Wow did you ever inadvertently make a great point here! Religion preys on simple minded folk. Those who are unable or unwilling to question popular belief. Think about yourself personally. Why are you religious? Because you parents were. They brought you up that way. When you are told something from birth, you of course believe it as an adult. Same reason why terrorists and suicide bombers believe they are doing god's work. They have been told this is what god wants them to do since birth. They know nothing else.
You are wrong. You are wrong about my family history, and I am not religious. Belief in God is not being religious.
Pure speculative (and wrong) bullshit. but thanks for trying. If you choose to not believe the resurrection story that's your choice.
How equally astonishing that you think your questions are unanswerable without claiming to be what you deny exists.
Agreed - belief in god is not being religious. I apologize, I worded my question/comment poorly. Am I not correct that your parents also believe in god, and have taught you to believe in god since birth?
I would argue that 95% of religious people have been fed this information by their parents since birth. I am pulling this number out of my ass but the point is that the vast majority of religious people don't know why they're religious - except that it's all they've known since birth. And I am absolutely 100% correct regarding terrorists and suicide bombers. Yes, it is my choice. Just as it is yours to believe. This does not prohibit me from arguing my position.
Evil is theoretically the opposite of Go(o)d, who knows no opposite. It would be like asking is Go(o)d willing to prevent an opposite to Self? You are presupposing evil. Omnipotent would mean there is no other power besides the power of Go(o)d...therefore, no opposition to Go(o)d (ie. evil). The concept of evil finds a loop-hole in the nature of Go(o)d. Go(o)d does not make or break barriers. This means that Go(o)d does not prevent the thinking of any kind of thought. It also means that if a thought contrary to Go(o)d is thought, Go(o)d will not oppose it, harass it, end it, or break it down by force. Thoughts contrary to Go(o)d may be called malevolent. Go(o)d is not obliged to respond to them or even recognize them. A malevolent thought, could, for example, be that Go(o)d is obliged to recognize it (a malevolent thought) and do something about it in the way of force. Go(o)d is able and willing to help that which thinks malevolent thoughts. Go(o)d does not term them malevolent thoughts since all malevolent thoughts are an expression of freedom (to do so). Go(o)d handles malevolent thoughts as a lack of communication and is willing and able to provide a way for communication to be restored. This is done by way of a "Teacher" who educates malevolent thinkers whenever they are ready to communicate. Evil comes from that which chooses to think unlike Go(o)d. All such thoughts are imaginary...and self-inflicted. Since Go(o)d gives equality to all within the domain of Go(o)d, that which thinks of evil - such as inequality - is treated as an equal in it's re-education. Stated another way, since Go(o)d gives omnipotence to all within the domain of Go(o)d, that which thinks of evil must be omnipotent...but not the evil thoughts themselves. The World of Go(o)d is populated by equals. All equals both have and are everything completely, sharing all attributes. Those attributes are perfect and never change. Evil thoughts are rooted in the wish to be different, unequal, and therefor special among equals One could call this "pride", to think to change the unchangeable. One could also call this "greed", to wish for more than everything. The problem with evil thinking is that it can't add anything to that which has everything and is already perfect. Therefore, to be different or special, it must take away from everything and its perfection, and contradict all of its attributes. The motive is not to contradict so much as it is to be different, special and autonomous rather than co-dependent on the whole. It must contradict by default. A world of "good and evil" is built entirely on the "evil" thoughts of one thinker. It represents an attempt to have both good/Go(o)d and the opposite of good/Go(o)d..."evil". In this way, it has everything...and more than everything! Yes, it's insane. In other words, it is something it does to itself, to it's own mind, with it's own thoughts. It does not change or affect Go(o)d. Malevolent thoughts are geared to paint Go(o)d into a box, or put Go(o)d in an impossible position. Once again, they hurt only the evil thinker, who does it to himself. A Teacher has been provided to that which has technically stopped communicating with Go(o)d. The malevolent thinker can avail himself of wisdom if he wishes, and wisdom will be available when the evil thinker is ready. The Teacher is able and willing to correct all of the evil thinkers erroneous errors of thought if the evil thinker will listen, heed, and practice correction methods. Every unique individual is complicit in the thinking of evil, or he would not be experiencing the experience of being unique (special). And having thought evil thoughts, every unique individual has lost his way in terms of what is true (no one is unequal to Go(o)d). As a rule of thumb, nothing an evil thinker thinks is true, and hurts him/herself as a result of ignorance. Ignorance is self-imposed in order to have an experience. The experience of evil is ultimately an expression of freedom, and can end whenever the evil thinker is ready to let go of the expression. Ultimately, there is only one thinker of evil. The appearance of many is an illusion (a self-deception). The many offer to each other the experience of evil/ignorance. They also provide each other with a target to blame. This keeps the game going. I might add/emphasize once again that Go(o)d will not get in the way of an evil thinker and the results of his thoughts (ignorance, pain, suffering). Go(o)d can and does offer a way to change one's thoughts, having provided a Teacher. The Teacher is, therefore, the "Savior". What is saved is the mind that imagines all that is untrue (evil). The Teacher treats the evil thinker as an equal (ie. with respect), thus restoring the nature of truth to its mind. Because of this, a true Teacher does not make commands or demands for obedience. A true Teacher merely works to get the evil thinker to realize that his thoughts are not in his best interest, and what he wants most is to think like Go(o)d, being equal to Go(o)d.
Well, in a way, one could use the appearance of evil as an argument for omnipotence. If it's true that a world of time/mass/diversity is made up of our own thoughts, and those thoughts aren't even legitimate, how much power would you estimate we have? I recommend doing research into the power of mind (over matter). The ultimate proof, however is going to be given the miracle-worker who consistently defies the laws of this world. The proof will be given to the miracle-worker first. As others follow, proof will be given them...as they work miracles.
My parents personal beliefs are irrelevant. I was taught to decide for myself what to believe... So you are clearly wrong on all of your guesses thus far...