User talk:SouthWriter/sandbox/An atheist's objections/@comment-1375165-20100707123111

Although I'm sure that SouthWriter has a literal interpretation to explain your problem, I can offer the less-literal argument against that opinion, Oerwinde.

Adam and Eve can be taken (though it doesn't have to be) as a story of the state of the human Soul. Being in the Garden can be considered as "one-ness" or closeness with God, which is Paradise. Being cast out of the garden is the soul being given a human body, being made mortal. Essentially its the Bible's way of saying that we all have an innate desire to return to the Garden, to be close with God.

The case with Jesus being required to die to "save" our souls is that humanity has reached the point (I can't even fathom as to what that means, understanding divine reasoning would be impossible) at which we can return to heaven.

This is only a guess though, as I doubt anyone could even hope to understand His will.

I think though Oerwinde, you're viewing God as being like some kind of Dictator, in the very sense of that word. Keep in mind, He doesn't think at all like a human does, or is even capable of thinking. Considering him like "Big Brother" or some malignant manipulator would be naive, He doesn't have desires and needs like humans do, he is literally beyond human comprehension.

But that is exactly the point in the story of Adam and Eve, humans wish to understand God, to return to Paradise. It's a goal that seems to only be attainable through death.

In any case, this is a very difficult point to explain, so I understand if what I've said comes out as a little absurd, or strange. There's just so much metaphysical baggage that comes with discussion like this, if you're not used to metaphysics and philosophy it can be a little off-putting.

Anyway, South, what do you have to say about this then?