Today I was at church (I am forced to attend) and somehow our youth group got on the subject of Ebola. My younger brother, who is only eleven, raised his hand and proclaimed that if people just believed in Jesus as a whole, there would be no diseases. Then went on to state that it was in the fault of the unbelievers sins. The youth leader agreed fully. Needless to say, I felt like face palming. My brother is such a good kid. He has the softest heart of any child I have ever known, and we are very close, but seeing him struggle with faith and having my mom refute back with "We're not meant to understand everything" really makes me sick. It worries me that my brother will spend his childhood the way I did. Unintentionally hurting people and basically hating for Jesus.
I can see it in his eyes that he questions things, and I know he wants to think freely, but on top of my mom denying any skepticism he has, he is terrified of there being no afterlife.
Anyway, just really needed to vent. Thank you if you actually took the time to read this and/or comment.
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Giving false hope and consolation was always one of the best tools of Christianity since the very beginning in the ancient roman empire.
I would suggest you watch this movie to understand the most likely christian origins:
http://vimeo.com/69145519
Sloth's brother - "if people just believed in Jesus as a whole, there would be no diseases...the fault of the unbelievers sins."
Wait; so when an non-believer sins it creates diseases, but when a believer sins it does not? :)
It might be helpful to ask your brother questions that can be described as 'thought bombs'. Rhetorical. Those that will get his mind working. "Gee, little brother, help me understand why a loving gawd would inflict someone with disease?" These sorts of questions may seem simple to you but asking them of an eleven year old may sow the seeds of doubt. Once doubt is sown, he will take it from there.
Tell your little brother that if there is a god and he is truly good, then this god does not need his worship in order for him to get into heaven. If there is a god and he does not let people into heaven because they do not worship him, then this god is just as bad as the devil.
Let him know that he has his whole life ahead of him that will be filled good things and bad things, but if he fulfills his life, then an afterlife won't matter to him because he will be happy no matter what.
Arent most of the africans killed by ebola christian converts. Why would unbelievers sin cause god to send a disease to hid newest buddies.
Also point out gods plan included disease so hes the one responsible if he was real and since hes responsible prayer is useless why would an omniscient being create a plan that includes disease knowing that believers will pray to avoid it and once he went through with the plan why would he change it for some insignificant human by the way he acts in the bible he does not give a toss about life.