05 July 2012

Did god do it or someone else?

I often hear people say "god truly blessed you" or "the path was set by god" or similar to that.  Meaning that it was great god did good for you in one way or another.
Rarely do you hear "god fucked up on that one!!"

I see him mentioned on blogs and in blog comments all the time when something good has happened yet his name seems to almost disappear if things aren't so hot!!

You do hear occasionally that "he has set a hard task/path" or "he must have great things in store as I am doing it tough right now" but  not quite as often.

For me, as a believer in 'something higher' but not necessarily the above portrayed 'christian god' well, I like to think we all have free will.  I mean, did this god mean for Hitler to persecute all those human beings?  Was it god's blessing for  Hitler or just a 'hard path for the Jews'?

Does it mean that god chose for people to be gay as their 'hard task' or did they get the blessed life and the persecutors of gays have the hard path?  hmmmmm
I am not saying that gays 'choose' to be gay either but persecutors seem to hide behind god by saying he wouldn't like it.

It seems to me that those who believe in god setting the pathways like to move the goal posts an awful lot.

But me, well I am thankful I have free will

Are you a believer?  Do you believe in free will or did god pick your life out for you??


13 comments:

Rhianna said...

I am a bit of both. Seems to be the only way I can make sense of it all. I am thankful I read this, such interesting food for thought.

Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

Kate said...

I'm a higher power believer too. I call it God, the universe, many names really. But I believe we create our own destinies as well. Fate (or God) certainly has a hand in it, but our own attitudes are the driving force. xox

Kebeni said...

yes Jess and Robyn, I think free will is the winner here too

Kebeni said...

you see Trish that is where I can't get my head around that 'god' would set this path for you.

Kebeni said...

I agree Michael and thank you for taking the time to comment :)

Kebeni said...

yes yes yes. Although I am not too sure I am recovered but I boarded with the nuns and you didn't!

Jane Douglas said...

I think lots of people find comfort in believing in some kind of higher power or deity. From personal experience, I have to say that there is comfort to be derived when things are particularly tough, as in the death of a loved one.
That being said, I think that if there is a god, then he loved us so much that he allows us to make our own choices. And make our own mistakes. And learn from the consequences. And I think he lets us learn from those consequences here, on earth. I don't necessarily believe that there is punishment waiting for some after death.
And, if there is this god, then he created all of us. And he gave us freedom to have different beliefs. Because he can take many forms. So I can't get behind fundos who preach against particular cultural and religious groups. That's against what I reckon a loving and tolerant god would want.
And I don't think this god would really care about who we sleep with. He probably doesn't care too much for sluttish behaviour (but then, neither did my mother). I reckon he is just fine about gay people. In fact, I imagine that this god is pretty cool with whatever we do, as long as we are kind to each other and respect ourselves. Which is what some bloke, who may or may not have been related to this god, is reputed to have said about two thousand years ago.
There. Spoken like a true recovering Catholic. :)
Oh and I should point out that even though I have referred to a god type deity with the masculine pro noun, I'm equally fine with the concept of this deity being a woman. Or, who knows, maybe both? Or neither.

Jane Douglas said...

I think lots of people find comfort in believing in some kind of higher power or deity. From personal experience, I have to say that there is comfort to be derived when things are particularly tough, as in the death of a loved one.
That being said, I think that if there is a god, then he loved us so much that he allows us to make our own choices. And make our own mistakes. And learn from the consequences. And I think he lets us learn from those consequences here, on earth. I don't necessarily believe that there is punishment waiting for some after death.
And, if there is this god, then he created all of us. And he gave us freedom to have different beliefs. Because he can take many forms. So I can't get behind fundos who preach against particular cultural and religious groups. That's against what I reckon a loving and tolerant god would want.
And I don't think this god would really care about who we sleep with. He probably doesn't care too much for sluttish behaviour (but then, neither did my mother). I reckon he is just fine about gay people. In fact, I imagine that this god is pretty cool with whatever we do, as long as we are kind to each other and respect ourselves. Which is what some bloke, who may or may not have been related to this god, is reputed to have said about two thousand years ago.
There. Spoken like a true recovering Catholic. :)
Oh and I should point out that even though I have referred to a god type deity with the masculine pro noun, I'm equally fine with the concept of this deity being a woman. Or, who knows, maybe both? Or neither.

Jane Douglas said...

I think lots of people find comfort in believing in some kind of higher power or deity. From personal experience, I have to say that there is comfort to be derived when things are particularly tough, as in the death of a loved one.
That being said, I think that if there is a god, then he loved us so much that he allows us to make our own choices. And make our own mistakes. And learn from the consequences. And I think he lets us learn from those consequences here, on earth. I don't necessarily believe that there is punishment waiting for some after death.
And, if there is this god, then he created all of us. And he gave us freedom to have different beliefs. Because he can take many forms. So I can't get behind fundos who preach against particular cultural and religious groups. That's against what I reckon a loving and tolerant god would want.
And I don't think this god would really care about who we sleep with. He probably doesn't care too much for sluttish behaviour (but then, neither did my mother). I reckon he is just fine about gay people. In fact, I imagine that this god is pretty cool with whatever we do, as long as we are kind to each other and respect ourselves. Which is what some bloke, who may or may not have been related to this god, is reputed to have said about two thousand years ago.
There. Spoken like a true recovering Catholic. :)
Oh and I should point out that even though I have referred to a god type deity with the masculine pro noun, I'm equally fine with the concept of this deity being a woman. Or, who knows, maybe both? Or neither.

Michael said...

It wasn't God that made the bad things in the world, it was always US and our FREE WILL :)


He is not responsible for wars, dictators (need to remind you that people elected Hitler, by free will and democratic vote!), diseases and other things that people are blaming him for... In the history of mankind people always had to blame someone... jews, aliens, masonry, teachers, media, parents, and why not God, but we always failed to see our imperfection, weaknesses and evil deeds. It is not "god" that puts gays to misery, it is US... :))



People from all the different Christian denomination they do not speak FOR GOD, they are all struggling to get closer to the truth and try to live in it - that is Christianity. All the phrases that you mention they don't belong to God, but to the people that believe in Him... So again, don't blame Him but the people and their free will.



all the best!

Trish said...

It is a tricky question I am a Christian too and I wonder what was God thinking setting me on this current path (and others equally as hard in the past). Other days I think ok, one day I'll get answers to the question and accept the bumpy journey ahead with grace.
I honestly don't know ...

Robyn said...

I was going to write a comment, but mine would sound pretty similar to Jess's! I believe as she does.

Jess Newman said...

I'm a Christian and I beleive firmly in free will. I think we can choose to do pretty much anything, and that God gave us that gift.
I also think certain things happen in life and that God allows those things to happen for whatever reason. I've learnt that you can't question everything; somethings you just accept and move on.