I believe people have flown planes into buildings with that very thought on their minds. I know for a fact that others have exterminated entire cultures with that idea in mind.
This post was edited by Don Barzini at September 26, 2019 4:02 PM MDT
You are exactly right. The key here is "with that thought on their minds" Unfortunately these people have not known God they are stuck in a rut within their mind. Separating themselves from The essence of their being they are only seeing the trappings of a confused Ego directing their Mind to these actions and thoughts. Thoughts do not open the door to Enlightenment. Thoughts do not reveal the deep truth within ourselves. ...and until one can step outside of the mind, and get beyond thought, beyond the ego, one will never ever walk with God, nor have a pure understanding of doing God's will. Cheers
It is clear your interpretation goes much deeper than such people as I describe ever bother to. Or are capable of. More evil and human suffering has been wrought “in the name of” this or that god than any other cause we could name. So much of it by people who don’t adequately understand what it is their Faith really teaches, only that they are fatally closed off to any thinking other than the version they’ve latched onto.
Having choices only assures that people will do what they have judged to be "good." Unfortunately, lack of knowledge and familiarity with the appropriate principles of what is generally agreed to be good for humanity in general allows people to fly planes into buildings and elect people like Trump as president.
From a theological perspective, theoretically a human is unable to do evil unless he is mistaking that evil for a good---but consequent ignorance is hardly a mitigating factor in his actions.
This post was edited by tom jackson at September 26, 2019 2:40 PM MDT
It still amazes me, Tom, that avowed people “of faith”, self-claiming “Good Christians“ can rationalize how they continue to support and excuse the antics and hubris of such a morally bankrupt, dishonest con man as Trump. Not a good look.
What’s the payoff? Why promote the lead of one so far off the path of “our faith”? Mere ignorance is losing its heft in this argument; we are bearing witness to the realm of willful denial or outright delusion.
This post was edited by Don Barzini at September 26, 2019 2:40 PM MDT
Religious adherence (or at least the appearance of it) was important to the mob, to preserve traditional connections to their families and communities. None of that applies to Trump. The only affiliations that matter to this would-be mob boss are fealty and praise; at any cost, despite whatever indignity.
Where is the moral outrage? Scratch that, we’re approaching my atheist Red Line. Lol
This post was edited by Don Barzini at September 26, 2019 3:59 PM MDT
It's interesting that in The Screwtape Letters, in dialogue between St Michael and Satan in the preface / prologue (somewhere) it is noted that God only managed to save 6 souls from the last world that He and Satan vied for.
If there is even a small glowing of a possible desire to come to know God, CS Lewis suggests that even that can be made the basis for a flame.
Which is not to say that God will do so immediately. The God that I think exists would see value in both theists and atheists and will approach each in His own time.
Whether I am right or wrong about the existence of God, in the meantime, both you and I must honor the conclusions that each of us have formulated with honesty about the nature of reality.
There remains part of me that hopes you are right, Tom. Eternal being is intriguing. That said, you well know I’m not one to build my worldview on hope. Regards. Thanks for your indulgence.
That GOOD WILL of GOD's DOES NOT include the GOOD WILL OF THE BASE. God thinks the BASE is out to lunch for life. You are in luck. God is all-forgiving.
Don Barzini 