There is definitely no loving God. Fact.

I don't normally get drawn into religious arguments but I have to say that I am completely with the OP on this one.

The concept of a deity doesn't work unless that deity is literally omnipotent - all-powerful in every sense. So to me that can only mean that if there is a God then he (she?) could intervene in the suffering of the weakest members of society if necessary. And I don't accept the argument that God needs us to take control of our own actions. If any of us saw someone hurting a child we would step in, not say "well I could do something about it but I'm not going to because I'm waiting for him to realise for himself that his actions are hurtful".

I grew up in a religeous household (in fact I have one ordained minister and several lay-preachers in my immediate family), but age and experience has turned me away from religion and that's the way it will stay, I think.

My thoughts too Harrigran.

God is supposed to be omnipotent and if this is so then he could stop wars, feed the starving and save children. If he is allowing vile things to happen to teach man a lesson then that sounds more like the work of the devil than God.

Some think we are made in his image if they believe he is uncaring, self centred, worship money and are all named Jack

I thought we were made in his image,

What a heartbreaking thing to hear and I can understand your reaction, Jingl, but without getting into the God/no God argument it is MAN who is evil, corrupt and vile.

So God must step in and stop the killing in Syria?

God must step in and stop fathers abusing their children

God must step in and feed children crying whilst they die from hunger

But man can keep on shooting and bombing, buying bigger houses whilst the homeless sleep on pavements . Sipping their wine with dinner whilst children starve. Turn up their central heating whilst people sleep in tents in camps

Nasty God

Did God shield him from the gunman?

He (if he's there) allowed him to suffer. Why should a tiny 6 year old be in fear for his life-to suffer the most abject terror? My heart was breaking for this small scrap of humanity.

Did God shoot the child ?

I have and I do Jings.