is god alive or dead ?
By juniorance
@juniorance (250)
India
September 23, 2007 12:17am CST
BEST EXPLANATION EVER!
This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that i have seen:A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cutting and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation . They talked about so many things and various subjects.When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:" I don't believe that God exists ."
"Why do you say that ?"asked the cutomer."Well,you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.Tell me,if God exists,would there be so many sick people ?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."
The cutomer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.Just after he left the barbershop , he saw a man in the street with long, stringy , dirty hair and a untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and said to the barber : "You know what ? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that ?"asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I'm a baber.And I just worked on you!"
"NO!" the customer exclaimed. " Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me "
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer."That's the point! God , too DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to him for help . That's! why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
What do you think GOD EXISTS OR NOT ?
5 people like this
12 responses
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
23 Sep 07
No, I don't .. but not for the reasons the fictional customer pointed out. There's one major flaw in your sentimental story. Someone who believes that God doesn't exist because of pain and suffering aren't actual non-believers, they believe and dislike the actions of the God they say they don't believe in. And an actual atheist has reasons for being a non-believer .. reasons that wouldn't be swared by some emotional non-logic.
My reasons are much simpler. There's no proof. I've never had even one shred of evidence presented to me that provides there is a force more powerful than what we can see, touch and reveal. I will not put stock in the bible as proof, being a manmade collection of error ridden texts. Anyone who DOES use it as their proof needs to have their head examined, unless they also believe that bats are birds, unicorns exist and dinosaurs never did.
If such a time comes that proof is presented to me, I'd happily change my mind. It might be comforting to know there's a larger plan in mind, hence the reason there are so many believers to begin with. I'd take comfort in knowing there's a reason for everything. But the simple fact is that I can't believe anything of the kind without there being some evidence to back it up.
3 people like this
@adquirante (232)
• Philippines
23 Sep 07
For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, no explanation is possible.
2 people like this
@amante17 (26)
• United States
24 Oct 07
Ah but here is simplicity the bible is not the only proof of God just take tenth grade world history. Yes this is history forever written down with proof to back it up or else they would not be allowed to teach it in the public school system. Many things point out that Jesus existed and that the Bible is true. and why do you think that all of the predictions from the Bible have thus far come true.
@thefortunes (2367)
• Netherlands
23 Sep 07
One thing is for sure, some call it God, some call it Devine Power, some call it Universal Power, and many other names, but it exists. Something is out there. Humanity has always been in need of a faith, and faith has helped people in their lives through many struggles. Most believe in it and worship it while others don't, and everyone is entitled to be and do as he/she pleases.
TheFortunes
2 people like this
@saina_srs (7)
• India
23 Sep 07
no doubt , god exists .I certainly believe in god
1 person likes this
@emilywickersham (56)
• United States
23 Sep 07
Sorry, but this just doesn't do it. Coming to God might stop people from hurting each other, but what about the suffering caused by "Acts of God?" Earthquakes, tornadoes and floods all cause horrible suffering, and affect the religious and the irreligious alike.
@Valce1 (173)
• Canada
24 Sep 07
That's not a good argument...
1: Barbers are not supposedly omnipotent
2: People who go to God still die/suffer etc, sometimes more than they would have otherwise (re: refusing medical treatment on religious grounds)
The best explanation is this:
Say you're a father with a growing child. Do you... follow the kid around everywhere he goes and try to make sure he doesn't make any mistakes/get hurt in any way? Stand behind him when he goes to school, to his friend's house, to the washroom?
No, you give him his freedom, let him do what he wants, and try to guide him from doing the wrong thing. That's the wise thing to do, so why wouldn't God do it?
Sometimes people learn best from their mistakes.
1 person likes this
@raphael_volts (1131)
• India
23 Sep 07
Amusing story pal... All true, people keep on arguing whether there is God or not, they keep on telling that they have to feel so much pain, pain that they chose themselves. People say " How can I believe that God is there when there is so much suffering in this world" They say that only thng that exists is evil, and thats the only reason they face so much pain.
They never recognise that there believe in evil and not in GOD is helping the evil to grow and eventually the pain they face. These people never look upto God for strength or way, but only for complaining and whining. They never understand the words that God said Himself, "I help those, those who help themselves", "Ask and shall be given to you, Knock awnd it shall be opened", Come oon people just belive. He said " One who holds on till the end will be saved" Why don't we believe in the Good words but only in the bad.
Why do we have to make our hearts dark by just believeing and living in darkness, why can't we be happy for what he has given us, why don't we swallow our pride and love each other, Believe in love, thats what God wants us to. Once that happens people will start feeling the presence of goodness.
Any ways
GOD Bless YOU Loads
@keep_onwatch (2680)
• India
26 Sep 07
Really well said, thats very excellent answer for ur question.yeah god does exist and yeah we turn to him, he will help us out......in every way...
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
24 Sep 07
That sounds like a good comeback. Some say that God only helps those who help themselves.
@ebusaf (329)
• United States
24 Sep 07
Everyone has their own beliefs and I respect that, I know God is alive within me. Its a feeling that no words can express. As far as people suffering, i just think people get caught up in their own selfish thinking, and allow themselves to be the captain of their ship, and really God should be in the drivers seat. We're all human, and we all have selfish moments, but we have to all remember that if we allow God to be in the drivers seat..he will not steer us in the wrong direction.
@christineli (525)
• Philippines
24 Sep 07
I like your story. I believe in God. However, there is no explanation for those people who do not believe in Him. But there's a way. During the lowest point or darkest hour of their lives, they would know that there is God, if they would just call upon Him.
