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I'm not entirely good at starting these debates, but I'm pretty able to participate.

Essentially, this is a discusssion of the 'Goodness' of God. Is God a benevolent being?

Personally, I don't think he is, but I'll get more into that when others start stating their opinions.

This debate has real potential, so lets keep the stupid responses out of it. A stupid response is essentially 'yes because it says so in the bible/torah/qu'ran'

Go.

I don't believe god is benevolent. There is far too much suffering in the world by people of all faiths and I believe (personally) that a benevolent being would look past faith and help those of any faith when they need it. That isn't happening, not as I observe it, anyways.

But god might work in a way we cannot understand. "God works in mysterious ways" yes?

If someone wants to become more tolerant, would god give them tolerance, or the opportunity to be tolerant? I think it goes both ways.

I'd say he isn't benevolent, but if he does exist, he does try to do the best he can, and if the people can't acknowledge that their prayer is being answered, that isn't his fault.

What about the personality of God being evil?

If you were take even the most fleeting glance at the old testament, you'd see my point...

God makes a coventant with the Israelites, no? He tells the Israelites they are his chosen people. Look at what God did in the name of the Israelites? The destruction, rape and torture of the Amelakites and the Moabites etc etc.

God, upon sending Moses to ask the Pharaoh to "Let my people go!" sent the plagues upon Pharaohs refusal. When the Pharaoh still refused he slaughtered every first born in Egypt. It was Pharaoh who said no, not the children. God is an infanticidal and evil.

And I mean, would God make a covenant with those who make such diabolically evil laws?

Deuteronomy 22:28-29

28If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

29Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

As one example.

To be fair, there can be equally silly and fallacious atheological arguments.

Also, maybe you should define "benevolence" for the purpose of this debate. what is considered "good" and "fair" and "benevolent" is very circumstantial.

You should also Clarify which "God" you are referring too, if any in particular.

Benevolent has a set definition and that is what I am sticking to.

Also, the Abrahamic God.

In English class, we learn about how myths and religious texts show off the values of a culture. I'm sure the part of the bible that explains how one should go about buying and selling slaves comes across as evil in today's society, but in the culture that the text was written in, perhaps not.

Not, i never went to say god was evil, but I don't think he is benevolent.

that's a huge gap your jumping across

oh well , i believe he is ... But not in the way all of you think... and define the word "benevolent"

God Gave us the Free will to eat or not eat this Cursed apple... we did ... it was our option , we did chose death ! ... So the " he doesnt helps us " thingy and the "he lets people die " thingy .... Just imagine if he had to save people , it would be like Breaking this free will , we chose Death... we could remain in heaven but we chose to eat this apple .

God is a Love machine... For me he is Benevolent , but each person defines this word related to God , Differently

Thank you

||Gray||

Anybody can become angry , Thats really easy ...
but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.

God is said to have given us free will yes, but we do not choose to create natural disasters and disease do we?

Also, you're implying that the story of Adam & Eve is true...

every death is based on Natural causes. God doesnt take away people
and yes.

Anybody can become angry , Thats really easy ...
but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.

One shouldn't (in my opinion) take the bible as fact. Take a look at the biblical society in which this story was composed in.

In Genesis we have TWO creation myths. One appears to me more chant like and repetitive (the first which details what god did on each day) and the other, which is a completely different story, seems to clarify male dominance in society.