Old Testament G-d: not a whole lot of "smiting" going on....

[QuettaKid]

watching the BBC coverage of the evacuations taking place in Gaza, I am left to wonder how come all of those religious folks prayers seem to be going unanswered. Thunderbolts? Locusts? Ground opening up to swallow the army? Not seeing any of it.... It boggles the mind to watch inhabitants of the 21st century thinking like this.

[bryant69]

1. I'm not sure what you are saying

Are you saying that it's strange that people in the 21st century take the bible seriously? Or strange that God isn't smiting people left and right for wickedness?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[craychek]

2. Are you sure?

If I remember correctly God smited people all the time in the old testament... *confused*

[QuettaKid]

3. I'm saying

the religious settlers are praying for a miracle to let them stay because "g-d promised them that land" and yet there they go getting carted away by the soldiers.....prayers, unanswered.

[craychek]

10. well poor them

I also have a thought on God's miricles during this scientific age as well. As time goes on at we become more advanced God has to, inevitably, work in more and more low key ways. I mean if he pulled something really big now, say, pillar of fire from the sky to protect the people from getting pushed out of gaza then every body with access TV, radio or access to a person who has one will know inside of an hour that God does exist and there goes faith. Instead of having faith people will KNOW that god exists, which is something he doesn't want. Back in the old testament times when God did some of his really big miracles/smiting only a couple thousand AT MOST in a certain area would witness it. It was then up to them to pass that info along and to influence others to have faith.

Remember, faith is one of the main things that is required for salavation under most circumstances according to the Bible and the Church. Weather you believe that or not is entirely up to you.

Anyways enough rambling for me =P

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[htuttle]

5. Uncle Leo, is that you?

[Stuckinthebush]

6. Confused...

What was anti-semitic?

It sounded more anti-irrational belief to me. If so, it wouldn't be limited to those of the Jewish faith.

[Lindacooks]

7. That's not being anti-semitic,

that's simply questioning how these fervently religious people can believe that their God is going to save them when their prayers are obviously going unanswered, or at least being answered with a big "NO".

[Squatch]

9. Nothing like kicking them when they're down, eh?

"So, where's your God now, Jews?"

That's the question being asked in the OP.

[Lindacooks]

17. What on earth are you talking about?

And why are you so sensitive about this? The original point is that people continue to keep their heads in the sand and believe that God will save them while they do NOTHING to help themselves or educate themselves about their position in the world. Sheesh.

[Squatch]

18. That was NOT the original point. The original point was

patently anti-semitic, and did not address ANY social issues in that area.

[Syncronaut Seven]

14. If we're going to bandy the term around let's spell it right,

I believe anti-semetic was the word you meant.

[Squatch]

16. Yes, let's do that...ROFL

Dictionary entry

I believe anti-semetic was the word you meant.

From the dictionary:

an·ti-Sem·ite (nt-smt, nt-)
n.
One who discriminates against or who is hostile toward or prejudiced against Jews.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
anti-Se·mitic (-s-mtk) adj.

:rofl:

[jokerman93]

8. Why are you surprised?

Take away the gadgets and technology and humans aren't much different than we were back in the Bronze Age.

[Siena]

11. I just read an article in the Economist about this.

They rationalize it by saying that God works in mysterious ways. Therefore, if their land is saved or is lost, it is God's will and they will follow. They think that God will eventually get the land for them but may need them to leave temporarily.

[On the Road]

12. This is Why I am Not a Religious Person --

What they're expecting is exactly what their faith should lead them to expect. They're just being consistent.

What I find it more difficult to believe is the way many people claim to believe in the Bible, whether Jewish or Chrisitan, but don't seem to know what's in it and believe it's about love and understanding.

If God gave the Jews the land of Gaza, he should be stepping in with a miracle right about now.

[Bellamia]

15. Ever hear Fr. Leo Booth???

"God doesn't do anything; you're it." My sentiments exactly, guess that's why I am "spiritual" or try to be, but NOT Religious.

[Syncronaut Seven]

13. What breaks my heart is the screaming crying jewish mothers

Begging for compassion, Hmmm... Lets examine the record here. That crap held water in 1945, but it's stretchining a little thin today, considering.

[Coastie for Truth]

26. Genesis XXXVIII 7-10

That kind of recreational activity, whether real or virtual, physical or mental, is proscribed by Genesis XXXVIII 7-10.

[tucoramirez2005]

29. In 1948, it was Palestinian women crying

and they had nothing to do with 1945.

[Modem Butterfly]

19. The Age of Miracles ended when The Age of Science began

NGU

[QuettaKid]

20. not anti-semitic at all...

anti-religious and anti- rational thinking, YES.

[Squatch]

21. I'm sure you intended to respond to me...

anti-religious and anti-rational thinking, YES.

And, in this case, the religion is Judaism.

Anti-Judaism = anit-semitism, by definition.

QED

"Anti-rational thinking", indeed. :rofl:

[QuettaKid]

22. love your sig. line...

where is that from? is it a real quote?

[Squatch]

23. The Daily Show...It's an anagram of "Mission Accomplished"

[PurityOfEssence]

24. Religion explained: "ooga-booga-booga" and "this one goes to eleven"

The fear of uncertainty, morality and not being "special" fuels the fixation for certainty. Living in a world where there isn't some ultimate design and meaning is just too terrifying for many, and they'll endure all sorts of abuse for that comforting feeling of safety and purpose.

People still believe in Astrology. People--many of them--believe in the simplistic big daddy concept with such vehemence that they'll destroy anyone who questions it effectively. Denying themselves earthly joy for the cosmic pat on the head, they get knotted up with frustration and jealousy at those who allow themselves some fun. When pressed about inconsistencies in their belief system, they get dangerous.

No, not all people who swear by these cosmic guesses are bad, but the more literal, fundamentalist and vehement the individual, the more dangerous and anti-pluralist the person is.

One of the first steps to being a decent member of the human race is recognizing one's vast ignorance; people of faith fail that test of basic decency in direct proportion to their certainty. Spirituality is one thing, but organized religion is the danger; these are political organizations that mostly act to solidify their hold on power and dominate or destroy competing guesses.

At the heart of liberalism is the recognition that everything's complex and needs to be addressed as the imprecise reality that it is. At the heart of conservatism is intolerance of any other mindset and the need for extreme clarity and simplicity. This is why organized religions are the province of the right and looser spiritual groups (Unitarians being a good example) are the home of lefties.

People really believe in the rapture. People believe in the afterlife with such certainty that they'll blow themselves up to suck up to the Witchy Man. To me, it's terrifying. Something inside of me can't quite believe it, yet it's undeniable.

With the increasing complexity of modern life and the decrease in resources, coupled with uncontrollable population growth, people will seek certainty more and more. As we get more modern, our dominant religions will get more primitive, and this does not bode well for us.

We've got some rough times ahead.

[noonwitch]

25. I don't support separate states for Israel and Palestine

I agree with the conservative argument that it would create another enemy state on the border of Israel.
What I do support is a cutoff of all US/UN aid to both sides until they stop killing each other.

It was probably not a good idea to establish Israel in the 40s, but now we are stuck with that. The Israelis have dug in and made a nation out of a desert.

Isaiah 60 promises prosperity to all who live in Israel who live righteously. It doesn't say only jews, it discusses gentiles, too.

"Arise, shine, for thy light is come
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee".

[tucoramirez2005]

28. We are not stuck with anything

Ask the Rhodesians, Quebecois, Ottomans, etc.

Everything changes.

[tucoramirez2005]

27. Both sides have an Old Testament God

What do you expect?