Protestantism

» pink101 - A Vale of Tears

In response to Finding God At VT posted by BrianTubbs:
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Again, though, none of this should be construed to suggest that we just sit back and shrug off evil and suffering.
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As you've probably noticed, I don't pay a lot of attention to the detail in conversations that are not directed at me or in response to something I posted. Once in a while, something catches my attention and I respond. Recently I responded to one without reading the entire post and it appeared as though I agreed with something that I did not. Sorry about that.
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But, this post between you and Olive seems to be about God rewarding and not rewarding behavior in this or in the future(?) existence. And, I do have something to say about that.
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I'm not sure of Oliver's point; but, it seems to me that the enite idea about getting rewards in a future existence after one dies, is a bad idea. Some poor souls, not everyone, will decide that this life is a vale of tears and they just go along with that and suffer through it. Personally, I think that it is a bad idea to convince anyone that there is a piece of delicious pie in the sky awaiting them in the bye and bye. In another post there was some flack about living in the moment, etc. I think it is appropriate to point up that we must always life in the moment while we prepare and organize for the future--we should always be urged to work toward our best and most rewarding potential.
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Every person needs encouragement that they have a great deal to live for in this wonderful life. And, this poor sick sap, Cho, is an example of a person who--for whatever reason--was somehow cultivated to believe that what he did was something he had to do. There must be others who share in the blame for the person he was at the moment he made those terrible and fatal choices. There can be no justification for wasting a life--ever!.
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I watched a very violent movie last night, Scarface, and I paid close attention to the messages it sends to its viewers. Tony Montana is the lead role. He says, "I know I came from the gutter. I got no education; but, I know the street." And, at another place he says, "I got two things, balls and my word, and I don't break either one," and in another place he says, "I always tell the truth even if I lie." The author displays great insight into the human conditions. He helps us understand the roots of violent behavior.
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Pucino did a great joy of acting out the role of Montana.
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-- posted by pink101