There is definitely no loving God. Fact.

I wonder if the mother of the child in the Yemen would agree with you?
Someone who kills in the name of their god would probably argue that theirs is the one true god. That's the trouble with god he/she can be used to justify all sorts of things.

Yes that's true trisher religion is often used to justify man's inhumanity to man. God can also conveniently be blamed for the evil acts of man usually for His 'failure' to intervene.

That said, it doesn't represent "the trouble with (G)god" but the trouble with man kind.

I don't believe in God but I try to be kind, loving, tolerant, forgiving and all the things that I think human beings should be. Sometimes I fail. I have been to many churches to support other people as I respect their beliefs and their right to believe.

My DC were not christened but went to Church Schools and Sunday school. I felt they could learn about religion and make their own informed choices eventually. I did not discuss my own beliefs when they were young. They did not choose to believe and used the same strategies with their own children.

Now two DGD's have been baptised and one of them confirmed in the last couple of months. Before this they showed no interest in religion. As many of the oldest DGD's class were also being confirmed I suspect some peer pressure. The younger one (8yrs old) was told by her mother, 'You may as well get done (baptised) at the same time'. I must say I found it hard to keep quiet but I did.

I went to the services. The vicar and the Bishop who did the confirmation were lovely with the children. I have the unfortunate habit of listening to what is said in church , which many of the congregation don't seem to do, and I was struck when the Bishop said 'Christians are here for the non believers' and 'whether you believe or not you are welcome to join in these celebrations'.

Well I am not converted. The cynic in me thought it was an excellent marketing technique. After all it is good insurance 'just in case'. I do not mean to disrespect anyone's belief and I am happy that religion can be a support to those who need it, but I have accepted that there are bad things and people in the world. On the other hand I feel that they are far outnumbered by the good. I know that when I die I will be recycled and that some of my genes will live on in descendants. That is enough for me.

Still there is the theory that if we are made in god's image he must have been fairly young and busy when he made us and, like many things are with anyone, we have been left to get on with things whilst he did other more interesting stuff. He might eventually decide to come back and sort things out but he might not. Oh and of course if he is omnipotent and all powerful the worship of a few people on a little planet means absolutely nothing to him.

When you love trisher you want the recipients of that love to love you in return. God doesn't want us to worship Him He wants us to love him and He wants us to do that because we want too which is why we have free will.

Can't say I've ever come across that theory but God didn't leave us "to get on with things" He sent His son to die for us, He gave us the opportunity to be with Him for eternity by accepting Him and Jesus in our lives.

'You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink'. God didn't create automatons to control and when He saw the mess mankind was making of the lives He'd given, He sent salvation. It's up to us whether or not we choose to accept His wonderful gift.

I believe in God. Is it always easy. No it is not. I do not blame God for the bad things others do in his name but it is still hard to understand "why bad things happen to good people". All I can tell you is that for me there has been something within me from a child that had a belief. It did not come from my parents who were 2 of the nicest people I have ever met but they were not in any way religious. It was just there. I don't feel the need to justify my faith but it does surprise me that others who say they have no faith condem God for all today's problems. If you don't believe there is a God how can you blame this figure you don't believe exists. Yet you expect those of us who do believe to blame him or challenge us to justify all the bad things that happen in the world. I can't. Firstly I'm not clever enough and secondly I would not know how to explain what it is I feel or even why I feel the way I do. It is just there and it is called faith, and hope.

It's a theoretical argument Crafting you can have them about all sorts of things. And I have yet to see any argument that successfully explains the situation in Yemen and the boy's death. If you have faith that's fine for you. But I wonder if you lived in Yemen would you still believe?

I don't know trisher. I can only go on what I feel in the life I live but I do know that there are many people who have lost their faith because of some tradegy in their lives and many others who have been through the most appalling suffering who cling to their faith and some who die for it. I just find it odd that people who say they don't believe in God blame him for all the troubles in the world.

You can't have a theoretical argument about faith trisher, you either have it or you don't.

That's a cop out Smileless2012 As Socrates said "The unexamined life is not worth living"

Socrates was only a man giving his opinion.

No, it isn't a cop out trisher it's true and quoting Socrates does nothing for your argument. For me as a Christian examining my life is a big part of my faith and relationship with God.

