If God is so merciful, then why did Jesus have to be sacrificed?

[thedoc]

Jesus did not teach Hate, but most extremists preach hate for some who do not follow their particular interpretation of Jesus.

[Belinda]

than what is a True Christian?

I suppose that it is the high head men in Christian churches who decided what a man has to believe to be true Christian. I have been told that the belief that confers true Christianhood is the belief that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected and thus saved us from death and sin. Christianity is different in this accent on belief from Islam in which a man has to do certain rituals to be a true Muslim: the seven Pillars of Islam.Or was it five Pillars, I cannot remember.

[osgart]

I have my own self created religion anyway. part fiction part agnostic and inferred from science by my own interpretation.

[Belinda]

I have my own self created religion anyway. part fiction part agnostic and inferred from science by my own interpretation.

But its not a religion if its not an organisation among several people. I would have expected you to be independent of organised religion.

[osgart]

I'm not opposed to religion. I'm opposed to cults.

it appears I even have my own definition of religion. And that is the things one relies on and has faith in and practices without knowing empirically if it is so or not. It's based on reality and experience and things I've read about . but since the unknown is vast i like to have rules for myself to follow.

[osgart]

interpretating Jesus I would say his best teaching is forgiveness and mercy toward your enemies and let truth judge those who don't repent of evil.

The other I agree with is to pray for those who persecute you.

but what about the need for just laws for governing humanity.

punishing evil is a necessity. As well as self defense.

[Immanuel Can]

Just my two cents. Thanks again for yours.

I think this sums it up pretty nicely,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwkgGPvClF4

There's something to that. But I would suggest that may not really be it.

Yes, of course the Supreme Being would be, we might say, would be by definition, beyond human comprehension in some ways. And yes, "demanding" answers is irreverent -- though I'm always amazed at the grace of God inputting up with human temerity. (It's almost as if He knows we are upset, and that he tolerates a fair bit of abruptness on our part because of it.) Still, I think God wants us to know Him, and knowing means being free to ask the questions that burden the human heart. And what burdens it more heavily than injustice?

I would suggest that God is not, in that sense, a "hidden" God, but rather One who reveals himself to those who approach Him in good conscience, and who is pleased to make Himself known to those who seek Him. He is not a perpetual "mystery," no matter that some dimensions of His character are beyond us. He is a self-revealing God -- though, of course, never without the condition of faith.

[Immanuel Can]

than what is a True Christian?

I suppose that it is the high head men in Christian churches who decided what a man has to believe to be true Christian. I have been told that the belief that confers true Christianhood is the belief that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected and thus saved us from death and sin. Christianity is different in this accent on belief from Islam in which a man has to do certain rituals to be a true Muslim: the seven Pillars of Islam.Or was it five Pillars, I cannot remember.

Five. And yes, that's nicely put.

[Vendetta]

punishing evil is a necessity. As well as self defense.

How can we say that punishing evil is a necessity when we are uncertain as to the exact role of evil?

[thedoc]

Yes, of course the Supreme Being would be, we might say, would be by definition, beyond human comprehension in some ways.

I attribute many qualities to God, and patience and tolerance are two of those qualities.

[thedoc]

interpretating Jesus I would say his best teaching is forgiveness and mercy toward your enemies and let truth judge those who don't repent of evil.

The other I agree with is to pray for those who persecute you.

but what about the need for just laws for governing humanity.

punishing evil is a necessity. As well as self defense.

First you must define what is evil, and then you must decide how to punish it, or is that God's job?

[osgart]

whoever the lawful authority is. It's up to us to keep the streets safe. ultimately it's the deserved authority of God. in the meantime someone on earth has to give law.

[Immanuel Can]

punishing evil is a necessity. As well as self defense.

How can we say that punishing evil is a necessity when we are uncertain as to the exact role of evil?

Good question.

If there is no ultimate standard of good and evil, then it must follow that those words are simply expressions of either liking or not liking a particular action or value. Such can be held by the individual, a culture or nation, or a "justice" system approved by a culture or nation...but in all cases, since the likes of individuals, cultures and nations are contingent and changeable, so to the concepts good and evil would have to be understood as contingent and changeable.

So there's no longer any "necessity" of punishing "evil." For nothing at all, no matter how liked or not-liked it may be at the moment, is specifically, absolutely, or permanently "evil." Even outright genocide would become a contingent value; and it could only be said to be an "evil" if the dominant local population agreed it was.

Dostoevsky said, "If God is dead, everything is permissible." There again we see the wisdom of his observation.

[Immanuel Can]

Yes, of course the Supreme Being would be, we might say, would be by definition, beyond human comprehension in some ways.

I attribute many qualities to God, and patience and tolerance are two of those qualities.

Indeed so.

And I would add that I think He's unafraid of our questions about the ostensible lack of justice in the world. I would say that those who are suffering injustice should not be ashamed to ask the question. I do believe He wishes to provide the answer, so much as we can grasp.

[osgart]

conscience makes obvious that evil is in fact evil. a person would have to warp their very conscience not to recognize the absolute standard of conscience.