From: jwest@wisc (Jeff West)
Subject: Re: Why must you act this way?
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Distribution: world,public
Date: 5 Jan 93 13:34:19 CST

muehlhau@en.ecn.purdue.edu (John Muehlhausen) writes:
: In article <1993Jan3.082328.11776@phyrql.Alt.ZA> lucio@proxima.Alt.ZA writes:
: 
: >>Lets clear something up - all things work together for good FOR THOSE WHO
: >>LOVE THE LORD.  If my daughter was in this circumstance, she would be in
: >>physical pain, but she would be secure in the knowledge of her eternal life
: >>through Christ, and though I would also be in much pain - probably more than
: >>her - God would use it to strengthen my character.  Who are we to argue with
: >>God?
: >Where was your god when a four-year old girl, who would hardly be able
: >to tell the difference, was suffering?  
: 
: Right by her side.  Death is a result of sin, and happens from time to time
: and for various reasons in our fallen world.  It has no detrimental significance
: for the children of God, however.  I look forward to meeting my Creator and
: knowing Him even as I am fully known by Him.  You may ask "Why doesn't God
: intervene and end the suffering of this girl?"  He will (and does) both
: miraculously and through modern medicine if it is His will for her to live.
: If it is His will to let a young girl die, then it is for the greater good of
: all those involved that love Him.  I don't see why you are mad at me - I
: didn't make it up, nor can I do a good job defending the One who calls the
: shots.  I suggest you seek Him for your answers.  Read James 1.
: 
: John M.

John I usually don't believe in 'preaching' my beliefs but since you keep sending
this garb to alt.atheism I've finally deceided to spend my 2 cents worth.

I have no doubt you truly believe what you send here, BUT what if, just what if
your wrong?  I'm not trying to convert you and Satan isn't sitting at my side
(I always imagine him like Joe Pesci in Leathal Weapon 8-)) but have you ever
thought of the ramifications to your life, yours childrens lifes and the other
people you have influence on and what your doing to them if your wrong?  If you
spend all your life waiting for the day you can go to heaven and it turns out
not to be true or you spend a significant amount of time and emotional energy
on a god that just isn't there haven't you decreased the amount of fullness that
you could have gotten from this one lifetime that for whatever reason you were
given?

One quick story and then I'm done.  My greatgrandmother died at 98 years old 2
winters ago.  She was the most giving and humble person I've ever met.  The
stories that are told about her helping people during the depression alone make me
proud that I'm related to her.  But she didn't believe in any 'organized religion'.
One day at the nursing home the Lutheran minister came to her and told her that he
could not believe that someone that was obviously such a generous person and so
well spoken of would take the chance of not believeing and hence missing out on
eternal life.  She looked him in the eye and said; "Won't you be surprised!"

Jeff West

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It's not denial.  I'm just very selective about the reality I accept.

    - Calvin & Hobbs

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