Allah, or God in English, created human beings with a specific purpose:
"And I did not create Jinn or men (for any other purpose), except that they should worship Me." (Quran 51:56)
To facilitate this, He chose from amongst humanity Messengers, to whom He revealed Scripture, to teach us how to fulfill our purpose in life:
"Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (of justice) that mankind may keep justice." (Quran 57:25)
"Messengers, as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers. And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise." (Quran 4:165)
Allah gave us all a limited amount of free will to determine the path that we take in life. We have a choice to follow His Commandments and fulfill our purpose, or to live a life contrary to the reason we've we've been created:
"By the soul and Him Who perfected it in proportion. Then He showed it what is wrong for it and what is right for it. Indeed he succeeds who purifies his own soul. And indeed he fails who corrupts his own soul." (Quran 91:7-10)
He will raise up everyone who has ever lived and them as to how much they fulfilled their purpose, examining every deed they have ever committed:
"That Day mankind will proceed in scattered groups that they may be shown their deeds. So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it." (Quran 99:6-8)
Those who strove to remain true to what they were created upon will be rewarded with everlasting bliss in Paradise, while those who ignored their purpose and followed their desires will be discarded to the Fire:
"Then for him who transgressed all bounds and preferred the life of this world, verily his abode will be the Hellfire. But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts; verily Paradise will be his abode." (Quran 79:37-41)
This is because this life is a period of examination. We are informed of the risks and consequences of our actions. There are many temptations and opportunities for us to fulfill our lusts, but we must never forget that we will be held accountable for the things we do in this life:
"Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?" (Quran 23:115)
He created the Fire with a specific purpose:
"Truly Hell is a place of ambush; a dwelling place for those who transgress." (Quran 78:21-22)
So yes, it is possible for Him to be Loving, Powerful, Merciful, Compassionate and still punish people in the Hellfire for disobedience. It is part of His Mercy that he gives us not only a trial period, but also He informs us there will be an examination, He sent Messengers and Scripture to show us how to pass, and He warned us of the consequences in great detail. So for anyone who chooses to follow a path to eternal suffering and torture, they have no one to blame but themselves.
Comments
http://www.godcontention.org/index.php?qid=317
According to you, we have *no* free will against which god could possibly "force" us to do anything. Indeed, according to you, *everything* that we do is caused by god. As I said, it's just silly and proof positive that you just make it up as you go along whether it makes any sense or not.
That was not a reference to my God. That was a reference to an impotent god.
My God forces people to do things against their will all the time. Reflex actions, for example. Involuntary activities. Falling down an open manhole. Being imprisoned. All kinds of things we don't choose to do.
He also gives us no "free" (uncaused) will, but rather a created (caused) will. He punishes humans for actions we do have control over, like those actions we choose to do of our own (created) will.
As far as I am currently aware, there is nothing morally wrong with Him punishing us for actions we do that we have not chosen to do, since, for something to be morally wrong, God must have decided it to be so. To my knowledge He has not decided that He Himself punishing us for unintentional wrongs is something morally wrong. If He has decided that, then I am certain He will not do it. If He has not decided it is morally wrong, then it is not morally wrong for Him to do it.
[continued]
Moral judgments are dependent upon Him. And He doesn't do anything that He has determined He morally should not do.
I'm not sure if this answers your question about what the "moral difference" is or not. I don't think I declared there was a "moral difference", so I'm not completely sure what you are referring to.
Do you believe man has "free" (uncaused) will?