Ive already read a few good answers on other blogs , so wont comment . In your own words , What is wrong with Stephens philosophy?
The only thing that is wrong with Stephen Fry is that he has never had an encounter with the person of Jesus, every idea he has about God or no God, together with all his arrogance would melt away in an instant if he allowed the tiniest drop of God's love to touch him. I pray he will, he said himself in the full interview that he finds it very difficult to accept love, he also said that he may change his mind in the future because he's always surprising himself. I think there's great hope for him if we all pray for him.
But to answer the original question, no, God is not mean, it's just that His ways are so high above our ways, His thoughts so far above ours that it doesn't make sense to us. It begins to make a little sense once we meet Him in prayer.
Intellectual garbage...it made me sick. So wrong in so many ways. Wish i had time to answer but need to go to mass. Brother al
I think it is reasonable to have those opinions at some stage of your life. I think it is unfortunate or even tragic to entertain those ideas for an extended period. Beautiful Stephen Fry needs our prayers. God doesn't need us to worship Him, He knows it's good for us to worship Him, just like He knows life giving sex in marriage is good for us, not killing is good for us, and to rest on the Sabbath is good for us. I didn't always believe any of this but thank God I've been permittted to live long enough to have seen that the 'rules / commandments' are for our sake not God’s. Please God all in the media will receive a similar grace- coz it twas God not me that opened my heart and mind.
Is it mean for a parent to hand their precious child over to surgeon and say, "Cut him open with a knife. Do whatever you have to; just save his life."? God will allow whatever it takes to bring us, and as many as we can bring along, safely home to Him for eternity.
I think maybe if he thought more deeply about the subjects he brought up he might see the flaw in his reasoning. For example he talks all the time about how 'unjust' the world is as created by God but what is this 'just and unjust' thing all about in the mechanical non God created world that he thinks we live in? The philosophers throughout history always pointed out that this striving towards 'justice' and 'truth' proves in fact the existence of something outside ourselves, God, its a breech in the wall of a purely mechanical universe. As regards his other points this is a very interesting discussion on why illness in children is permitted by God, by Fr Zlatko Sudac: [video][/video]
You know the sad part is that when you die God just sentences you to where you want to go. And when you read this man's comments he sounds like he absolutely hates God, especially if he finds out he actually exists! Now granted if this man converts before he dies he will be like St. Paul and become a PITA for atheists like he is now for believers. How sad. God wants our unconditional fiat. And if it demands my life or illness or opression He wants me to trust Him in the greater good of things. I don't understand why people just don't get that this life is just a test no matter what your state in life in how you treat others. God Bless!
What the Archbishop Should Have Said to Stephen Fry February 6, 2015 by Fr. Dwight Longenecker English homosexual activist and public atheist Stephen Fry has stirred the hornet’s nest with some juvenile comments about God and the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a speech defending religious freedom, has propped him up. Fry was a guest on an Irish TV show when he was asked what he would say to God at the pearly gates if it turned out that God really existed after all.Fryresponded, “I would say, ‘How dare you. How dare you create a world in which there is such misery that’s not our fault? It’s not right. It’s utterly, utterly evil. He added: “The God who created this universe, if he created this universe, is quite clearly a maniac, an utter maniac, totally selfish.” This is, of course, an utterly sophomoric reply and only shows Fry’s ignorance of the subject of theodicy–the question of a good God and the existence of evil. Theodicy or Fry’s idiocy? The fact of the matter is that Christian theologians and saints have for ages struggled with this same question and their thought has produced the most profound and heart rending conclusions. My comment to atheists when they wish to engage me in debate is, “The internet’s a wonderful thing. I encourage you to do the research if you really want an answer. Libraries are good too.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby then stepped up in Fry’s defense. He is right that Fry has every right to say what he wants, but how is it that the Archbishop can so amazingly miss the tone of the moment and the expectations everyone has of a religious leader? The ABC should have said, “Mr Fry is entitled to his opinion, but he is a comedian not a theologian, and while his comments are, no doubt, heartfelt, they reveal his ignorance in this matter. God built into creation this marvelous thing called free will. We may do what we like. Mr Fry, for instance, may “marry” another man if he wishes. God, as a loving father, does not force us to do anything, but allows us to learn and grow. He takes risks so that we might develop into the beings he intends us to be. Consequently we get it wrong and evil proliferates. In ways we cannot comprehend all the suffering and evil in the world comes from this basic reality. The good thing is that God has also provided a way out–and the cross of Jesus Christ is the profound lesson that despite the greatest evil, all that is beautiful, good and true will triumph.” I’m sure the ABC is a good chap. Pity he missed a great opportunity to evangelize and stand up for the faith. Instead he comes across as having thrown a crust to the howling atheists at the gates.
My dear Mom was certainly no theologian, but she provided to me and my family the most brilliant answer on suffering, pain and the meaning of life during the last few weeks of her life when she suffered and endured much pain. She told all of us that she had had a most blessed life and had been graced by God in so many ways. She said how could she complain now that she was suffering? She said it would have made her a hypocrite as she accepted all the blessings , she should equally and with joy, yes joy, accept the suffering. You see she, a simple housewife, knew more theology than thus poor man - she understood that God loved her and never would hurt her. She KNEW that in her pain, God was present with His love. And did it have meaning? Yes, I can testify that me, my wife, my children and my family who were caring for her until she passed in complete peace felt the palpable presence of God. He did not abandon her or us. We felt- no we experienced love. That was the theology lesson my mom gifted us with.
Just seen this video here.. quick reply... Such questions of why doesn't God help this person or that person is mere speculation. Has God not endowed man with adequate reason to his or her person; that one knows right from wrong and therefore can act accordingly, morally. I fear many souls act on their dispositions to the rule of heart; God; because it does not adhere fast to theirs. This causes certain souls to be disgruntled and mischievous, unthinking in their understanding of God's plan: (will) As souls we do not see the whole picture, but are rather contained to our own window box of life -while- the good God sees everything as it would play out well in advice -as- to make the most morally correct course; for anyone life. But many do not care to entertain, understand this in their pursuit of their own pleasures: giving way to the feelings of the flesh; which taints reason, dulls it; rejects it: rather than the committed in truth that comes from the soul that accepts, seeks, repents and therefore: understanding commit to better himself and others. God Bless!
I see it quite simple Stephen is in pain and is angry with God.The reality is that Stephen actually unknown to himself loves God, when I watched Stephen I could only think of St Paul and his conversion, I get the strongest feeling that God has big plans for Stephen...
God loves us a billion, billion times more then we can ever imagine The very first thing you'll say when you step into heaven is.. I never knew I never knew I never knew Then questions like this will burn like grass on a summers day View attachment 2915
