[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

965.0. "Random chance" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Crossfire) Fri Sep 09 1994 02:00

Where does random chance fit in your theology, your belief system?

Shalom,
Richard

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
965.1randomness isn't totally randomLGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (DTN 297-5780, MRO3-3/L16)Fri Sep 09 1994 13:0414
re Note 965.0 by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE:

> Where does random chance fit in your theology, your belief system?

        I have no particular belief in random chance, but I do
        believe it happens.

        (However, inspired by recent theories of chaos, I do consider
        that the distributions of differing random situations do
        differ, and that the form of the distribution can have a
        significant bearing on the outcomes of large numbers of such
        events.  What sets the shapes?)

        Bob
965.2TINCUP::BITTROLFFCreator of Buzzword Compliant SystemsFri Sep 09 1994 15:313
Random chance *IS* my theology :^)

Steve
965.3Ways of thinking about random chanceCSC32::J_CHRISTIECrossfireFri Sep 09 1994 20:3512
    I got to thinking about this from something said on a sitcom called
    "Dave's World" the other night.
    
    When it comes to getting hit by lightning, we tend to scoff at the odds
    and to think, "It's more likely to happen to someone else."  Ironically,
    when we think about winning the lottery, we figure, "Well, it has to
    happen to *someone*!  Why not me!?"
    
    :-)!
    
    Richard
    
965.4Randomness in God's waysCSC32::J_CHRISTIECrossfireSat Sep 10 1994 21:1510
Matthew 5:45 seems to imply a sense of randomness in Jesus' teaching about
the ways of God.

(Jesus speaking)  "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in
heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." [KJV]

Shalom,
Richard

965.5USAT05::BENSONThu Sep 15 1994 18:304
    
    .4
    
    It seems that certainty is what is emphasized, not randomness.
965.6CSC32::J_CHRISTIECrossfireThu Sep 15 1994 19:048
    .5  Certainty and uncertainty both, if you think about it.
    
    However, there's also John 3.8 implying some degree of randomness
    in the ways of God.
    
    (Someday I've gotta explore the psychology behind omitting a signature
    name in Notes)
    
965.7A parable found on an Easter greetings cardCSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireWed Mar 15 1995 15:2730
An Easter Tale
--------------

	Once there was a perky little egg who dreamed of being
		chosen the best decorated Easter egg.

	Oh, he knew it was an ambitious and lofty dream, yet every
		day Little Egg worked diligently at
	perfecting his shape and color so he would be more
		desirable.

	As the Easter egg chosing day came nearer, Little Egg grew
		tense and more obsessed than ever.

	Finally, the Easter Bunny arrived to make his selection.

	When he glance toward Little Egg, there was a glint of
		admiration in his eye.

	He reached across rows and rows of inferior eggs to where
		Little Egg was trembling with anticipation.

	Just as the Easter Bunny was marvelling at Little Egg's perfection,
		he sneezed, and Little Egg splattered
			inconsequentially
				to the floor.

		Them's the breaks.