Equal-Opportunity For Failure?

Jermyn Davidson · #1 03-13-2010, 03:42 PM

Does God provide people with the opportunity for failure?

I'm sure, all answers would be yes.

Is that opportunity for failure equal for all people, of all times, in every circumstance of historical record?

Was there ever a time where failure was expected, and thus, alright?

Religious and/or historical contexted answers please.

Jermyn Davidson · #2 03-13-2010, 03:46 PM

Another question: is there ever a time when it is simply, "your turn to fail?"

Baron1710 · #3 03-13-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Does God provide people with the opportunity for failure?

I'm sure, all answers would be yes.

Is that opportunity for failure equal for all people, of all times, in every circumstance of historical record?

Was there ever a time where failure was expected, and thus, alright?

Religious and/or historical contexted answers please.

Define failure.

RandyWayne · #4 03-13-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Does God provide people with the opportunity for failure?

I'm sure, all answers would be yes.

Is that opportunity for failure equal for all people, of all times, in every circumstance of historical record?

Was there ever a time where failure was expected, and thus, alright?

Religious and/or historical contexted answers please.

It is not equal because every single person in every single situation is different. Some people will simply have an easier (often MUCH easier) time in life then others. However, I have found that those who have bigger obstacles than others often ultimately perform better and overcome more. In the same way that exercise strengthens muscles, crisis, both minor and major, strengthen character.
I work in a very rich community here in Arizona where the parents and grand parents have done incredible things to make financial fortunes for their families. The children and grand children on the other hand of these people have very little chance for escaping the pitfalls that easy wealth brings. Good parenting in some cases helps but can only do so much. So you will have young black and white men raising themselves from property to experience success in some cases and young black and white men from VERY wealthy families in my area (you really have to see some of these homes!) being dead by age 21. We can all agree that the ones from this area grew up with easier lives.... but at what cost?

Jermyn Davidson · #5 03-13-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Define failure.

FAILURE DEFINED:

Inability of a person to keep up with the demands of life and, specifically, the inabilitiy of the person to function as expected within the confines of their social and/or spiritual norms.

Jermyn Davidson · #6 03-13-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

It is not equal because every single person in every single situation is different. Some people will simply have an easier (often MUCH easier) time in life then others. However, I have found that those who have bigger obstacles than others often ultimately perform better and overcome more. In the same way that exercise strengthens muscles, crisis, both minor and major, strengthen character.
I work in a very rich community here in Arizona where the parents and grand parents have done incredible things to make financial fortunes for their families. The children and grand children on the other hand of these people have very little chance for escaping the pitfalls that easy wealth brings. Good parenting in some cases helps but can only do so much. So you will have young black and white men raising themselves from property to experience success in some cases and young black and white men from VERY wealthy families in my area (you really have to see some of these homes!) being dead by age 21. We can all agree that the ones from this area grew up with easier lives.... but at what cost?

So the opportunity for failure is not equal?

Does the existence of an Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient GOD have any bearing on your conclusion?

RandyWayne · #7 03-13-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

So the opportunity for failure is not equal?

Does the existence of an Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient GOD have any bearing on your conclusion?

The opportunity is not equal.

As far as God's plan in this, I just don't know. I trust fully that He is in control but have no CLUE what His plans, motives, or reasons are. I've felt guilty praying for things in my life knowing that there are people all over the world (to escape America for a moment where the poorest among us are richer than the majority of Earths population) who are leading hellish existences.

A couple of years ago God performed a few miracles which allowed us to purchased our home. Now WHY was He willing do something like that for us while millions of children are starving in countries all over? We were VERY thankful for what He did for us, but again, I can only think that He knows exactly what He is doing when it comes to those who are literally dying..... <shaking head, thankful for His blessings what wondering about other injustices, especially among the truly innocent.>

Jermyn Davidson · #8 03-13-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

The opportunity is not equal.

As far as God's plan in this, I just don't know. I trust fully that He is in control but have no CLUE what His plans, motives, or reasons are. I've felt guilty praying for things in my life knowing that there are people all over the world (to escape America for a moment where the poorest among us are richer than the majority of Earths population) who are leading hellish existences.

A couple of years ago God performed a few miracles which allowed us to purchased our home. Now WHY was He willing do something like that for us while millions of children are starving in countries all over? We were VERY thankful for what He did for us, but again, I can only think that He knows exactly what He is doing.....

Randy,

I know God does miracles for His people. I know He does good things for heathens.

So do you believe God makes it easier, and thus, more acceptable, for many to fail?

Should we believe that, for some people, failure will be the rule and not the exception?

How?

Baron1710 · #9 03-13-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

FAILURE DEFINED:

Inability of a person to keep up with the demands of life and, specifically, the inabilitiy of the person to function as expected within the confines of their social and/or spiritual norms.

Whose expectations? Mom's? Dad's? Societies?

What is a spiritual and social norm?

A man who never makes more than $25,000 a year but is content with what he has may be seen by some as a failure others may see him as a huge success.

RandyWayne · #10 03-13-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Whose expectations? Mom's? Dad's? Societies?

What is a spiritual and social norm?

A man who never makes more than $25,000 a year but is content with what he has may be seen by some as a failure others may see him as a huge success.

This reminds me of the episode of Frasier where Woody (from Cheers) visits Dr Crane. Frasier feels bad for Woody in the sense that from his perspective he never did anything with his life and is leading a paycheck to paycheck hillbilly existence. It turns out Woody is happy with his life and actually feels sorry for Dr Crane and HIS life.
Granted, it is a lot funnier to actually watch the episode then reading my brief breakdown, but the lesson is there.