Bingowings said:

thejediknighthusezni said:

I suppose there is a great difference between a cop who hides his car behind a bush to catch wrongdoers and a sociologist who puts up a sign seeking compliance in order to test the character of individuals and the culture at large.

If God can see past, present and future simultaneously, The Being is at once knowing and learning.

It's a very silly God that makes laws he knows will be broken and then plays cop, judge, jury and executioner.

I'm not saying such a God is implausible, a lot of work goes into make the Grand Theft Auto series and I dare say enjoyment is derived from them but that does make us little more than an entertainment.

Granted, it's an imperfect analogy.

God is under no obligation to be an objective observer.

Every test is a game and every game is a test. Novelty produces the most interesting results in entertainment as well as "science".

The school districts that sponsor team sports might have a "scientific" interest in the outcomes of these competitions, feel entertained by the spectacle, and care a great deal that the children practice good sportsmanship and avoid hurting each other.