God's Plan

[andy-hughes]

Following on from the horrific news of a little boy killed by lightning -

I am genuinly intrigued to hread how any of our Christian contributors can begin to reconcile this tragedy with the notion that their 'loving' God, who clearly allowed it to happen, could let such a loss be felt by his parents and family.

What part of 'God's Plan' is working here?

[andy-hughes]

Still being rude, still not addressing the OP.

Who is giving whom a bad name?

[Mamyalynne]

I certainly can't answer your question as in all my time on this earth I haven't met anyone who has a vision of God sitting aloft and aiming lightning bolts or with a wave of a godly hand, stirring the tide into a tsunami.

It all sounds like a bad cartoonist's construct.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks mamya - I am not expecting, or even looking for a response from anyone except our fervent friends who are thus far responding to type - being offensive while avoiding answering a simple question.

[Mamyalynne]

I've never been told I'm not fervent enough, perhaps I should go to confession.

[naomi24]

AH, Since most Christians don’t really believe God has a specific plan for each and every one of us (free will and all that), posing your question to Muslims would enhance your education more. They believe that lives are pre-ordained and that tragic incidents such as the one you highlighted (given the timing pretty tasteless in my opinion) are God’s will and intended to ‘test’ the faith of the bereaved.

I trust that answers your question.

[andy-hughes]

It doesn't, and I don't need your opinion

[venator]

What about Other religions? Whose plan would kill that little boy in China or Iran?

[venator]

There should be a separate area for argumentative religious topics?

[andy-hughes]

All religious topics are argumentative!!

[Mamyalynne]

//I am genuinly intrigued to hread how any of our Christian contributors...//

No you aren't, you as good as told me I was not the right type of Christian.

This is simply to goad one or two that you had set your sights on.

[naomi24]

AH, it isn’t my opinion. It’s what it is.

//What part of 'God's Plan' is working here?//

That was your question to Christians and I answered it. No part. You’re not ‘genuinely intrigued’. You’re prodding for an answer that you can attack. I agree with Mamyalynne. You are mischief-making.

Incidentally, I read this morning that with this poor little boy’s donated organs, three other children’s lives have been saved. How brave his parents. What a terrible time for them.

[Khandro]

That is nice to hear naomi

[Peter Pedant]

// I am not expecting, or even looking for a response from anyone except our fervent friends //
sounds of goal posts moving

we have covered evil and free will ( incompatibility of)
and Andie's magisterial comment - 'No'

yes this does mean ( on a sunday - irony claxons blast ) that he has to read and think about what has gone before

[Peter Pedant]

// It doesn't, and I don't need your opinion//

er hasnt he just asked us for a refutation of:
"beautiful kiddie dies and therefore god doesnt exist"

which is kinda well opinion-y- well it kinda is to me!
There are times when arguments and discussions just advance too FAST for a fella such as myself

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - // AH, it isn’t my opinion. It’s what it is. //

When you post something that says, quote " ... in my opinion ..." I think that indicates that it is your opinion, so why you are now denying it, I have no idea - but I don't care anyway, so don't trouble yourself with a reply.

// It's what it is // means absolutely nothing whatsoever.

// That was your question to Christians and I answered it. //

But since you are not a Christian, it is not your response I am asking for, is it? //

// You’re not ‘genuinely intrigued’. //

Another statement based on something you cannot know - my motive for posting my question.

// You’re prodding for an answer that you can attack. //

Please see above.

// I agree with Mamyalynne. You are mischief-making. //

That makes both of you wrong then.

[andy-hughes]

Mamya - // No you aren't, you as good as told me I was not the right type of Christian. //

That is your interpretation of what i said, and it is not correct.

I am looking to our regular fervents for a response, on the basis that they constantly tell us where we are going wrong, and why they are right - however on this occasion they have retreated behind rudeness and silence.

[andy-hughes]

PP - // er hasnt he just asked us for a refutation of:
"beautiful kiddie dies and therefore god doesnt exist" //

Er, no he hasn't.

Why don't you read the posts before you write your largely incomprehsible responses?

[naomi24]

AH, I didn’t say my answer was my ‘opinion’. My opinion is that your question, clearly aimed at stirring up conflict here, and posted so soon after the tragic death pf this poor little boy, is in bad taste.

Now here’s an idea. When you escort your wife to church today, as you say you do every Sunday, you could put your question to the priest who you, professing to be an atheist, so willingly receive blessings from. He’ll know the answer.

[Theland]

In my experience, God does not save us from the moral and natural evils in this world, but in answer to prayer, He can allow what appears to be something in the natural order to actually answer a prayer. As I say, that has been my experience.
The lift!e boy killed by lightning may or may not be part of Gods plan. I simply don't know, but I do know that in the bigger picture, ultimately good will come of it, bit not immediately apparent, and certainly not to his loved ones.

[andy-hughes]

Theland - It's taken long enough, but finally something approaching an honest answer - for which, thanks.

// The lift!e boy killed by lightning may or may not be part of Gods plan. I simply don't know, but I do know that in the bigger picture, ultimately good will come of it, bit not immediately apparent, and certainly not to his loved ones. //

First of all, surely everything is part of 'God's Plan' - and if it's not, then how does anyone know what is and what is not included?

And secondly, if 'good will come of it' - and obviously we can acknowledge that it's not in any way going to be 'good' for anyone involved in this tragedy, except the recipieints of this pooor child's organs, then how are we ever to know what they 'good' is, and who received it?

To simply say that 'some good will come of it' without a reasonable pointer as to where and when this 'good' will be provided, it simply brings me back to my fundamental criticism - that the notion of 'God's Plan' is simply a catch-all wooly get-out for every bad thing that ever happens.

Contrary to the jibes of others, I am genuinely interested in how this works - if there is an explanation beyond simply advising that this is how it is, and we just have to live with it.