The problem of Cain and Able

[athelstanent]

I was reading "Hegira" by Greg Bear. A good early novel by a great writer. As an aside he mentioned Cain and Able in the book. Then it hit me. God favored one sacrifice over another. I was taught it was not the sacrifice but how one did it. Regardless it shows that god shows favor. This seems to justify the "holier than thou" attitude that helped to push me away from any organized religion.

Why couldn't of god shown Cain how he wanted sacrifice? Did god want Able murdered? It just seems like a bad way to run things.

Comments

[blayzebright.livejournal.com]

My understanding was it *was* the manner that the sacrifice was given (insincerity) that main Cain's sacrifice less acceptable than Abel's. However while this is what is taught by the church itself, the actual Bible story indicates to me that it was more arbitrary.

[athelstan.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the confirmation. I agree that it feels more arbitrary and its that arbitrary nature that makes me feel icky about the entire story. It's as if god did not tell them how to make an offering, and because one of them made a mistake a murder took place. If there is a god why can't that god let us know in some way how they should be praised? It's sort of why I'm still waiting for god to come down and wrap his big furry arms around me in a hug and tell me that he loves me.

Then he has sex with me, but that's another story. }:-)

[strider-orion.livejournal.com]

Do tell! :3

[athelstan.livejournal.com]

Greetings Strider!

I guess you have not heard this story. }:-)

My biggest issue in my life is that I want validation. The ultimate form of validation for me would to have god visit me. I would know it was god just because of his presence. Then he would give me a big hug in his furry arms and tell me that I am a good person. He would then tell me that I am worthy and am doing a good enough job. Then he would have sex with me. A full on mounting from god with lots of cuddles before and after.

Note that I did say what sort of furry god is. I figure god will show himself to me in a form that works best for me. God for me would be a male, but I do not assume has has a real gender. God as a mother works as well.

[strider-orion.livejournal.com]

That's one helluva way to validate! XD I wish everyone would validate their friendship that way with me! :P Oi!! Bad Strider x__x *smacks self*

[athelstan.livejournal.com]

No you are not bad for wanting to mount and/or be mounted. If you ever show up at AC, Conifur, or out in Oregon I would be happy to oblige you with either or both. Me and my mate both accept that I yiff with friends who like to have a friendly yiff.

[strider-orion.livejournal.com]

two problems,

1) That's the opposite side of the universe for me.

2) My wife doesn't share the same views about friendly yiff :P

That's one reason for the "I wish" bit XD

[athelstan.livejournal.com]

Ah well! I respect couples and their decisions about having a closed relationship. Open and closed relationships have the same number of difficulties, just different ones.

I leave it at that unless you want to talk about relationship dynamics. }:-)

[blayzebright.livejournal.com]

Wanna be my friend? ;)

[strider-orion.livejournal.com]

*humps leg*