I was actually wondering what you think of the fact that somebody in the Old Testament who gathered sticks on the Sabbath day had to be stoned. I am not a machine so my opinion will be a fair one: I think he should get another chance of rehabilitation or in the worst case been removed from Israel but certainly not killed. I can t help wondering sometimes whether God is truly righteous in general or only righteous for the ones that he chooses in order to glorify himself. After all, we were created for his glory, says the bible. I hope God isn t angry with me because of my thoughts. I cannot help it, otherwise he should make machines and not humans with a capacity to choose. Hope u guys can give me a little help on this matter.

Truth ... you always have such good questions.

I think God knows our heart. And I trust His judgment.

It is not the act of breaking the Sabbath that is the issue here ... or we would all die.

This was an example. And that is all. We do not know what was in the heart of this person. But I suspect it was rebellion and SELF ... a rejection of God. That is what God is opposed to.

I trust my God though and do not spend much time thinking about this example.

This was a law but if you read you will not find that much of that took place. A lot of the laws given to the Children of Israel (CoI) when God had just called them to be His people. God had a plan and they agreed and said all that you say we will do. He delivered them and they entered into a covenant with Him.

When the new covanent was initiated two people dropped dead for a simple lie. The point is this, at the begining of something that God does He makes all aware that He is serious and will not play around. Not that He's waiting to come down on us but He must do as He said. The reason He made such laws is so He could have a distinct people to reveal to the world what He was like and to introduce the Savior of the world, to the world.

Also, if I tell someone not to go into a certain part of town or they will get shot and they go anyway, who's fault is that if they get shot? Not mine, but theirs. Like wise if God says don't do that or you'll die and you do it, who's fault is it if you die? Not God's but yours.

God told Adam and Eve not to eat of a certain tree or they'd die and they ate anyway and they did die spiritually and eventually physically. But praise God that He promised a way for them to be redeemed.

In the OT for some people certain offences were not forgiven. It doesn't seem to be a matter of who it is but what time these offences take place. Usually at the beginning of a ministry (bears killed children who mocked Elisha) or when God starts a movement. I am sure there are other times that God permits Satan to destroy some who have rejected Him to the point where they have damaged their ability to respond to Him and have become extremely vile. There are somethings I know nothing about, but I don't know that I can trust God because He died for me so that I can and whosoever will, be with Him for all eternity.

Ok thank you guys for the answers. Sorry for such questions but i still believe these are relevant questions that need an answer when you want to spread the gospel and you have to face the criticism of the atheists. I geuss i watched too much "God Delusion" from Dawkins on youtube. He calls God terrible things and refers to orders of God to kill even women and children. However if the context justifies the means, i geuss that it s God s policy that it is better that a few should die, than that all should perish or die. I think this is strange because I ve always thought that someway God would think of every individual at the same time. I geuss that I think too much in black and white. Anyway thanks for the answers.

Uh...why are you watching those video clips of "God Delusion" on You Tube? I'm not condemning you - Just curious.....the questions you are asking are the mantras of pagans and atheist alike when it comes to talking about the Christian God. They like to corner Christians and ask questions for which there are no answers, such as the classic: "If God can do anything (omnipotence), can He make a stone He cannot lift?"

Oh, and atheists shouldn't even be concerned about what God did or did not do in the OT or NT, since they - the atheists - don't believe God exists anyway. Kind of a moot topic, imho.

Don't let fear of an angry God smother your mind. God is love. IMHO the example of the sticks just goes to prove that God did not write nor inspire that rule. Moses, if you ask me is more likely to have been a witch than a 'man of God.' Stick with the New Testament, (but throw out 'Revelations.' ) You'll be closer to God going that route.

"why are you watching those video clips of "God Delusion" on You Tube?"

I don t want to be a cognitive dissonance reduction believer. That means that i am open to all sorts of points of view. I had to see what Dawkins said because of his fame. He is one of the most powerfull evolutionists/atheists in the field of science. He has lots of good points but unfortunately comes to the wrong conclusion. He equals Christianity with the Catholic churches and fallen protestant churches. I don t understand why people think he is so great because he lacks evidence and logical reason from an adventist point of view. But you guys are right that I should focus more on the Gospel and people like Walter Veith, Shawn Boonstra, Doug Batchelor etc..

There are many things I don't understand about God or His plans, but I know enough about Him now that I can trust Him enough to wait for the answers when I see Him. So the bottom line is: do I take Him at His word or not that:

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He"? DT 32:4

Even when I don't know all the answers?

Gerry

Christopher Hitchens has done a good job of laying down some questions that need to be addressed in regards to religion.

Sam Harris does not deny spiritual experience and is not as strident publicly, but has some powerful things to say from a slightly different approach.

You can see a summary of his presentations here

Sam Harris Video

I would invite you to consider his views as well.

I'm curious.

If there are high profile authors of atheism and many people claiming they are atheists; does that make atheism a religion?