I'm always open. But I've already been on your side and decided it was not for me.
I re-submit, most of humanity would make the same choice NOW
I don't doubt it, although, you've seen the Russian communists pining for the old days. I think it's the right thing, too. However, I don't think a god can be purely benevolent and allow the suffering. Surely there is a way to give free will without the innocent suffering. If there isn't, then that is admitting that something is beyond the power of God. If there is, then God isn't doing it, thus not pure benevolence.
Given this world, infinite power, knowledge and benevolence cannot coexist. One must be less than infinite.
I’m sure you used the Latin to impress and it worked!
I wanted to define it first. After that I just think it sounds cool in the Latin. Anything sounds cool in Latin. For me it started with this line:
"What's this, then? "Romanes eunt domus"? People called Romanes, they go, the house?"
” However, I don’t think a god can be purely benevolent and allow the suffering. Surely there is a way to give free will without the innocent suffering.”
God is benevolent and forgiving. I have been the recipient of both on more occasions than I could ever recount here. He is also capable of righteous anger, for which I don’t blame Him (at all).
What we have come to believe, and I DON’T understand, is that we have a “right” to make our decisions and NOT have to accept the consequences. It seems that this is a legacy going all the way back. Children are the only “innocents” and they are the greatest examples of our “pain and loss” choices. It doesn’t have to be an earthquake that takes your child from you and not many would want to hear that it is part and parcel of our rejection of God’s plan. We want to blame something or someone else. We have no interest in personal accountability.
We are all just so smart- too intelligent, by far, to believe in God. We are just doing it so right on our own, aren’t we? This world, outside of God’s protection, has “bear traps” set precisely with the purpose of removing us from God or, even, to foster hatred for Him. Our self-importance doesn’t even allow us to see how we are used as a means to an end. And yes, I AM speaking of the devil here ( I believe he is true as well). In the great cosmic battle, we are the purpose on one side, and ammunition on the other.
Ultimately, I believe. I know you believe you are right, also. And it’s all good. We all make our way the best that we can. I also know that my belief won’t stop bad things from happening in my life. But my faith enables me to understand and gives me hope for the life beyond this one.
“Anything sounds cool in Latin”
LOL! I agree! But the only thing I remember from my Latin (a LOT of years ago) is “agricola, agricolas, agricolorum”
Scripture teaches we are in bondage to sin unless God regenerates us.
Scripture teaches that all have sinned. IOW, no one is innocent.