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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!philip@gva04.DEC (Phil Ward DEC Geneva Mgmt. Science)
From: philip@gva04.DEC (Phil Ward DEC Geneva Mgmt. Science)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: God and suffering
Message-ID: <389@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Sep-85 12:40:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.389
Posted: Tue Sep 10 12:40:30 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Sep-85 21:23:10 EDT
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Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
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	Re: message from Beth Christy, 4 Sep 1985, and earlier from Dan 
Boscovitch.

	It is ludicrous to say that suffering brings us closer to Christ. 
The Bible tells us that Christ suffered for our sins in order that we might
no longer suffer, and this illustrates the love of Christ for mankind. The 
message that God enjoys the suffering of his children, which is implicit in 
the teachings of the 'apostle' Paul and of the churches ever since, is 
abominable. 

	James said, "Consider it all joy when you go through various 
trials!" Yes, but trials <> suffering. A trial is like a training which 
enables us to rise in our spiritual evolution and come to know ourselves 
more fully and more deeply, and thus to know God more fully. It can be a 
blessing in disguise, just as the good things that happen to us can be a 
hindrance if we do not accept them with the right attitude. Gratuitous 
suffering, such as banging one's head on a brick wall or flagellating 
oneself, is quite different.

>> Paul said, "...that I might know the FELLOWSHIP of His suffering."

Paul was a fanatic and a sadist of the worst type. I cannot understand how 
his writings found their way into a holy book like the Bible. The 
fellowship of Christ lies in forgiveness and peace and harmony, not in 
suffering.


				/Phil Ward/
				DEC Management Science Group, Geneva

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Tue 10-Sep-1985 18:37  Swiss Time