What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

Zionism has come more into the spotlight, especially during conflict between Iran and Israel and the U.S. I do not wish to condemn Zionism. I think it can help to understand why one believes as they do. One has rights to any beliefs, as long as not encouraging violence toward others. I do condemn extremists that suggest their God sanctions the death of infidels or gays or violate the rights of women.

What is Zionism?

It is argued Jewish people should have their own nation in their historic homeland. Obviously, all people and religions have a right to exist. Claiming a historic homeland is unique. Someone use to own the land that I own now having paid cash. I did not forcefully take it away from the previous owner. Nations are different thought because conflicts are often settled with war. It is a tough argument to say all ownership should predate conflicts. We have a worldwide mess if going to claim land right are paramount to pre-war/conflict.

Why do Zionism believe in their unique claim to a historic homeland?

Right to existence is a no-brainer. Any other view is extremist. In Judaism the land is seen as promised to the Jewish people by God in their sacred, inspired Book by God (Hebrew Bible). Beside a desire for safety and self-determination, Zionists believe in a historic homeland because of ancient roots and religious significance. They believe the Bible is God’s promise/prophecy for their future.

I have argued it is likely prophecy doesn’t predict the future. I have claimed prophecy can’t be God knowing or predicting what happens in the future. God can’t know an undetermined future. It is likely prophecy is conditional to respect freedom. God warns what could happen if Israel rebels against God’s ways or to others that don’t respect God’s morality. See:  Does Prophecy In The Bible Really Predict The Future?

Believing in an inspired Book can lead to extremism

It is rarely admitted that it cannot be proved one’s sacred book is inspired by their God. We cannot prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers thought and recorded). There are extremists with any religion whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. If we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. Use common moral sense to understand God, rather than assuming biblical writers always understood God correctly. See Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible

The problem often is how supposed inspired texts by God or Supreme Being are interpreted. It is rarely admitted that our interpretative views of God according to the Bible or Koran could be right or wrong. I admit I could be wrong and always invite discussion. Some say God condemns gays according to the Bible, others interpret the same passages differently. We should always question interpretations, whether literature is inspired or not, since biblical scholars interpret differently the same passages.

Many Christians interpret Israel plays a role in biblical prophecy. One may believe to not follow how they interpret Scriptures is to disobey God’s supposed future plan. Many claim dogmatically that the Bible predicts future events such as what is happening in Israel currently and the end-times when Jesus returns down to earth. This can be a form of extremism, though far from inciting violence toward unbelievers.

Going forward

I understand many may especially support Israel for important military and intelligence reasons. Those who oppose giving Israel support should consider for America’s own protection. Many people’s views are often shaped by the media they consume. We should consider all opinions. We must encourage healthy debate. I suspect many may oppose supporting Israel over America’s own citizens for financial reasons.  We have enough financial problems without giving so much money away to other nations. I have some sympathy for this. When I have a choice, I am going to protect and support my family financially over other families. I don’t think that is totally selfish. A family or nation is often more capable of aiding others because they are strong and united. To support Israel solely based on biblical prophecy is misguided. No one can claim because “the Bible says so.”

Related Posts:

Why Are People Pro Israel?

Are We Living In Biblical End-times?

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

g

Whether you think God suffers, depends on your view of God. If you think God is unchangeable, you probably believe God can’t suffer. If you define God as relational than you probably can believe God does suffer. If God can’t know an unknown future, he may be surprised or experience the journey with us. See What Does God Know About The Future?

What does the Bible claim

Many get their view of God according to their interpretation of the Bible. I can’t say I get all my information about God just from the Bible. I don’t believe God controlled or dictated thoughts to the writers, so biblical writers/editors recorded what they believed about God.  There are verses that can imply God does suffer or God doesn’t suffer. Since I am inclined to believe God is relational – created with a purpose in mind – I will cite verses to suggest God does indeed suffer.

Genesis 6:6
“The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled

Hosea 11:8
“My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.”
God speaks like a parent in emotional turmoil over Israel’s rebellion.

Isaiah 63:9
“In all their distress he too was distressed…”
This suggests God is not distant

If you believe Jesus is the Son of God….

the idea of Jesus introduces God choosing to enter human experience, including suffering.

