Kentucky will now be known as the state whose governor endorsed and gave $40 million in tax breaks to people who want to tell children that science and history explain that a 600 year old man herded dinosaurs, fire-breathing dragons and unicorns onto a big boat 4,000 years ago.
I have no words. Here’s The Atlantic’s report.
Recently a Christian named Jordan told me that God had to have created a world with evil, because otherwise we wouldn’t have free will.
Here is my response.
Jordan, you are now implying that the ability to choose evil is more important than avoiding evil, in the eyes of God.
A bold assertion.
And yet a necessary one, probably, if one believes a “benevolent” (when it does not limit the ability of Creation to do evil), omnipotent god exists.
Still, I hold it makes no rational sense at all. We wouldn’t call god “good”, then, should we. We should call him evil-enabling, since that is what — by your own argument — he values more than goodness!
Since when has free will (or the illusion of it) needed the ability to do evil, and since when is free will more important than morality or general happiness? This is why I can never, ever respect theology. Each answer reveals more contradictions and absurdities.
I think I’ll just let this quote, from the daughter of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper, who is a street preacher, speak for itself.
The shackled 57-year-old Mitchell was present in the courtroom and sat singing throughout the reading of the verdict. He sang about Jesus Christ on the cross and held his hands in front of his chest as though he was praying.
Mitchell’s former stepdaughter, Rebecca Woodridge, told reporters outside the courthouse that she didn’t know how jurors could not find that her stepfather was mentally ill.
“He honestly believes God tells him to do these things,” Woodridge said. “He’s upset and frustrated that the Lord is making him go through this.”