On religion

[d000hg]

The Jews, you mean? Why did he pick them?

I've no idea.

Probably a boring and simplistic question for believers, but I'll ask it;

One is quite a friendly individual who does his bit for society, helps othersout when possible, considers others when taking decisions and is basically a good egg, but doesn't pray or practise a religion as he's not convinced that there's a god. The other is a complete asshole who tramples all over other people's needs, enriches himself through enslavement, kills a few people along the way but prays and goes to church regularly.

Who goes to hell? Who goes to heaven?

Assuming the second person merely goes to church by rote, as suggested by your description both people are in precisely the same boat.

I think the whole western idea of Heaven as a 'reward for your life' is fundamentally incorrect, to be honest. Heaven is simply described as being with God, and Hell as being without God, for eternity.

[Platypus]

Probably a boring and simplistic question for believers, but I'll ask it;

One is quite a friendly individual who does his bit for society, helps othersout when possible, considers others when taking decisions and is basically a good egg, but doesn't pray or practise a religion as he's not convinced that there's a god. The other is a complete asshole who tramples all over other people's needs, enriches himself through enslavement, kills a few people along the way but prays and goes to church regularly.

Who goes to hell? Who goes to heaven?

If God were good, the answer is obvious. Therefore, there'd no point following a religion as the good end up in heaven anyway.

I've always wondered why God is so obsessed with people having to believe in him. Why does he care if someone believes, just so long as they are good, that should be sufficient.

[Mich the Tester]

If God were good, the answer is obvious. Therefore, there'd no point following a religion as the good end up in heaven anyway.

I've always wondered why God is so obsessed with people having to believe in him. Why does he care if someone believes, just so long as they are good, that should be sufficient.

Maybe he isn't, but lots of people have told you he is.

[NotAllThere]

I did when I mentioned infanticide, but perhaps wasn't clear. God murdered all the first born sons of Egypt because of Pharaoh's disobedience. Or was it execution, as God is a legitimate judicial authority?

The angel of death was the one who killed the kids. Not God. He permitted it, but didn't do the deed. The question is whether he instigated it, or allowed a being that was wanting to do it to have his way?

[vetran]

Maybe he isn't, but lots of people who want to control you have told you he is.

now that I believe

[d000hg]

So the first born sons of Egypt earned God's fair and just wrath? I find this so puzzling.

You're viewing things through a modern Western individualistic lens, which isn't appropriate. It's maybe (but probably not) like docking a football team points because their fans act badly.

I did when I mentioned infanticide, but perhaps wasn't clear. God murdered all the first born sons of Egypt because of Pharaoh's disobedience. Or was it execution, as God is a legitimate judicial authority?

Murder is defined as unlawful killing. It's by definition impossible for God to do anything unlawful.

Glib I know.

[vetran]

The angel of death was the one who killed the kids. Not God. He permitted it, but didn't do the deed. The question is whether he instigated it, or allowed a being that was wanting to do it to have his way?

he doesn't get off that easy. He created everything and can control everything so he did it.

[speling bee]

The angel of death was the one who killed the kids. Not God. He permitted it, but didn't do the deed. The question is whether he instigated it, or allowed a being that was wanting to do it to have his way?

Who sent the plagues?

"This is what the LORD says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again.' ”

— Exodus 11:4–6

Of course Pharaoh could have obeyed God, except God hardens his heart so that he won't obey and then God can show his power:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.

— Exodus 7:1–5

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

If God were good, the answer is obvious. Therefore, there'd no point following a religion as the good end up in heaven anyway.

I've always wondered why God is so obsessed with people having to believe in him. Why does he care if someone believes, just so long as they are good, that should be sufficient.

I guess this is another simple answer:

Has the person realised or attempted to realise the purpose of his existence?

[speling bee]

You're viewing things through a modern Western individualistic lens, which isn't appropriate. It's maybe (but probably not) like docking a football team points because their fans act badly.

Murder is defined as unlawful killing. It's by definition impossible for God to do anything unlawful.

Glib I know.

So execution it is. Or judicial murder within a tyranny, if you prefer.