Comments on: First Things First: Tsunami, Theodicy, and Recycling for Cyclones in Myanmar http://badidea.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/first-things-first-tsunami-theodicy-and-recycling-for-cyclones-in-burma/ Science, Skepticism, and Silly. Critics welcome. Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:05:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Bad http://badidea.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/first-things-first-tsunami-theodicy-and-recycling-for-cyclones-in-burma/#comment-3533 Bad Sat, 10 May 2008 02:32:24 +0000 http://badidea.wordpress.com/?p=333#comment-3533 <blockquote>To me, there is little difference between ‘God did it’ and ‘its all part of God’s plan’. Either way, suffering is, ultimately, layed at God’s feet</blockquote> Hart doesn't think so. I disagree with him and agree with you that the responsibility is unavoidable, but that's not at least, his position.

To me, there is little difference between ‘God did it’ and ‘its all part of God’s plan’. Either way, suffering is, ultimately, layed at God’s feet

Hart doesn’t think so. I disagree with him and agree with you that the responsibility is unavoidable, but that’s not at least, his position.

]]> By: (((Billy))) http://badidea.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/first-things-first-tsunami-theodicy-and-recycling-for-cyclones-in-burma/#comment-3532 (((Billy))) Sat, 10 May 2008 01:55:58 +0000 http://badidea.wordpress.com/?p=333#comment-3532 Bad: To me, there is little difference between 'God did it' and 'its all part of God's plan'. Either way, suffering is, ultimately, layed at God's feet. To me, though, these random occurences are just that -- random. As to the second part, I generalized and I apologize. I was extrapolating from the individuals I have known (about two out of three Christians that I have known (and I'm talking thumpers, here)) view those of different religions and/or ethnicities as pawns in God's chess game -- expendable as long as it helps God (their God) win. Again, I apologize for my expansion from personal acquaintances to a generality. Bad: To me, there is little difference between ‘God did it’ and ‘its all part of God’s plan’. Either way, suffering is, ultimately, layed at God’s feet. To me, though, these random occurences are just that — random.

As to the second part, I generalized and I apologize. I was extrapolating from the individuals I have known (about two out of three Christians that I have known (and I’m talking thumpers, here)) view those of different religions and/or ethnicities as pawns in God’s chess game — expendable as long as it helps God (their God) win. Again, I apologize for my expansion from personal acquaintances to a generality.

]]> By: Bad http://badidea.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/first-things-first-tsunami-theodicy-and-recycling-for-cyclones-in-burma/#comment-3520 Bad Thu, 08 May 2008 22:55:15 +0000 http://badidea.wordpress.com/?p=333#comment-3520 Hart is not saying that God did it though. In fact, as I give him a little credit for, he argues against the idea that it's all part of some grand devious plan that God has. The problem I have is him trying to reconcile a particular sort of God with the idea that this God is not responsible, and that the buck stops somewhere else. And I don't agree at all with your assessment of how "many" Christians see people of other races and religions. I don't think they see the suffering of others as different from the suffering of fellow believers, theologically. Hart is not saying that God did it though. In fact, as I give him a little credit for, he argues against the idea that it’s all part of some grand devious plan that God has. The problem I have is him trying to reconcile a particular sort of God with the idea that this God is not responsible, and that the buck stops somewhere else.

And I don’t agree at all with your assessment of how “many” Christians see people of other races and religions. I don’t think they see the suffering of others as different from the suffering of fellow believers, theologically.

]]> By: (((Billy))) http://badidea.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/first-things-first-tsunami-theodicy-and-recycling-for-cyclones-in-burma/#comment-3518 (((Billy))) Thu, 08 May 2008 21:09:23 +0000 http://badidea.wordpress.com/?p=333#comment-3518 No. You are not being too hard on Mr. Hart. The rationalization of random occurrences (some of which are bad, some of which are good) in order to force them to fit a predetermined idea (God did it) results in some mental gymnastics which would put the Flying Walendas to shame. To many Christians, (too many Christians) suffering is an evil if it is happening to one's nieghbor, one's fellow churchgoer, one's fellow believer. On the other hand, if the sufferer is a brown-skinned animist (or Buddhist, or (insert religion here)), then suffering is ultimately meaningless except that it may (or may not) draw the end of the world nigh. Good post. Thought provoking. Thanks. No. You are not being too hard on Mr. Hart. The rationalization of random occurrences (some of which are bad, some of which are good) in order to force them to fit a predetermined idea (God did it) results in some mental gymnastics which would put the Flying Walendas to shame. To many Christians, (too many Christians) suffering is an evil if it is happening to one’s nieghbor, one’s fellow churchgoer, one’s fellow believer. On the other hand, if the sufferer is a brown-skinned animist (or Buddhist, or (insert religion here)), then suffering is ultimately meaningless except that it may (or may not) draw the end of the world nigh.

Good post. Thought provoking. Thanks.

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