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Would a benevolent God, knowing that the majority of people in the world would never be exposed to the correct 'Religion' or 'Denomination' send people to hell based on that fact, or is it incompatible with benevolence?
Whether or not you answer in the affirmative or the negative, does this in your opinion create a lottery situation in which some people are given greatly increased chances of acheiving salvation and heaven based on random factors? While others are given a greatly decreased, if any, chance to receieve salvation and heaven?
If you answer in the negative [He would send them to hell] how do you reconcile the situation in which someone may, for instance, live all their lives in a radical, 'heathen' country where information of the 'true' [whatever it may be] religion is not allowed?
This is difficult to create in a 2 sided debate (and to make this post neutral), but first I'll try and explain the question.
Let's look at this from the point of view that you are about to start a religion. You do not believe in it, nor do you believe in God but you see the world around you in despair and want to make some rules. However you feel people will not take these rules seriously and need a way to enforce them. This enforcer is God.
Forgetting whether or not you believe in God, what is God's role to humans? After creating us the universe (or not) is the concept or belief in God what is needed to keep people in order? Let's say there was no God. When going against the rules of the religion how would you be punished? Jail? Community work? Parole? Fines? Or a limitless amount of pain for an infinite amount of time? (to burn in hell). Is that a much larger deterrent than something imagineable and altogether not so terrible? For a follower, is God's existance much more influential than the country's police and courts?
So to get to the original point, should the idea of God be promoted whether or not you believe in Him? Even if He IS a lie, would it be better to to have this lie promote morals or if not God, some kind of 'myth'? Whether real or not, is belief in God for the GREATER GOOD?
Two sides are - Yes, belief in the existance of God whether God exists or not has MORE benefits than lack of belief in God.
- No, belief in the existance of God whether God exists or not has LESS benefits than lack of belief in God.
P.S. - Don't make this an argument about religions. This is purely about the belief in God and not different religions beliefs and opinions in God. No talk on Christianity, Islam, Hinduism - as that is NOT the question.
Everything that is happening over there is just crazy. It is never-ending. Nobody can reach any kind of meaningful agreement because each side (and supporters of each side) believe they are right. Let's see who can present the best arguments and the best evidence. I am genuinely curious to hear arguments from BOTH sides.
Many equate the meaning of "violence" with "use of dangerous force" or "agression." If that is how you think, you are (I predict) likely to disagree with the assertion this debate is based on. I would consider this debate a success if the opposing sides could agree on a succinct definition of violence.
Debate formerly titled: "Violence is never justified." then "The doing of justice never requires violence."
In the midst of politics, civil rights, global warming, and whatever issue is the most famous today, the largest problems are often consigned to the background. One of these if our population problem. Though we most likely will not encounter severe issues with overpopulation, the increasing human population appears to be having a devestanting impact on the environment and numerous species.
Issues to concider in your response:
Is overpopulation a problem (or does it exist)?
What is the best solution to this problem?
How has humanity altered the landscape and contributed to environmental and species related problems?
What is the timeframe of the (severe) impacts of overpopulaiton?
Some schools have traditionally displayed the Commandments on walls – not as part of religious studies lessons, but rather as tools for moral instruction for their student
If we have at all advanced as a species beyond territorial rivalry, then why is the Earth constantly under a state of fear, be it the threat of nuclear war, terrorists, anti-terrorism, imperialism, economic destabilization (to name a few examples)?
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