Optimism vs. Pessimism

Why an Earth at all? - Great question, I hadn't extended my thoughts that far, but the question makes me feel that life on Earth is even more of a test.

You wrote:

Life might very well be a test. Or it might be an opportunity.

Could it be "both at the same time"? So maybe an "or" but not a "xor"?

You statement reminds me of the question about the glass being half empty or half full. Those that view life as an opportunity see the existence of the Earth as the glass being half full, those that view life as a test see the existence of the Earth as the glass being half empty? Whereas the "truth" of the matter is that we will probably hold both of these views at different times in our lives. In fact, we will probably hold both of these views at the same time due to the fact that our brains are quantum mechanical in nature and are thus allowed to have superimposed states.

Even the poorest, born physically handicapped, abused and killed child can have hope at some point in their sorry life, but why that child should be so - what is ithe word - "unlucky?" and another be born to say a king or queen says to me that this life is a test. My thinking now says that there can be no other reason, if there is a reason at all. After all, these evil (lack of good) things could have been avoided if we just had a Heaven, and we would not have lost anything, because anything good that comes out of this World could have also come out of Heaven, and magnified in glory an infinite amount to boot.

God allows bad things for a reason - his reasons are way above us - I consider it a mistake to think of Him as all-benevolent and all-good in the traditional sense that we think of goodness, but I am optimistic that it will all turn out ok in the end thanks to Him. Maybe that optimism is the test - no matter what all the bad things are, stay focussed that God is good and right and keep to the Golden Rule.

So what were your thoughts on the fireside debate topics justice/mercy and pleasure/happinesss?

Have fun in Canada buddy !