet

oh look

jingle, not a case of trotting out bad things, it is using bad happenings for the good of others, doesn't trouble me in the slightest that it can be claimed people can be healed or eased of pain by prayer, give a thought for anyone reading this thread , who is grieving, has a child with an illness or disability which cannot be cured , who may have prayed or may think - perhaps if I had prayed , what of that pain

Didn't know we were posting selfies?

I knew this would happen - it always does

What's happened ?

Polarisation and accusations of bullying. I see no bullying, just different views, so leave it be, jings

I don't think soontobe sees bullying either.

Anniebach the fact is that it is documented in the bible that Jesus said that. (Lilies of the field thing?) and that is what soon has been asserting.

I think that any Christian would wrestle with things your husband witnessed Anniebach

I think that you and I are both fine to carry on?

One more question and then I think that is it.

Do you believe in God's supremacy?

jingle Anniebach was, I think, responding to soon's point which was something along the lines of if you believe enough and pray hard enough your prayer will be answered. She felt quite strongly that such statements imply that those who experience tragedy were somehow lacking in faith. soon then went on to ask several personal questions, which anniebach replied to.

I recall in the past you have made some pretty acerbic comments about soon's posts so I don't understand why you feel it necessary to criticise others for expressing their strongly held views. soon has made some bold but questionable statements on this thread which were likely to disturb (in particular) religious Gransnetters and provoke a response.

soon, I am fine. Please understand I accept your beliefs are strong as are mine, I decided a long time ago that looking for answers in the OT was not for me, too many contradictions . Not that choosing to try to live by the teachings of the NT is easier, I think it's harder

If I stole from someone who stole from me I could just comfort myself with - an eye for an eye etc, OT

Just what do you mean by God's supremacy ?

the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power or status.

God seems to be completely powerless at the moment. Either that or very cruel.

Yes soon, but never forgetting he gave is free will

Jingle , I can't agree , all that we see happening is caused by man, mans greed, what would you want God to do? Start sending thunderbolts on some? He sent us Christ who taught us how to live, we choose to ignore these teachings

Anniebach Although I agree with you that humankind is often solely responsible for the misery in the world, it is not responsible for all the tragedies that befall people.

As a non-religious person, I find it hard to understand how believers can square the notion of a loving God when that same God is responsible for the creation of a universe and all that exists in it, including tsunamis, earthquakes, famine, disease, etc. - which cause so much pain and misery to both humans and other animals.

I understand why you say that Eloethan, I ask the same, but I accept that there is not an answer to every question and acceptance which is so difficult is part of faith . I remember during a very low point I got so angry and was having a rant at my priest , I yelled - tell me, why me ? , he replied - tell me why not you. I had no answer for him.

You believe in God's supremacy

Perhaps it was pain soon, he never said so we will never know . Not comfortable with your opinion that God could have taken the pain away but thought Paul needed it etc
In that part it also goes on to say that when we[Christians] are weak with whatever life throws at us, that is the times when we are strong, as Christ's power dwells with us.

Also, regarding God's supremacy
Romans 9 particularly verses 9-21 points it out rather well.
Gods choices are exercised throughout the Bible. Another place is Jeremiah chpt 18.

I'm sick of that argument anniebach. A thunderbolt or two would be good.