So how can we know what God is like

Why wouldn’t God be most like what our moral intuitions suggest. Our inborn sense of good and evil, not an ancient Book, tells us sexual abuse or murder is immoral. If a Creator exists, it is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. God’s love is surely the same as perfect human love. Only a perfectly good or loving God is worth believing in. Such a statement is nonsensical if we are clueless about perfect love. We can talk about perfect Godly love by comparing to perfect, human love. The Bible even suggest perfect human love and God’s love are the same. “Be perfect. therefor as you heavenly Parent is perfect )Mt 5:48). “Follow God’s example (Eph 5:1). We don’t always know what perfect love entails but we know the question we ought to ask ouselves – am I loving others perfectly aka as I am loving other like our Creator loves. Problems often begin when we wtray from common moral sense and don’t challenge our understanding from a supposed inspired Book.

There is a problem claiming the Bible is the definitively word on what God’s love is like. Ancient literature is subject to interpretation. Even if the writers understood their God perfectly, which we can’t prove, we can’t claim our interpretations are perfect. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for the Bible don’t agree what God thinks about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here. See here. See here.  Gays are supposedly condemned, women’s leadership roles are limited, despite their gifts and a fiery torturous afterlife awaits infidels – all in God’s name!

So what is true love when loved ones suffer

God’s love surely is the same as supreme parents – other-directed not self-consumed. Love gets excited when we do well and make a difference in the lives of others. Love anticipates, hopes for my success, believes in me, pulls for me even when failing, because I do the same for my children. Parents bring children into the world hoping their children freely reciprocate their love for authentic relationships. Why would God be any different. When my children suffer, I hurt. Why would God be any different about their children?

Why it matters

I’m convinced belief in a benevolent God, according to common moral intuitions, makes you kinder. We often treat others the way we think God treats us.  I guess fear God if helps to avoid consequences of destructive actions. But if struggling and need encouragement and mercy, a loving God awaits with open arms. If God can suffer, then suffering is not something God merely observes from far away. God understands grief and physical pain. The verse Jesus wept. (John 11:35) takes on a different meaning. It is easier to believe that hurting people matter to God. God may be seen as participating in redeeming suffering rather than ignoring it. If God suffers, evil is not something that God causes or simply allows or surely God would take away their own suffering. Grace or authoritativeness doesn’t guarantee change, but I believe we best change because of a friend’s or God’s love and acceptance. See It Matters If Your God Is Nurturing Or Authoritative!

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

If a child brings up the topic Hell, I would first ask a child what they have heard Hell is. It is hard to believe a loving God would create a place to torture those who didn’t believe while a short time here on earth. I personally don’t think God lights you on fire and doesn’t let the fire go out. The only reason one may believe in a literal Hell is because it is believed to be claimed to be real in a Book (Bible) that supposedly God inspired (controlled the writers having correct views of God written down). But it turns out the Bible can be interpreted to believe Hell is not a literal place. See here.

What do I tell adults about the afterlife?

First one must decide what they believe happens after one dies. One of the main topics in churches is about aiming for eternal life. There is an alternative view what Jesus said about eternal life that is not often taught. Jesus defined eternal life as beginning in the here and now (Jn 17:3), not what awaited in the afterlife. Jesus was asked by a religious leader how to have eternal life. (Lk.10:25-37). Jesus simply said to love God and your neighbor. Jesus answered as if “Eternal” appears to be on the quality not quantity in life. Jesus often spoke of a life worth living being a loving life empowered by God. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. The Bible/Jesus/God’s message isn’t dropping to your knees to avoid Hell to go to Heaven after death, but start loving now – a path toward great relationships. 

Few acknowledge the Bible might even declare all go to heaven

It is suggested by many religious leaders that according to the Bible some go to hell and some go to heaven, though doubtful a literal Hell exist. The problem is the Bible, being literature, requires interpretation. It is possible to interpret the Bible as claiming all eventually go to be with God after death.  See here.

We can’t know definitely about the afterlife. So, let your imagination wonder about a loving God/Creator. I am convinced Heaven is a place everyone goes after death here on earth to be with God if so desired. It’s what God wants. In case you don’t believe that, you tell your kid Santa Claus is real and surely you don’t believe that is true – overweight guy visits every house in the world in one night on a sled pulled by reindeers and goes down every chimney. You tell them they will always be safe flying, but you don’t know for sure their plane won’t crash. Tell kids what you think a loving Creator would plan for their creations. Or what would you do as a loving parent? See What Religion Goes To Heaven

So, why not live like Hell!

We are free to speculate what a loving God might do. Go ahead and live like Hell while here on earth! Careful the regrets you, your family, and friends will feel at the end of your life. God only seeks to influence you to avoid a life full of regrets. We are told the message of the Bible is Jesus coming to give you salvation to save you from Hell so you could enter Heaven. I believe Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself now. I seek influence from God in pursuing a life not full of regrets. Try it! It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us.  If you refuse to love, you may end up a lonely, regretful soul. There is a heavenly or hellish way to live life!

