Why Do Bad Things Happen?

[goodlife]

A atheist raised the following problem: “To some extent there is order, wonder and beauty in nature. But this is only one half of the picture. The other half is terrible chaos.” Then, after explaining what he means by “chaos”—such things as natural disasters, pestilences and the like—he goes on to say: “A religious person gazes lovingly at the order in nature that strengthens his religion, but looks away from the chaos that weakens such creed.

[Khandro]

I suppose one has to ask, "bad for whom?", - 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good', is said to show that even a very bad situation must have some good results, it all depends on your point of view, or according to Buddhist teaching; 'everything begins with mind'.

[Hypognosis]

Assuming goodlife does not wish to attribute the creation of -any- life forms to the devil (as that would elevate them to the status of deity, surely?) who is responsible for

Malaria?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistosomiasis ?
Elephantiasis?
that eye-worm parasite which David Attenborough keeps reminding us about?

What does God have against Africans Asians and South Americans (the areas where these diseases are most prevalent)?

Why do those regular churchgoers in the bible belt keep having their houses smashed by tornadoes? Does s/he hate Americans as well?

I can't find the recording on youtube but here's the next best thing

http://www.metrolyrics.com/all-things-dull-and-ugly-lyrics-monty-python.html

[mibn2cweus]

Bad things happen most often to those who thought they would most likely happen to someone else.

[goodlife]

True, But some people do many bad things. They hate other people and deliberately do things to hurt them. Do you think a person like that could ever change and learn to be good?

[sandyRoe]

People can be contrite and resolve to do better.

[naomi24]

Goodlife, //They hate other people and deliberately do things to hurt them. Do you think a person like that could ever change and learn to be good?//

That sounds like your God who’s going to slaughter anyone who isn’t a Jehovah’s Witness. Do you think he could ever change and learn to be good?

[goodlife]

Poor you naomi,shame you don't know Bible.

[naomi24]

Goodlife, why don't you answer my question?

[Hypognosis]

I didn't get an answer either.

Is god a serial murderer and property vandal or does evolution naturally lead to species which suck the life out of other life forms?

[Khandro]

//Why do those regular churchgoers in the bible belt keep having their houses smashed by tornadoes?//
A friend living in Florida and her daughter took shelter from an oncoming Hurricane in their cellar. When they re-emerged the house was completely gone! "One of the best things that ever happened" she said, the insurance company paid out handsomely "We made out like bandits!" she bought a much better house. It's an ill wind .....

[beso]

goodlife //True, But some people do many bad things. They hate other people and deliberately do things to hurt them. Do you think a person like that could ever change and learn to be good?//

Given God's history of hatred, hurting and killing people including innocents as reported in the Bible it would seem extremely unlikely that He could ever change to become good.

Abraham's god is a monster. When the world is free of it we may at last have some chance of peace.

[beso]

I do get tried of goodlife referring to those who engage in debate as "poor".

Moreover, it does not constitute a valid argument because it in no way addresses the issues raised.

But do continue, goodlife. Your idiotic postings perfectly demonstrate why religion is a fool's paradise. You have done more to destroy the credibility of your faith than any atheist could hope to acomplish.

[goodlife]

//atheist could hope to accomplish//
.
Well,from looking at atheist have you not seen years of human history indicated that man has been successful in governing his affairs by himself, apart from God? Has man provided good government for the blessing and happiness of all? Or does the record of history indicate that man needs God’s guidance, as Jeremiah said he does?

23 I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. —Jer. 10:23. and you wouldn’t say your a poor lot, you got nothing to offer.

[BlueToffee]

I suspect that had I not been brainwashed by nuns and monks into Catholicism in my formative years, I too might be an atheist. I can't however totally disregard some form of greater being, but find it hard to believe in one either. I therefore class myself as a Born Again Agnostic.

Furthermore, I have no problem with anyone believing or following a deity they find comfort with, I just wish they would keep their beliefs to themselves and not bother me with their form of religion.

[idiosyncrasy]

I have to admit that I cannot understand the mentality of a lot of posts on here.

Some ask such stupid questions. For example:-
//What does God have against Africans Asians and South Americans (the areas where these diseases are most prevalent)?//

The scriptures tell us quite clearly that God "gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."

So if that is the case why would he have anything against these particular nations in order to punish them?

//Do you think he could ever change and learn to be good?//

God is good and nothing evil can be attributed to him. The one who causes the bad things to happen is The Devil. He is the God of this world. Why does he cause bad things? Because he does not want anyone to serve God. And he has succeeded in the case of the majority of people on earth.
He is like a suicide bomber, when he goes down he wants to take as many as possible with him.

//Abraham's god is a monster.//
Were you in an Islamic country you could be put to death for such blasphemy!

If God were a monster, why does he continually tell us through his word the Bible of what is going to happen? Why did he allow his son to die such a death?

Beso//Your idiotic postings perfectly demonstrate why religion is a fool's paradise. You have done more to destroy the credibility of your faith than any atheist could hope to acomplish. //
I don't agree with you on this. I have a strong faith and the more I read the comments to some of his posts, I too find myself feeling sorry for the likes of you and other atheists. You really have no idea of the position you are placing yourselves in at the end of the day.

[naomi24]

idiosyncrasy, //God is good and nothing evil can be attributed to him. The one who causes the bad things to happen is The Devil.//

If your God existed, and if he were good, he'd zap the Devil - problem solved.

[Hypognosis]

//Some ask such stupid questions. //

Heyyyy, thank you! Really motivates me to.. you know.. engage in debate with you. Good Christian that s/he is, goodlife also refers to the like of me as 'poor', when he's not, likewise, calling us stupid.

Rilly, rilly, grate sales technique. And I mean grate, as in chalk down the blackboard, not fireplace component.

//For example:-
//What does God have against Africans Asians and South Americans (the areas where these diseases are most prevalent)?//

The scriptures tell us quite clearly that God "gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." //

Entirely missing my point which was that large areas of the planet, away from the tropics are free of {some of} these diseases.

So, why the differential treatment? An unjust deity or is it all down to entirely natural driving forces, such as evolution?

I still await an answer which should be one of those two options.

[naomi24]

Idiosyncrasy - “//Abraham's god is a monster.////Were you in an Islamic country you could be put to death for such blasphemy!” ////

Indeed you could - but do you think that's acceptable?