Are you talking about God not intervening when people commit murder, or are you talking about God himself smiting a city/tribe/whatever?

I'm talking about God the murderer.

I don't really relish the idea of eternal life. It sounds sort of boring to me. But then, I'm hard to please.

For me, eternal life = "think of all the cool stuff I could learn." Like maybe God would give us a starship so me and Einstein and Ray Bradbury could travel from galaxy to galaxy... I could probably kill off a few billion years that way....

Are you talking about God not intervening when people commit murder, or are you talking about God himself smiting a city/tribe/whatever?

I'm talking about God the murderer.

And what specific instances are you thinking of? I can answer your question a lot better if I know what you're referring to instead of a general comment.

ita, did you watch last night's Hustle yet?

No, not yet. I've just started.

I find this religious discussion completely fascinating, and hope no one gets upset by it. I am supremely areligious myself most of the time, and am fascinated by people like Steph who articulate what I just don't get. I mean, if I saw what Steph saw, I'd be Christian myself. I don't, obviously, but still want to hear her viewpoint because it's so...rich? I think that's the sensation I'm feeling.

Ah, this is the sort of thing that reminds me why I love this place, intelligent conversation.

still want to hear her viewpoint because it's so...rich?

That's one of the nicest compliments anyone has given me. Thank you!

And what specific instances are you thinking of? I can answer your question a lot better if I know what you're referring to instead of a general comment.

Well there were those Egyptian first-borns. And the kids in Sodom. The Blog at Slate that we were talking about has a nice crisp example today from Numbers 16, where a small group rebells against Moses and God causes the earth to swallow up the leaders and their children. And Job's kids. And . . .

Edit: 16 not 6

I find this religious discussion completely fascinating, and hope no one gets upset by it. I am supremely areligious myself most of the time, and am fascinated by people like Steph who articulate what I just don't get. I mean, if I saw what Steph saw, I'd be Christian myself. I don't, obviously, but still want to hear her viewpoint because it's so...rich? I think that's the sensation I'm feeling.

ita speaks for me. I'm incredibly interested in the discussion, because it's about something I know I should think about, but haven't bothered to. Also, the viewpoints being posited are not ones I would have come to myself - I don't think.

Steph, you're part of a big thing. And I don't mean that in terms of community. What you describe is vast and populated, elaborate but simple.

I believe in a much emptier space, with fewer reasons and little rules. I like my beliefspace, but I can't resist getting on my tippy toes to look over the fence at other people's. It's like getting the smell of dinner that you're not going to eat. It can be distracting even when you have your own satisfying meal in front of you.

In conclusion, Steph's brains smell quite spicy.

I don't have anything to add to the religion discussion.

Totally off topic: Anyone in the LA area (Valley specifically) ever use a pet-sitting service that they liked? I need one that'll administer fluids to my cat, too.