Hi Thomas,
>>But back up, and ask yourself, why would an all powerful God allow such a tragedy in the first place? It doesn't make any sense.<<
Sometimes I ask the same types of questions. Part of me wonders though, who am I to question God? Is God someone I can manipulate? Am I the judge? What does God see that I do not? What do I see that God does not?
Do you believe in God as a single, sentient being; or perhaps a committee ala Zeus and the rest?
Is there an ultimate power; a single being who built and controls everything? Many - be they Christians, Jews, Moslems, Catholics, or one of many other sects - believe there is.
Is there free will or predestination?
Once a man asked why those who lived upright lives were afflicted with all manner of tragedy and diseases while those who lived wicked lives often seemed to get by for a great while unscathed. The answer he found was that the upright are afflicted to show that only God is necessary for happiness, while the wicked "had everything" except God and were miserable for it.
Much religion does appear to be thinly veiled social control, but everyone seems to yearn for a "Christ" or "Truth" or "Unconditional Love." The irony of Christianity and the other faiths is just that - as odd as it may sound, they wouldn't be valid if they were provable. Faith is something special a person gains when they become convinced of a certain scheme of things, without being able to prove it.
Christians are called to testify, not win debates. Ask a Christian about their personal experience with Christ; ask what type of person they find Christ to be. That would probably cut through a lot of misunderstandings.
There is definitely a large mystery out there to be solved. Faith solves - or at least begins to solve it - it for many. The beatitudes alone bring great comfort to many.
FWIW
Andy |
