Thoughts on Faith and Religion

Collective Punishment

Is collective punishment fair? Should we punish children for the crimes of their parents? Should we punish their children’s children or their children’s, children’s children? How about hundreds of generations or more?

What would you think of a government that would punish every descendant of a criminal (no matter how distant) and never offer the chance to escape this blood debt? While people would not want their government to commit such a horrible injustice, they see no injustice in their god inflicting disease, death, misery and every other aliment in the world over some distance ancestor eating a piece of fruit!

What could possibly be more horrible and unjust? Because a couple of people, who were totally naïve, listened to a talking snake, this merciful god, who should have seen it coming anyway, inflicts this punishment on every descendant from the most innocent baby to the elderly!

Furthermore, this merciful, just and perfect god does not offer any way for people to make up for this horrible crime of eating a piece of fruit. No matter what they do, there is no escaping the sin of their distant ancestors.

Any government that practices collective punishment is rightfully condemned as violating human rights. Yet, this god can practice collective punishment infinitely more harsh is merciful and just?!

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One Response to “Collective Punishment”

  1. Phillip Saska says:

    I disagree that the original inhabitants of this earth were naive. Adam and Eve were perfect. That mean no defects. They, Adam first were taught by direct contact with thier creator. They received instruction that was perfect and completely understandable. They made a concious decision to make thier own government and received the plainly given punishment, imperfection and eventual death. They received the sentance of death immediately. They were now imperfect and dying. Could they have children that were any different? We all waste away and die because Adam could not pass on any ability to be perfect. It is similar to a dented bread pan. All loaves coming from it will also be dented.
    We await the benefits of a new order to be brought about by Satan’s abyssing at the end of Armageddon, and the bringing back to perfection of those making it through Armageddon and those resurrected according to John 5:28,29.
    I hope to see that time, even if I die today.

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