'O almighty, all knowing, compassionate Lord..'

In hearing these words from a priests mouth one must look at the contradictions and conundrum of faith in regards to the problem of suffering. Just look at the world around you. Read the newspaper once and you'll understand this as every rational human being should.

If this "God" does exist, in co-ordinance with the priests statement, and is aware about the matters of his creations, then either:

1. God knows about suffering and could stop it but doesn't care, in which case he isn't compassionate

2. God knows about suffering, and cares about it but can't do a thing about it, in which case he isn't all-powerful

3. God can do something about it and cares about it, but doesn't know about it, in which case he isn't all-knowing.

Modern theoligians would argue that suffering is but a test and that we are all being subjected to pain and suffering in order to test our faith until the next coming of christ. But deep down in our souls any human being can and should empathize with the pain and suffering of another, and state ,without argument, that it is not right and at times seemingly without reason.
At this point the question of God becomes pointless, and when one focuses his or her path towards helping others who might be less fortunate rather then embarking on their own selfish spiritual journey, the world might start to realize the love of one another without the question of God as reason.

I think what drives most people to turn to athiesm is the clear and apparent contradictions presented in the words of the bible. If "God" is all-forgiving, then what does the idea of Hell represent? the ones who weren't forgiven? If God made the Earth, then the animals, then made Man directly after in his own image, then what are the Dinosaurs? who were the dominant species on this planet for millions of years before us. If some would beleive the Bible is and should be taken as a literal piece of historical fact, much like modern day history books, then one should also be able to compare the two as such. There is physical evidence of most of the events throughout the history of the earth. Most proving the stories in modern day history books. Except for the Bible ofcourse, in which there is no physical evidence or proof provided. Thus, the Bible, in my opinion should be taken as most great fables and myths should. Like the ones about dragons, magic and heroes. A great story with magic and miracles, replete with morals and life-lessons to be learnt, as all the best stories should.

And so, the question of God is an unimportant one. If people spend too much time on it they might, like many, fall into the seclusion of religion. Sectioning themselves off from society in a search for internal truth and comfort. Saying that beleivers should be held higher then non-beleivers, and spending their lives imposing it on others or living behind the divisions of its walls. When the real problems are right in front of our noses. PEOPLE need help. the WORLD needs help. And compassion, knowledge and the power to change, has and should have nothing to do with "God"

Learn more about this author, Corey Taylor.
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