₦airaland Forum

Is potable water "free" anywhere? It is a very expensive endeavor. Unless you have a private well, which is also a big expense initially, potable water can not be free. She is right. Who will pay for it?

I was recently involved in the, “What does Seun believe?” thread. I am NOT trying to resurrect it. The discussion has been on my mind since that time. Some said that they could not understand how God could allow Satan to tempt good people, and then condemn them to hell for succumbing to that temptation. There were also those who thought it was unfair that God allows bad things to happen to good people. I am not here to preach or to argue. I am not here to try to change anyone’s mind, or condemn any religion or belief. I would simply like to get the thoughts rolling around in my brain, out.

For anyone who feels that God is unfair, I offer this: The belief that God “allows” temptation, or that He allows bad things to happen is inaccurate. I believe, it is BECAUSE people are good that Satan concentrates on them. Satan does not bother with those who are wicked. They belong to him already. He has no reason to concern himself with them. He concentrates his efforts on those who are trying to do their best. He revels in chaos and confusion. It is not God, but Satan, who is responsible when bad things happen to good people. This is my opinion. I am not trying to step on anyone else’s beliefs.

In the previously mentioned thread I talked about “free agency.” My statement was this: One of Gods greatest gifts, aside from the Atonement, is “Free Agency.” We all have it. Unfortunately, we have no control over others, who may impose their agency on us. The influence of others in our lives and the lives of those we love is not God’s acquiescence (acceptance). It is simply His respect for the gift He has given us.

I say again, I did not bring this up because I want to reintroduce the “Seun” discussion. I simply wanted to get these things off my mind.

@ Seun: I regret not taking the opportunity to introduce myself to you and say, "Hello." My name is Gerri. That is pronounced (Jerry) like the man’s name. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance, if only in cyberspace. “Hello” How dey go dey go?

I wasn't aware anyone was arguing. This has been a very civil discussion. I am impressed. I have enjoyed the debate.

@ Seun, One of Gods greatest gifts, aside from the Atonement, is “Free Agency.” We all have it. Unfortunately, we have no control over others, who may impose their agency on us. The influence of others in our lives and the lives of those we love is not God’s acquiescence. It is simply his respect for the gift He has given us.

Science vs. God

Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.' The atheist Professor of Philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe in God?'

'Absolutely.'

'Is God good?'

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes.'

'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment. 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'

The student remains silent.


'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

'Let's start again, young fella Is God good?'

'Er...yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student : 'From...God...'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'

'Yes.'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues: 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'

The student: 'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who created them? There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'

'Yet you still believe in him?'

'Yes.'

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own. Professor, is there such thing as heat?'

'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness ?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.' 'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter.

' Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?' Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'


'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's in humanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir , or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down.

Damex333: No one else was worthy and ready to die for my salvation but Jesus Christ who was God's only begotten son was more than ready to did for me because he loves me more than any one can ever do. That why he said in his word in John 3:16 that 'FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD THAT HE HAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE

Just came across this. Aptly put.
Tex

Wow! What just happened here. I think this kid is playing with me. I have never seen a Nigerian movie. Are we talking about the same Spartacus movie?

why

ok, I am trying to do something. Can you hold on?

wait here...I type my answer and I come back and you have 5 more questions...I am behind here somehow

[quote author=St_Black]huhh,dont tell me there arent obsene parts in 007 movies if u tell me uv only seen action ones[/quote]I meant the Spartacus movie I saw was action

The one I have seen is action.

Is it the 1960 version or a more current one. The 1960 version is more appropriate. The newer versions are more explicit.

Damex333: Wow, i love dat. JESUS CHRIST S d only one dat have such love. He understands us more.

Yes He does...praise always to Him...thanks for commenting