[papillon]

I've been very religious tangu utotoni and I have believed in God all along but of late, I've come to doubt whether God is really there and if he is, why he allows things to happen the way they do. I've even come to think that he could be a sadist playing around with us mortals like pieces in a chess game. If one really can't have a good life here on earth, what good would the good life after death do; one which obviously no one has ever experienced.

Team manager and all those other guys who still believe please help me answer this questions/scenarios and please refrain from long answers about the will of God etc etc

1. You have a young daughter (2 to 12yrs) who is raped and from there on her life is full of nightmares and she never ever recovers from the experience. You ask yourself these questions,
a)Where was God when this was happening
b)The wages of sin (according to xtianity is death and suffering) What was the young girls sins.
c)Will she be held responsible if she never ever believes in mankind leave alone God whom she has never seen?.

2. Why is there no direct co-relation between doing good and prospering. (There are rich murderers who hold high places in governments all over the place, thieves embezzlers etc yet there are poor people (actually the majority who have never taken anything that is not theirs?)

3. Xtianity argues that God intended us to have a good life here on earth and later on in heaven. Why is it that some people have never known peace and happiness ever since they came to this world? (examples may be given on request)

4. To expound on point three, does God really love us all equally or some of us are pawns in his chess game that is the world?

5. What is really our purpose here on earth. (I mean why did God create us knowing very well that down the line man will sin and the wages of sin is eternal suffering?).

6. When all is said and done, I think religion is even more of a farce than God. Its intended to keep humans in chech just like state laws are meant to. But I'll give one point to religion for those who believe, and practice their religion, they do experience some inner peace and sometimes joy. I've come to think the reason why this is so is because of hope. Life without hope is as useless or tasteless as eating a carton.

Bring it on guys and although my knowledge of the bible is kidogo rusty I will engage you.

NB: I used to pray every day but of late I don't see the need.