Right - soooooo many questions, and to me, the answers are simple and - Religion & Philosophy Forum

bruises, and even some pain and misery are a natural part of the learning and growing process. When learning to walk, for instance, stumbles and falls are an inevitable, necessary part of it. They learn to get back up, dust themselves off, and keep going. The stumbling and falling teaches a valuable lesson. Years later, once they are more aware and responsible, they can walk on their own without falling while avoiding danger. Still, even though they are at a point of understanding consequenses and have been taught to be safe and responsible, they may not always behave accordingly. For instance, they may make a dumb decision, and try to cross a busy highway on foot. If I see them about to do this, as they step in front of a speeding car, I will yell, grab or tackle them, whatever it takes to stop them. Because I love them, and if they are killed, it's permanent, and there is no lesson learned. I don't stand by and watch, thinking to myself "oh well, they know better; it's their choice". Because of love, none of you would allow such a thing to happen, either.

Smiling Tiger®

Orange Immortal [67935]

TigerPulse: 100%

Posts: 50611

Joined: 2000

Right - soooooo many questions, and to me, the answers are simple and

Oct 26, 2025, 8:57 PM

obvious. Ancient people came up with explanations for how and why things were they way they were, just like we do today, and their explanations reflect their relative lack of scientific knowledge and life in ancient times. Why did bad things happen - fires, floods, disease, etc.? The Gods were angry. How do we please the Gods and get them on our side? We make sacrifices, and we come up with laws and behaviors that will please them. What are Gods like? Well, powerful men were great warriors who ruled by fear and the threat of violence, punishments and rewards, so that's the way they imagined God/Gods. Wars between nations or tribes were seen as wars between their Gods, and armies who had the strongest, or correct God would ultimately be victorious.

Some religions have not really progressed beyond that. The total commitment by subsequent generations to the beliefs of those ancient people did not allow, out of fear, for much evolution that reflected scientific advances and knowledge. They have, however, tweaked it, and tried to make God seem like less of a violent, vindictive warrior king, and more of a loving, forgiving God, but hundreds of thousands of years later, he's still at war with evil, promising total victory according to an eleborate plan, having created an existence which included every bit of it right from the start. Still totally commited to the concept of God created by ancient men. But for them it's not just an idea, or a concept developed by men, it's absolute fact - they KNOW it.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Above all else, love and forgive. Understand that people who disagree with you are not necessarily idiots or your enemies. Respect the wisdom of the founding fathers and individual rights and freedoms. Always see the beauty and humor in life.

I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

Re: I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

Re: I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

Great, very fair question.

Re: Great, very fair question.

Right - soooooo many questions, and to me, the answers are simple and

Re: I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

Re: I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

I think you responded in the wrong thread.***

Re: I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

Re: I, as a father who loves his children, understand that mistakes, bumps and

TigerBoard POTD