I strongly disagree with Newt Gingrich’s statement that the world is inherently a very dangerous place. I actually think I might be a bit appalled by this statement. From a religious standpoint, I know for a fact that when God created the earth he did not include guns, atomic bombs, and drugs. If He had in fact put those things on the earth then Gingrich’s belief would be undoubtedly true. But things are not so, and the danger we see around us is due to the everyday choices we make.
I can see how Gingrich came to that conclusion what with all the past massacres and wars, and even the wars happening right now. On the other hand it is obvious that these things happen not because the world we live in has always been dangerous, but because our differences in opinion and the conflicts that arise from them, and our actions and the consequences of them. I do agree with Gingrich that we as Americans need to learn how to deal with things like the environment and the economy in a beneficial way in order for this country to be great. If people did not make bad choices or always agreed with what is being said, then America and other countries as well would be better places. There would no need for anyone to wake up every day and be afraid for their life. Unfortunately, and fortunately for that matter, we are human and not perfect, and therefore life will go on as is.
From: http://thisibelieve.org/essay/3/
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Let me start off by saying that I agree with almost everything you've said here. Where I do not agree with you is your reasoning for why the world is not inherently a dangerous place. From my religious standpoint, I believe that God created the world and saw that it was good (Genesis 1). Then the fall of man comes along (Genesis 2), and later the flood. God sent the flood because of man's wickedness on earth. Genesis 6:6 says, "The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain."
ReplyDeleteThis does mainly apply to people making bad decisions, and as you said, making the world a dangerous place. Throughout the Old Testiment of the Bible, however, Jesus speaks of how a person needs to be saved of his earthy sins and needs to have faith in God to enter heaven. In John 16:33 Jesus says, "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." In Revelation, the apostle John speaks of the end times and how God will bring his wrath against the world. Now, from a religious stand point, why would God bring his wrath agianst a world that is not inherently bad? He would not. God is a just God, he says so himself. Would God, being the just God that he is, punish a world that is not inherently bad? That would not be a very just move on God's behalf. The world became inherently bad after the fall of man, this religious standpoint supports Newt Gingrich's claim.
(The Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2003)
I can see where you are coming from Courtney and you came up with some good references. The only problem I have is that from a religious standpoint, I think that whether or not you believe that the world is inherently dangerous depends on your interpretation of the Bible. God did in fact send the flood to wipe out the people who were wicked, but only the wicked would have been hurt. It’s like when a teacher reprimands an entire class for one student’s wrongdoing. That is unjust, and if God is just like He says He is, would He punish the entire world for the mistakes of a few?
ReplyDeleteAs for the fact that God grieved when he made man, I interpret that as Him grieving the loss of His perfect world to corrupt people. I know that God knew what the effect of creating man on the earth would be, but it would have been selfish of Him to have the earth to Himself. People will always need to be saved to get to heaven because nobody is without sin. With that said, I believe that man may be inherently bad, thus making it seem as though the world itself is naturally dangerous. We, the people on earth, are not the world. The world itself is pure and will remain that way because that is the way God made it.