Well,what can I say. I live my life in the best way I can. I try and live my life to help any one that needs any help. I have secondary progressive multiplesclerosis and breast cancer. I have a faith that seems to be dying. I agree with all of you. We call god father. How can a father stand back and do nothing. There is the concentration camps from the second world . So terrible . I attend the Christy hospital and to se some of the children there is heart wrenching. I don't have an answer, but the sad thing is I will still say my prayers tonight.

As I think I’ve said before, it is human beings that do these atrocious acts to each other not a God.

A Minister, many years ago said there are no athiests in lifeboats. Food for thought.

The version of God that is supposed to be able to intervene in this world is anthropomorphic. God is not Superman but is undivided wholeness, where suffering does not exist.

I believe God is as heart-broken as we are by the awful suffering in the world. It's not what he wanted for us. However he has also given us free will. Freedom to make our own choices. He's given us a beautiful environment to live in, but we are squandering its resources, squabbling over territory, not looking after the poor and needy, so what do we expect? It's us human beings that have created all of this. We have nearly eradicated God from our lives, schools, hearts. So let's soften those hearts and take responsibility. It starts with us. My tiny first step towards making a change today is to smile at the first person I see and listen to Where Is The Love by The Black Eyed Peas.
Join me..? Wishing you a joy-filled day x

Well the god of the bible is certainly not a loving god. He is a malevolent misogynistic mass murderer who endorses slavery, human sacrifice and genocide, to name a few of his crimes.

NonnaBeth1 I do so agree with you. It will be Man who brings about the end of the world not God ,I believe. There is so much goodness in the world but also so much evil.We can't know everything but I believe we have to try and do our little bit to extend goodness and kindness and overcome evil.

Yes, we are told that we are made in God's image, but if you want to take a text literally that was probably always supposed to be metaphorical, you ought to remember that the first man and woman chose to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge.

Since then human beings are supposed to be able to distinguish between good and evil.

If we followed the commandments, or even just the one that says, "Thou shalt not kill!" neither children nor adults would be dying in fear and pain due to warfare.

So please, do not blame God for our sins.

I'm with you Anniebach.
People have free will, and it's greedy selfish people that cause the wars in the world. It doesn't make sense to me to blame God for what humans do.
And maybe that little boy is with God now. I certainly hope so.

Commonsense and science tell me that there is NO God, never has been. People may as well believe in Santa Claus.

This post title and the post itself has been popping in my head since christmas. I keep think Jings was right. If there is a god and I did believe until recently then why is my young DiL terminally ill, worse still why does she have to suffer so. Isn’t it bad enough that she knows she dying, isn’t it bad enough that she knows she won’t rear her babies why oh why does she have to suffer so much illness and pain. What I really can’t get my head around is why my innocence, kind, sweet grandchildren won’t ever remember how beautiful, vivacious their lovely mummy was. They are not only going to be robbed of their mummy but all they will remember is her looking and being so very very sick. Perhaps I’m getting bitter but I just think Jings is right what loving god would visit this horror on an ordinary loving family

Oh morethan I am so sorry you are all going through such a hard time. I am very inept at explaining these things but I do not believe God brings these things to us. I can well understand why you feel as you do. Your whole family must be suffering unbearably. Innocent people suffering is one of the greatest barriers to belief/faith all I can say is that I do not believe God would do this to you and that he is there for you to turn to. Easy words for me and if I were in your situation I do not know how I would feel. I have the greatest sympathy for you I cannot imagine how you must struggle to hold together your son and beloved grandchildren through such sad times. I hope someone with a better way with words can offer some help to you. I mean no offence (and I am not some religious nutcase or over the top Christian) I do have faith and have been praying for your family since I first saw your thread about your DIL some time ago. God is with you more. It may not feel like it but he is and I hope you find some peace. I am so very, very sorry for all you are going through

So sorry for your sadness more than, it's so hard to see our loved ones suffer. However, I would propose that this is why a faith in God is even more important to those who are in pain. God promises so much more than this human struggle we find ourselves in. I believe the end of suffering and pain will come but it will be in God's time not ours. Whether we like it or not, God is intimately involved with everyone of His children. Our pain is His pain.
He is carrying us during these times. Feel His loving arms around you. God is outside human time limits but it doesn't mean He is any less involved. God is waiting with arms outstretched and He will run to meet us, we just need to open our hearts..xx