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Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IN_GOD_I_TRUST who wrote (23722)	1/1/1999 8:52:00 PM
From: mark silvers	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 39621

Steve, I am not sure that God punishes or rewards us during our lifetimes. I think we act, learn, grow, and behave, according to the choices and decisions we make. Hopefully, those decisions bring make us wiser and help us grow to love more unconditionally. Again, we have to make distinction between our physical bodies and lives , and God. the Christian religion is very straight forward about this diference. Different conduct and different expectations are placed upon both God and people. As human beings, we are subject to all kinds of factors that effect our decision making skills, and ability to achieve desired results. In fact, in Christianity we are described as fallen and less than perfect. so much so, that we need an intermediary to cleanse us of our sins, in order to even approach God. Do we need to punish people, even if we love them? Sometimes, yes, we do. However, that doesn't mean that punishment is the best route. Surely, if we could use unconditional love to achieve the same result, that would be not only more desireable, but more beneficial. Just because we are not always able to achieve that, doesn't mean that it is not to be desired. My contention is that< and i am sure you will agree, is that God does not act in a way that is less than perfect, at any time. Not once, not ever. Not slightly less than perfect, or almost perfect, but constant total perfection. Therefore, because you and I use less than perfect means (punishment) to a achieve a desired result, does not mean that God would use those means. Certainly never having to use eternal torture to achieve those results. As an example, imagine you own a dog. A good dog, but just a puppy who is sometimes to prone to lapses, as puppies are. Your particular puppy wets the carpet from time to time. Assume you can achieve the same eventual result from all three of the following methods. Which method would be best, remembering the final outcome is the same? 1. Patience, love, and gentle admonitions. taking the time to make sure he remembers what he is suppossed to do and where, never punishing, but constant praise. 2. rolling up a paper, firm but not hurtfull swats, praise when he does well. 3. beating the tar out of him whenever he does wrong. we are assuming the final outcome is the same in all three examples, because according to Christianity, God's will is always done. Eternal damnation is far more severe and infintely worse than any of the above. mark Again, I would rather be redundant than offensive, so let me state, that I am only answering your questions, not trying to tear anyones beliefs down. I hope that everyone receives everything they need from whatever they believe........