Ok, first, troll #2 edges his way into a conversation challenging me to fight a spiritual battle without straight out quoting from the Bible, which is like being challenged to a knife fight and saying no blades, but ok. And he comes at me with 1st Peter? Wow. But ok
I've simply asked some questions. Name-calling with no substance to the insults used is childish. And I came to you with a basic lesson in manners quoted from the bible, which you obviously have failed to follow.
And to answer why does an omnipotent, loving God allow for the existence of an evil antagonist...the antagonist to which you are referring is actually a jealous fallen angel who once had his place in the Kingdom. From that jealousy, he thought that he could rise up and be as God (his creator). Therefore in answer to his jealous behavior God did indeed give him a place to rule and put him in his place. Therefore, he was not created as evil...again, consequences of his own choice in actions.
I did not ask for the story and you have completely hovered over the question. I will restate it and make is simpler to understand- How is it not malevolent for this god to create an evil entity that
he knew would screw with mankind considering his omniscience? Remember that you stated later in your post that you believe in predestination and believe your god is all-knowing.
And why is God bothered so much by the doubts of unbelievers? Because as stated over and over, He has laid His proof all around us and watched His one and only Son die for us and some still say "oh well".
Surely the rational thinkers would see basic proofs before the delusionals in the majority of situations, correct? It's very practical. I asked you for proof earlier, and you have not given any. Please provide proof w/o your biblical circular logic because it's a completely fallible foundation which has already been discussed. If you can't, then your argument has already crumbled.
:-/
And I will count it all joy to spend my eternity with not a God, but the God, who has separated His Church from those who have turned on Him.
Your haughty ignorance to other religions and their gods is absurd. Yours is just one in the crowd unless you can provide proof of your own. The "My god is real! The bible says so!" fallacy holds no weight since a Hindu could do the exact same thing. "My gods are real! The Vedas says so!".
He is absolutely not punishing people for making choices, He is rewarding His people for true and faithful service and honor to Him.
And choosing God over Hell is a simple choice. Did not say it did not involve a lot of hard work, but it's a simple choice.
"Worship me or suffer for eternity. The choice is yours."
"Give me your money or I'll shoot you. The choice is yours."
Both cases are very similar and both are illogical punishment and coercive tactics. And you
support this mob-boss tactic?
"Make him an offer he can't refuse!"And, yes, you are very right in the statement of predestination. Indeed, nothing we do can surprise God.
Well therefore you cannot exercise freewill or make choices. Saying otherwise is an obvious contradiction since you admit this entity knows your every move before you make it. It would seem that your god is a malevolent cheater who stacks the deck.
When I pray and say to Him "Lord, why did I do that?" He reveals later that whatever I did was a part of a greater plan and it all comes together for His glory.
"A delusion is a belief held with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary. Unlike hallucinations, delusions are always pathological (the result of an illness or illness process)."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion