Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 7/1/84; site seismo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!unc!mcnc!decvax!genrad!wjh12!harvard!seismo!keith
From: keith@seismo.UUCP (Keith Bostic)
Newsgroups: net.religion,net.misc
Subject: Re: Is god a bad example?
Message-ID: <1695@seismo.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 29-Jun-84 19:06:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: seismo.1695
Posted: Fri Jun 29 19:06:14 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Jul-84 01:32:21 EDT
References: <275@ihu1e.UUCP>
Organization: Center for Seismic Studies, Arlington, VA
Lines: 37

I read with interest the article on God being a bad example.  I'm not
currently supporting any particular religious format, so I suppose I'm
as middle-of-the-road as anyone.  

A general comment rather than a specific point-by-point essay.  I guess
what bothers me most about the whole article is the judgemental attitude
toward God.  If God exists, if God is God, I don't think it's reasonable
to say: 

> If god does exist and I ever get to meet him I expect to spend
> more  time chewing him out than thanking him for anything 

From the Biblical viewpoint, pride isn't too good a deal; also, there are
some fairly specific quotes reflecting that God's "ways" are *not* man's
way and that His way is superior.  From a layman's viewpoint, the ability
to judge God implies that God isn't God.  

Quite frankly, *by definition*, if God exists, mankind doesn't know anything.
Saying that you plan to spend your time with God "chewing him out" seems
to be both naive and ridiculous.  Somehow it kind of reminds me of my
childhood; when I got furious with my parents for not doing what *I* wanted
them to do, usually because I just didn't understand/wasn't mature enough
to know what was going on.  Believe or disbelieve in God; that's a reasonable
choice.  In the light of your own morality, evaluate the effect that religion
has or hasn't had on society.  But don't say you have the ability to judge
God.  That just doesn't make any sense at all.
		Countin' the woodchucks on the head of a pin,
		Keith 
			ARPA: keith@seismo 
			UUCP: seismo!keith

p.s.	To be honest, the *only* Christian experience that really makes
	sense to me (in light of my *own* morality) is an explicit "God
	the Father" one.  If as the Bible claims, God is really there,
	and really cares, well, then, it's just like being three; you 
	take your dad's advice blindly -- because you trust it more than
	your own.