Twelfth live discussion Wed 16 November 2011, Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, Wilitshire.

I am greatly looking forward to our twelfth live discussion on Wednesday 16 November 2011 with sixth formers from Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, between 11.00 and 11.30am.

Have you ever doubted the existence of God?

Do you believe that GOD is benevolent even when there's so much evil and suffering in this world ?

Have you ever been divorced? Some Christians believe that divorce is wrong, but surely in some circumstances it's ok - for example violence in the marriage or just general unhappiness.

There's many religions in this world and in every religion their idea of GOD is different. Why do you think that the GOD who created this world has to be an Christian GOD ? Does this mean that the GODs that other religions worship are wrong?

God is described as benevolent, omnipresent, omnipotent omniscient etc. However, these are all human-constructed definitions of what God is like. Do you think it is possible that God could be completely different to our expectations?

Soem parts of the Bible are contradictory. Do you believe everything the Bible says?

How can Jesus be the son of God and Mary, when Mary is a virgin?

What are your views on homosexuality? Surely living in a multi-cultural society where the church is less influential on peoples beliefs has to affect how you feel about it? Do you think as times are changing that you are becoming more accepting towards it, and understand that it is a part of society - or do you feel just as opposed about it as ever? 

"GOD is all powerful, he knows what will happen, it's part of GOd's plan".

If GOD is this powerful then why can't he stop the evil that he can foresee ? For example : Shootings in school in America, killing innocent people .

Do you believe that God created the world? and if so, did he create it in 6 days?

In a rapidly changing world that is becoming increasingly interconnected by the means of Politics, Economics and Social interactions, do you believe that the Church of England, among the other Christian denominations should get even more involved in Global interactions to promote a peaceful co-existence between the other major religions of the world, finding ground that can solidify a bastion for further good work that inidividual religious charities already do?

Paul wrote: 'Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband has authority over his wife just as the Christ has authority over the Church.' (Ephesians 5:21) This implies that women are lesser than men. There are many stories in the Bible where females are very much the woman behind the central man in the story. However, the Bible also says, 'God created man in his own image... male and female, he created them.' (Genesis 1:27). This implies that all people are equal. How can two contrasting views exist in the Bible? Does this make you question the credibility of the Bible? Which view do you agree with?

When you think of God, what image do you have of him? Is he male or female?

If God is benevolent, omnipotent and omniscience, how can evil exist? does this prove that a christian God cannot exist?

Freedom to choose is given to man by God. Man has two main choices. Either accept the Love of God and, upon death, go to paradise for eternity, or Refuse God and, upon death, just die, be utterly damned. How is that freedom of choice when it is the same thing as a gun to your head?

Why do you think God lets evil exist? Do you think it is part of soul-making and evil makes us better people?

Do you believe that God is bound by time? Or that God is out of time? If He is out of time, can He come in and out of the at different points in time or does He stay out of it?

Do you beleive in all of God's attributes? If so, please just an explain the paradoxes between them, such as God being omnipotence but evil still being present in the world.

Do you think the Bible should be taken literally or metaphorically?

Is it possible for God to make an object too heavy to lift? Can he lift it?

The Bible says the Earth is between 6,000 and 8,000 years old, that it was created in 7 days, and that Man is made of dirt and Woman a piece of Man. Most churches today say that this is allegory. What passages of the Bible support it all being just allegory?

The Bible contradicts itself a few times, does this ever make you think the Bible is not completely truthful?

One of God's many attributes is being all good. However, in the Bible, the story of Abraham shows that God can make someone sacrifice their own son, and then stop him. It also says to stone homosexuals. If God cannot lie, how can he lie to Abraham? If he is all good, how can he say to stone homosexuals? How can he even allow Abraham to kill his own son? 

What do you think the purpose of mankind is?

Do you believe that God knows everything about our lives, past, present and future? If He knows the future, can he change things to make us avoid bad choices? Or does he leave that for us to decide with free will?

Do you believe abortion is wrong? What are your reasons for your answer?

Whats your reasoning for believing in the Christian God?

What do you think of Richard Dawkins?

There are two Genesis stories in the Bible suggesting on one story that he had a physical/active role in creating the world, and the other suggesting he just watched the process of creation whilst he commanded it. Do you think this to be a slighty contradiction? How can both be true? What are you thoughts?