Originally posted by L. O. Cutionist:
concept doesn't pass the logic test:
If God is all powerfull, then why did HE create such a fucked up system wherein we have to be redeemed? Why not be redeemed from the gitgo?
well, you see. . .god created adam, and out of adam, god created eve. . .eve, tempted by a serpent, convinced adam to eat an apple from the tree of knowledge. upon finding this out, god banished adam and eve from paradise, as such, each one of us has had to deal with the result of their sins. so, each of us have original sin, which can only be redeemed through faith and/or good works (depending on which christian religion you follow). however, god also gave man the ability to have free will (a point that's also debatable depending on which christian religion you follow). man has the option to believe or not believe, to act one way or not act one way. if you choose to reject god, you can, but do so with certain repercussions.
anselm argues that since we can conceive of the idea of something higher and more powerful than man, there must in fact be something higher and more powerful than man. i know, it's rather silly argument, but it sufficied for near 400 years.
pascal puts forth the following wager (unlike previous a priori arguments, such as anselm's above, or descartes): if you believe there is no god, and in fact, there is no god, then nothing happens, if you believe there is no god, but there is a god, then you are damned to hell, if you believe there is a god, but there is no god, then nothing happens to you, but, if you belive there is a god, and there is a god, then you end up in heaven. so, pascal asks, what would you choose? nothing, hell or heaven? how does it hurt you to believe in god?
nevertheless, kierkegaard would probably agree with you. . to a point. he argues that being a christian should be the most miserable existence because you know that your life on earth can only be terrible, in comparison to your life in heaven, but, you can't (or shouldn't) do anything to end your life sooner. therefore, a christian is doomed to despair that he/she cannot be reunited with god and jesus until he/she dies, and no sooner. so, he/she can only feel despair knowing that the best life is in fact not on earth as a living person, but when one is dead.
(and yes, i'm aware that i could be using God, but i feel that the distinctions between the two are irrelevant. . .faith is faith, whether it's the christian God, or anything else for that matter. . as well all have our own "faith," be it in god, science or believing in nothing at all)