I wrote here my thoughts what to say to a child when they ask about Hell. See here.

Confession. I told my children some 35-40 years ago to say “this is not my father” when a stranger tries to take them away. I don’t think I would do the same today to not freak them out. My kids were not traumatized. It is now a joke in the family what Dad told them to do to be safe. What would I tell them now?

Every child is different. AI has good insights “what to tell a child about strangers.” Decide the best response for each child. Some kids are more sensitive than others to scary conversations. Part of parenting is to figure out the best advice for each child. Tailor your strategy to a specific age group (for example, 4–6, 7–9, or preteen)?

How to Start

After thinking about what each child needs, be sure to tell them not all strangers are bad, but children should be careful until a trusted adult says it’s okay to go with someone they don’t know. Encourage your child to always ask you when they aren’t sure. Of course, parents can’t always be around, so I would suggest to tell them never go off with anyone they don’t know. Maybe if forcefully taken, they can start yelling “this is not my father.”

There is no perfect answer, depending on each child’s sensitivity. Just think about best conversation to have depending on their age

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

There is a difference between Islam and Islamism. Islam is a religion. Islamists are influenced by Islam but Islamism is a political ideology that seeks to organize and control government. It matters if one’s beliefs are based on Islamist principles. Islamism in my opinion is not compatible with Christianity or can coexist.  Individuals must be asked specifically their below beliefs. Please don’t accuse me of being Islamophobic

I have written about my concerns regarding Christian nationalism. See here. I have written American was founded on Christian principles, but leaders should be careful in their language. The Founders believed in freedom of religion and beliefs. There is a difference in saying we are founded on Christian principles and we are a Christian nation. This seems to exclude all non-Christians. It boils down to how beliefs are acted on.

What is the main difference?

Allah had no son. Christianity claims Jesus was the Son of God. Christianity declares Jesus is what God is like. Readers have to decide who to follow. Allah or God and Jesus.

How is blasphemy treated?

Blasphemy means speaking disrespectfully about God or insulting sacred things. Leviticus 24:16 says someone who blasphemes God should be put to death in ancient Israel. But the New Testament shifts the focus from civil punishment to spiritual consequences. In most modern Christian-majority countries, blasphemy is not punished by law.

Islamism generally treats blasphemy as both a religious sin and a crime against the state. Because Islamism advocates for governments ruled by Sharia law, blasphemy is often treated as a criminal offense, not just a moral one. Even death for severe cases, particularly if the offender is seen as abandoning or attacking the faith. I am not aware Christianity having any such laws.

How to treat infidels

In Christianity, people who do not believe in the Christian faith are usually called unbelievers rather than “infidels.” The way Christianity views them comes mainly from the teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. They are seen as people that God loves. (Rom 5:8, John 3:16) I do not think any form of Christianity can be accused of deadly consequences based on beliefs or not granting freedom of belief on earth.

In Islamism non-Muslims may be allowed to live in society but with a different legal status in a state governed by Islamic law, though interpretations vary widely across movements. Shouts of “Death to Americans” don’t suggest coexistence is allowed according to Islamism.

Gays

Unfortunately, Christians are not united in claiming God does not condemn gays. Many refuse to admit the Bible can also be interpreted to not condemn monogamous same sex relationships. See here  But, at least Christianity cannot be accused of supporting death for those who are in same-sex relationships. Islamism consider that sodomy is considered a capital offense in Iran, where execution methods include public hangings. Many Muslims interpret Islamic teachings differently, but many Muslim governments support criminal penalties that can include fines, imprisonment, or death penalties. That is a severe difference rather than condemnation

And women

Unfortunately, Christians can be accused of women bias as much as Muslims. Sorry, any religion that requires women dress up to protect men’s eyes is anti-religion in my opinion. Men – control your own eyes. But then some Christians claim the Bible requires women submit to men’s authority in certain roles that men are not required ot submit to men. I doubt the Bible teaches that; I am not sure why any fair-minded person would think women can’t fulfill the same roles as men unless believing a Book about God teaches otherwise.

I doubt Paul, a main writer of the New Testament, was a bias against women. See here. Most agree not allowing equal roles because of skin color is immoral. Choosing who should lead the company based on gender is obviously bigotry. The most qualified or gifted should surely lead the company. Why not in church? Men in authority over women whether in public or private life is conducive for domestic abuse and the other atrocities women face at the hands of men. Give me an inch and I am tempted to take a mile! So, both religions suck and have extremists.

