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From: pez@pyuxn.UUCP (Paul Zimmerman)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: Reply to Jon Gallagher
Message-ID: <343@pyuxn.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Sep-85 09:14:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: pyuxn.343
Posted: Wed Sep 11 09:14:37 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Sep-85 08:23:55 EDT
References: <317@drutx.UUCP> <320@pyuxn.UUCP> <222@ptsfb.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway, N.J.
Lines: 64

Keywords: Evil, free will
Summary: Free will negates evil God argument

Jon,

	Why do you say ``uh oh?'' You speak of ``our two Gods,'' but let me
assure you they are one and the same. I'm not sure what your point is. You
accurately describe God's evil actions regarding Lot's wife, Sodom and
Gomorrah, the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, and the slaughter of the native
Caananites. But then you go off on an obscure tangent. You ask about soothing
voices from within us, our civilized behavior, and charity, and you assume
all this comes from God? Jon, all this is what is within us naturally as
human beings! Certainly none of us needs to be attributed to what we know
to be a hideous Damager-God. You say that ``if [I] posit such a creature
[as the Damager-God] then it is responsible for our existence.''  How can
you claim this? Yes, Jon, perhaps God does not destroy us simply to assure
a continual supply of victims. Why do you discard that idea as impossible?
It is extremely likely. You ask ``when has evil maintained such a prolonged
burst of energy.'' The very simple answer: since God came into existence.
Is that so difficult to fathom?

	The things you claim are not ``actual precepts of the New Testament''
or ``perversions of what Jesus said'' (including anti-semitism, holy war,
intolerance) are certainly what the real will and desire of God really is.
God wants to see His ``word'' spread in order to promote hatred and violence
and death, things God loves. Remember what the Bible says about whose realm
the Earth would be in the millenium after the death of Jesus. Satan. (Really
an alias of God's that He uses when being visibly evil.) And what religion
has had virtual control of the Earth (through conquest, crusade, and
colonialism) during that time? Christianity. Isn't it clear that the
Christian religion as taught by God is the tool of evil? The ``joy'' or
``good'' you speak of is an illusion foisted upon us by God. A perfect
example is ``Suffering for God is a good pleasurable thing.''

	You talk about your own ``arguments with Christianity.'' You mention
disagreements with people like Falwell, and your ``problems'' with the
Catholic Church, past and present. Can't you see that God is purposely
ENCOURAGING these divisions, writing a Bible designed to be misinterpreted
in numerous ways, specifically to foster divisiveness and hatred among
Christian groups. It is sad that in you He seems to have succeeded. I'm
sorry that these conclusions are hard for you to take. I hope you take the
time to give them the consideration they deserve.

	If evil to you is ``not having the opportunity to exercise [your]
free will,'' then you have found the source of evil in God. God squelches
and interferes with what little freedom you have, and at the same time creates
the illusion of free will which fosters guilt for the evil or self-damaging
actions that God makes you do. It is a pity that, in your own words, you
cannot view God in any other way than good. Because it you could, your life
would be the richer for it. You say you have proven God's goodness logically,
but when you work from axioms that associate God with things you feel are
good, your logic is flawed.

	You compare God with what you describe as a good parent. It would
seem, however, that God is much more accurately depicted as an abusive
parent, and God whorshipers as abused children who still cling to their
hopes and wishes that our parent is good and loving despite the abuse.
Yes, Jon, you have given me an insight into your faith. I hope I have been
able to show where it is unfounded.

Be well,
-- 
Paul Zimmerman - AT&T Bell Laboratories
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