A question of faith

[GePap]

Given that there is nothing more fun that trying to stir up accrimonious debate, I had a question come up in my mind yesterday, specifically for any faithful monotheists on this board:

Lets say a person you have known well for several years, someone whom you know to be level-headed and steady, came to you and with complete conviction told you that God or some messanger from God had spoken to them and given them instructions to kill someone in order to save the world:

Would you believe this statement to be true? Why or why not?
If you believed it to be true, would you help him/her carry out their mission? Why or why not?
If you believed it to be false, would you act to stop them? Why or why not?

[Nostromo]

Depends if he or she can pull off a miracle or two, like making 10 000 000 dollars appear in my bank account

[Proteus_MST]

No problem,
I would tell him that god spoke to me and gave me the mission to stop him from doing it, because the voice he heard in his head wasn´t gods voice (or that from his messenger) but that of Satanas (or a demon)

[DaShi]

Depends on who he's going to kill.

[Elok]

Dubious. That sort of thing is sooooo Old Testament, not done anymore. That's either Satan talking or a psychotic episode. Probably the latter. Satan's current strategy appears to be more subtle.

EDIT: Also, when in doubt, consult a priest; it's their job to be helpful on this sort of thing. And "to save the world" sounds awfully grandiose for one man to accomplish. The most the Judges and such ever saved was Israel, and that was by whacking kings and generals.

I should add that it's Orthodox policy (insofar as such a decentralized church can have a policy) to regard all perceived visitations with suspicion. The first test of their genuineness is to examine the effect the visitation has had on yourself. If you're feeling proud, odds are very good it's a devil. If you're terrified and bewildered, it might be genuine. Really, though, you should give more specifics. Does the angel/voice mention WHY this person must die? E.G., "for he is oppressing my people?" Which person?

[Perfection]

Nope, wouldn't believe him.

[Dr Strangelove]

I'd tend to be suspicious. One has only to tune in to Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps to see that there are many phonies out there. Anyway, the law requires that I report something like that.

[Zkribbler]

God has already spoken on the subject: Thou shalt not kill.
I therefore would suspect the Voice belongs to an imposter.

[Blake]

They are delusional. End of story.

[Saras]

GePap, the philosopher, doing this...

[Jon Miller]

I would be very suspicious. Elok and Dr Strangelove give good views.

JM

[Deity Dude]

Was'nt this the plot of Frailty.

[Whaleboy]

Satan's current strategy appears to be more subtle.

What is Satan's current strategy?

[DaShi]

Hidden messages in Rock & Roll music when you play it backwards.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Whaleboy

What is Satan's current strategy?

I think it relates to materialism, apathy, and the like.

JM