Aren't those all biblical characters too? I mean, people in the bible. In the time when god din't play hide and seek all the time.
He doesn't even now, it's just us who don't wish to acknowledge Him existing. Nevertheless, that quote from Hitchhiker is an example of human logic, which does not apply to God as we have already concluded.
How is that a materialistic society?
Can you please name me the ideals of a materialistic society? I name them as everyone having access to material goods, and no single material good is in possession of a single person. It's probable that I'm mistaken, in 1991 we weren't already studying communism and marxism in details. If I'm right, then the growth vector of that society is towards increase of material goods while forgetting about personality, just because "everyone" is as good as "one or another", ignoring people as identities. This led to stagnation in the third generation here, when finally people who were educated under communism appeared as rulers, and have found out that they are, too, not considered as personalities, but as "council members" at best, not taking their personal qualities. This in turn led to them either self-manifesting by ambitious projects, or by eliminating opposition, or both. This led to loss of power in 1991.
Capitalist societies are those who step on others to reach a higher vantage point, or to gain more wealth in one form or the other.
Well, careerism is indeed the target of "American dream" as far as I can see, but this forces people to develop personalities and not to be "screws in a machine" as what was proclaimed as a norm in Soviet Union. This actually allowed people to not lose their beliefs either in any society ideal, or in God, and this belief seems to be enough for God to decide helping that kid we're arguing about for several last pages.
About why true Communism is good but unattainable - humans are naturally selfish, and whoever has power in the society tends to grab more valuables under his control, which is contrary to Communism's ideals, as I understand them.
Maybe because Christianity wasn't winning?
The question was when, not why. When - yesterday daytime (MST) or nighttime or morning EST. Why - because some mod desired to do this. What for - I'd ask the mod team. And about if we're not winning - it's normal to look that we're not. :P We know the end, and in the end we'll win, since God is with us.
Pretty much what this whole thread has been is 3-4 people saying Christianity is right, then an Atheist comes in and asks why, the christian just says I know it's true or gives a link to a unvalid source such as a blog or personal website, and then the Atheist gives some counter evidence which is addressed by more personal testimants..and on and on it goes.
I see there me as Christian, 3-4 atheists supporting each other as you, MGW, E1337 and qwerty1011, there are more occasionally appearing, and several of those who still hesitate if Christianity is really wrong. So yes, this does not look like we're winning. And Kasic, did you forget several issues that are still buried within this topic regarding events that are deemed miracles, like healing from gangrena in Zeitun, preservation of flesh and blood for 1200+ years and issues in blood weighing in Lanciano, The complete testimony of Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, the heal of Gloria Polo from internal burns due to lightning strike, and more? While any and every issue isn't addressed to provide a plausible explanation, I can still claim them being miracles.
