Guys I have a question, this isnt me trying to start something just being curious but what is the generally accepted response within the Christian community to those that say "if your god forgives all why does he let good caring people die of cancer and other things" just wondering

No, I think it'* a fair question. I think (and someone *please* correct me if i'm wrong) that the Catholic church believes that although God forgives everyone, he still left us with freewill, which sometimes translates to pain and suffering. And although you can't say that someone'* choice led to cancer, that'* the best answer I can come up with. There are also some groups of people (i'm not sure if this has any offical religious base at all) that believe that suffering on earth (ie: cancer) is like going through pergatory here before reaching the afterlife.

God forgives you for your sins. Getting cancer isn't a sin. It'* just a phsyical limitation. If you believe in the afterlife most people with cancer probably wouldn't worry because they know there is something better.

Thats just my take.

Now onto the topic on Pilot.

If haven't seen the movie yet, so i don't know how its played out yet, but. His wife had a dream that told Pilot not to have anything to do with the death of jesus. He did not believe this man was guilty. He left it up to the jewish leaders at that point. If he did not there was going to be a riot, and then Pilot would have been out of a job by the ceaser.

I guess cancer was a bad example another that would fit into my question is why would god let the soldiers die in ww2 or let people become pedophiles or serial killers

Yeah, see that fits the freewill thing even better. War and such are a result of man'* choice to go against God. But then if the same men (or woman...we're talking humanity) truly want to be forgiven and are sorry, then the same God will forgive them.

Ok.. this might just be a jumble of thoughts, but this is how i see it. When God created man there was no pain, no suffering, everything was perfect. Adam and eve had freewill, and we have it today. we know the story.. they ate the apple.. sin enter the world. I've wondered as i'm sure many of us have about well why didn't God just make us love and obey him. Well that'* not true love. For example: If my parents arrainged for me to be married, and told me i must love this person.... is that love. If i fall in love with someone and choose to spend the rest of my life with them.. that is true love. So my point of that is.. to have true love, we must have freewill.

On to the point of suffering, when sin entered the world all this crap (cancer, drunk driving, murder) all sins entered the world. To God a sin is a sin. Mathew 5:28 "but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" "Why does God allow the innocent to suffer" Well the truth is only one innocent person ever suffered. Jesus Christ. No i'm not saying that a bystandard that is hit by a drunk driver is hit because of the bystanders sin. Our sins can affect other people. God let'* bad things happen becuase he gave us freewill. We can use that freewill for to love him, love other, and to love everyone, or we can use that freewill for anything evil.

I hope i summed it all up without stepping on anyone toes. Please correct me if i'm wrong anywhere. I hpoe this helps some of you... Any question, comment, or snide remarks.. you can e-mail me at Wolfedog50 at hotmail.com.

That won't be necessary.

Keep this discussion alive without snide comments or hateful emails. Wolfedog, thats a kind gesture, but I ask the members to voice here.

Keep it up

well the snide remarks was a joke....... well at least i thought it was funny

I love history too! Are you more into World history or what? I love studying ancient world history.

If you want to read a book or two that deal with the Historicity of Jesus and the Bible here'* a few titles:

"The New Evidence that Demands a verdict" and " More than a Carpenter." These are by Josh McDowell

A few titles that are for those who are skeptics are:

"A Skeptic'* Search for God." by Ralph O. Muncaster, and "Mere Christiantity" by C.*. Lewis.

Not trying to push anything, nor am I looking to debate, but thought you or other'* may want to read up on it since it'* an issue.

Another good author and appologist worth reading is Ravi Zacharias. His works are very intelligent and thought provoking.


People forget that the Bible is not A book but sixty six books. They were compiled together, but are multiple historical documents written by many over a few millenia or so.

Also, Josephus mentions Christ and his followers in his works too.

So technically, from a historical standpoint, there are much more than one single source reguarding this.

Just FYI.....

I just wanna say i think it'* awesome that Christian, Non-christian, unsure, ect. alike can come here and have a civilized conversation about religion withoutht anyone getting bent out of shape. I think that says a lot for the type of people here.