I haven't the faintest idea whether God could square a circle or why evil exists. Indeed, the question that has always seemed pertinent to me is that of why /so much/ evil exists. It seems that God knows it exists, and works amongst its existence (or the absence of good) in the person of Christ. I can't decide whether it's the best objection to Christianity or one of the worst. Some of the Christians I know are people one could describe as having suffered a great many evils, and yet they still continue to come to Church.
However, I think that the practice of Christianity on the basis that one considers oneself hell-ward bound without such practice is bad practice. Here is Gerard Manley Hopkin's poem, which I think gives a far better reason for loving God: http://www.cybertime.net/~ajgood/ilove.html The crucial lines being: "Not for heaven's sake; not to be Out of hell by loving thee; Not for any gains I see;".
I love the idea of the radical non-utility of that. "Not for any gains I see..." Wonderful. I don't know if it's true, but I very much like the sentiment.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: This year's CICCU Main Event - DIRECTION
Date: 2005-02-09 03:59 pm (UTC)However, I think that the practice of Christianity on the basis that one considers oneself hell-ward bound without such practice is bad practice. Here is Gerard Manley Hopkin's poem, which I think gives a far better reason for loving God: http://www.cybertime.net/~ajgood/ilove.html The crucial lines being: "Not for heaven's sake; not to be
Out of hell by loving thee; Not for any gains I see;".
I love the idea of the radical non-utility of that. "Not for any gains I see..." Wonderful. I don't know if it's true, but I very much like the sentiment.