Is believing in God avoiding responsibility?

Originally posted by chithappens
The only reason I don't see this is valid is because everyone does not go through the same situations.

* Side note: I still wonder why people think we go through hardships in life as a test to see if we can become angels in heaven (so weird; where does that myth come from?)

It would be one thing if "lost sheep" were all going through similar situations and so someone with shitty parents can not be put on the same scale as someone with a decent household. But the shitty parents might be rich and the good parents poor. Too many variables.

So my point is to say that I think is irrational to believe that everyone can learn about God and how to live in a way that serves God; therefore, holding God accountable seems silly (but then not since God is omnipotent in this situation and can do anything but I'm leaving that out for now).

Conversely, many people would argue that some don't have that chance and sometimes they don't have a place accepting of God and so on. Then the counter to this is that they probably just did not "accept the signs."

I would think God feels some sort of responsibility to humans because he gave them the ability to choose. Now when taking entire civilizations into account, the choices an individual makes are lessened because they will fit into the particular way of thought they are surrounded with more often than not.

There are a variety of scenarios I could name where "fairness" would be questioned.

I do feel as if I'm beginning to drift towards becoming offensive so I'll stop there.

Originally posted by chithappens
There are a variety of scenarios I could name where "fairness" would be questioned.

I do feel as if I'm beginning to drift towards becoming offensive so I'll stop there.

Believing in what god? There are so many.

You can cling to one for strengh, or one for mercy.............you can cling for one for happiness and so what...OR you can believe in ONE for it all..If things don't go right, then you didn't give the right thing...In Christian faith it was "faith," if it was an ancient faith then it was not the right offerings..............So bad luck occured.

Simpletons, we are to believe an emotion as faith would be a cure all. Simpletons are we to believe an alter would be a cure all. Are we little children to believe the stories of what others in the past thought as true?

Believing in God is not a bad thing depending on what you call God. But then you are living in some fantacy world....God, if you like to call it that ..does not punish, does not judge........it is a character in a book...Mans simple ways are to... to try to explain the Universal Laws.

My 2 cents.

I'm surprised nobody has made that very clear until now.

Originally posted by Quark_666
T It all balances out in the afterlife...God is eventually merciful.

Wow, it's been a while - I actually forgot about this thread 🙄

Anyway - here is something that made me laugh about this whole "God is merciful and fair" business:

Why Can't I Own a Canadian?
October 2002

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Jim

http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2002/WhyCantIOwnACanadian_10-02.html

Avoiding ones responsibilities is something that can be caused by anything that can consume a persons attention and religion is a major culprit. Many people use religion as a way to avoid handling things realistically. They'll twist their various gospels to their own likes and dislikes and then cling to their customized version of what they consider gospel. Sad but true. 😮‍💨

Actly it gives one person alot of Responsibility by praying and going to church and celebrating Religish hoildays.

Originally posted by ADarksideJedi
Actly it gives one person alot of Responsibility by praying and going to church and celebrating Religish hoildays.

Originally posted by King Kandy
How is it responsibility to do those things?

Originally posted by King Kandy
How is it responsibility to do those things?

Because it is unresponable not too when you know you should. 🙂

Originally posted by ADarksideJedi
Because it is unresponable not too when you know you should. 🙂

Wow, circular logic much?

Originally posted by ADarksideJedi
Actly it gives one person alot of Responsibility by praying and going to church and celebrating Religish hoildays.

That's...also not the type of responsibility the thread is discussing. Simply having things to do is one type of responsibility, sure. But not the type discussed in the OP and subsequent discussion. Beyond your circular logic (outlined above) you're either missing the point or avoiding it deliberately.

I'd vote the former.

I feel that I am not missing the point but I see what you are saying.But it is true that believing in God is not advoiding Responsibility

Originally posted by Dreampanther
T... Are we avoiding responsibility by placing our faith in a Higher Power? Be it Buddha, Jesus, Allah or Jah, The Great Turtle or The Source, should we not rather accept responsibility for our actions here on Earth, instead of praying to some deity to come and save us?...

We should absolutely take responsibility. However, this is not the fault of religion or the belief in a god or as you say “Great Turtle” (ha ha ha). This is a fault of humans. We don’t want to take responsibility for the things we create. This leaves us powerless to change. In Buddhism, we are taught to take responsibility for all things in our lives, even if it doesn’t seem to be our fault. We need to clean our house (the world), and everyone needs to take responsibility for this even if it seems to not be their fault.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
We should absolutely take responsibility. However, this is not the fault of religion or the belief in a god or as you say “Great Turtle” (ha ha ha). This is a fault of humans. We don’t want to take responsibility for the things we create. This leaves us powerless to change. In Buddhism, we are taught to take responsibility for all things in our lives, even if it doesn’t seem to be our fault. We need to clean our house (the world), and everyone needs to take responsibility for this even if it seems to not be their fault.

Shayu what's up! 💃

Here's Exhibit A for this thread's avoidance of responsibility as a result of belief in God:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Steve-Johnson-blames-God-for-his-overtime-drop?urn=nfl-289770

From the brief article: It must be nice to live a consequence-free environment where all errors can be blamed on a supreme being.

....

And yes, before anyone points it out, I realize this isn't supposed to be how people treat their relationship with God, nor their personal responsibility. I also realize football players aren't a great source of religious dogma or insightful wisdom. But, and here's the point, it is how some people end up treating it. This sh*t happens as a result of religion, and a comical drop in an overtime football game is just the tip of an unfortunate iceberg for theism and how people use it for absurd justifications.

Originally posted by Mark Question
Wishful thinking. Just like wishing for an afterlife, it's a devaluing of this life.

I disagree: cherishing this life as "precious" and it "having repercussions lasting throughout the eternities" would actually make this life the most important portion of our existence.

Personally, I see God as a person that does very very little in his "childrens' lives." In fact, almost every last thing we do is of our own accord. Sure, God built the playground, but we pretty much made our own rules with God only giving us suggestions on how to play nicely.

Originally posted by Dreampanther
While I consider myself spiritual, I am not very religious. The other day I watched An Inconvenient Truth and I started wondering: Are we avoiding responsibility by placing our faith in a Higher Power? Be it Buddha, Jesus, Allah or Jah, The Great Turtle or The Source, should we not rather accept responsibility for our actions here on Earth, instead of praying to some deity to come and save us?

This is not how Abrahamic Belief functions. Your salvation depends 100% on what YOU choose to do in your lifetime. You will be saved if you believe in God, avoid evil and life righteously. That is HOW you accept responsibility for your actions.