Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!alan
From: alan@allegra.UUCP (Alan S. Driscoll)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Saint DuBois, Sinner Kulawiec
Message-ID: <2822@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 1-Oct-84 11:46:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: allegra.2822
Posted: Mon Oct  1 11:46:42 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 3-Oct-84 05:56:05 EDT
References: <1227@pucc-h>, <1169@hou4b.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 31

> How would you feel if you were God, and you call two people to judgement:  One
> has spent his life making people happier, raising a family and teaching his
> children well, going out of his way to help others.  The second came in
> sniveling with complaints about the way you run things.  He has superb
> intelligence, and he has had every material need (need, not want) provided out
> of the love of others.  And all he can do is lambaste you for a couple of the
> things you asked him to do.  How would you be inclined to treat the second?
> I hope God is more merciful than I ...  [Mark Terribile]

Why attribute such banal, human emotions as spite and anger to God?
Aren't these your own shortcomings (i.e., your lack of "Christian
compassion and forgiveness") that you're focusing on?  If you see
God as Universal Parent, then answer this:  Would an ideal parent
ever punish a child out of anger?

Anyway, let's consider a more interesting example.  What about Joe
Bloe?  Joe is a kind, decent, loving person.  He cares about people,
and he tries to do what's right.  However, he isn't religious.  (If
you're particularly narrow-minded, you can imagine that Joe failed
to choose the "right" religion).  Now, how would you be inclined to
treat Joe?

Remember, we know that Joe is sincere in his ethics and his concern
for people.  After all, he doesn't believe in a judgemental god, so
he isn't just trying to save his own eternal butt.

-- 

	Alan S. Driscoll
	AT&T Bell Laboratories