What about Violence

Many, but not all, Christians and Muslims, can be accused of advocating violence and possibly genocide. Most religions allow war in certain circumstances when fighting evil. The problem is extremist groups like ISIS can misuse Islamic language to justify violence. Christians aren’t necessarily off the hook. Some suggest the Old Testament advocates violence or genocide in certain circumstances. (I Samuel 15:1-5) It certainly seems that way. As discussed below the problem is whether one’s holy Book is inspired by God. If writers are portraying God accurately because God is controlling their thoughts, as opposed to sharing their own opinions of God, then most followers feel an obligation to follow in their God’s inspired footsteps. 

The problem with inspired Scriptures

There are extremists with any religion whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. The problem often is how supposed inspired texts by God are interpreted. It is rarely admitted that our interpretative views of God according to the Bible could be right or wrong. Some say God condemns gays according to the Bible, others interpret the same passages differently. Even if we could prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers thought and recorded), we should always question interpretations since biblical scholars interpret differently the same passages.

Supposed inspired interpretations by God or Allah can lead others away from God, because if a Supreme Being advocated a belief, most assume we are obligated to endorse and follow. I argued that if we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. Use common moral sense to understand God, rather than assuming writers never misunderstood God. See Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible

Final Thoughts

I believe those who claim Islam or Islamic as their beliefs would refer to themselves as Muslims. Those who claim Christianity as their religions would call themselves Christians. Not all Muslims or Christians hold the same above beliefs. Their beliefs should be questioned to discern what actions may follow. One may think I have been biased toward Christians reading the above. I do associate more with their heliefs than many Muslims. I believe Muslim beliefs are more extreme than Christian’s beliefs. Depends on their belief of their Holy Book and interpretation. Let’s have open discussion of personal beliefs.

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

I am not one to often recommend Bible stories. See Here my rants AGAINST the Bible. But, my wife found such a book that I felt comfortable recommending my kids read to my grandkids. She doesn’t have the same views of the Bible that I do. I really liked The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible

I wrote in the front of the Book a suggestion to explain to my grandchildren in ways they can understand before reading. I grew up in the institutional church for decades and this perspective was never shared with me.

Keep in mind Bible stories aren’t always literal stories but the writer used a short simple story to teach a moral lesson or truths about God. Or to illustrate ideas about life, behavior, or values. For example, the New Testament include parables – such as the Good Samaritan which teaches about kindness and helping others. It doesn’t matter if the story really happened.

(There really weren’t talking snakes in the Garden)

(God doesn’t really keep unbelievers alive and torture by fire after death. See 12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!)

We don’t have to know if the story is literal. Explain to your children the differences in stories. Instead of the writer stating the lesson directly, the story lets you figure it out. That is the fun part of reading Bible stories to children. Ask questions of your children “what do you think God or the Bible is trying to teach us?”

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

Certain religious groups (some Christians and some Islamic movements see the war in Iran and Middle East conflicts connected to end-time prophecies. Some rhetoric around the Iran conflict has referenced Armageddon and biblical prophecy. It is often that different religious groups interpret the Bible’s prophecies in different ways. The honest answer to the question asked in the title of this Post is that no one can definitively say we are living in the Biblical “end times.” It depends on your interpretation. How we answer this question matters. War decisions are made based on beliefs which lead to many lives lost.

Why is it likely prophecy doesn’t predict the future?

There are two basic views of prophecy in the Bible. That prophecy foretells future events that will happen or that prophecies are conditional. Whether they come true depends on the actions of nations. Prophecies may only be warning about future possibilities. Prophecies that aren’t conditional, on how people respond to God, imply God doesn’t respect the freedom to change. To be free, creatures must choose among possible options, having a say-so in choices. Even the Bible speaks often as if God doesn’t know the future. God hopes Israel would accept God’s guidance, but Israel often turned against God (i.e., Jer. 3:19-20). We don’t have to play mental gymnastics by assuming God is only pretending to not know future decisions.

Believing the world is coming to an end and somehow God is going to rescue you in the sky by a rapture can lead to passivity. We mustn’t wait on God to “fix” things by coming again. We must do all we can for the next generation!

A God who doesn’t knows the future is more relatable

It is natural to think an all-knowing, powerful God has special insights into future outcomes to avoid problems. But God can’t tell you if the person you want to marry won’t end up betraying you or the job you take won’t end up being phased out. A loving human or spiritual parent would warn their child if they knew ahead of time of heartbreaks. God isn’t hiding a “known” future for important decisions. God joins us in an open future.

When the Bible says God grieves with us in our suffering (Psalm 56:8), we can know God agonizes with us each step of the way and deters any suffering possible without violating freedoms or acting controlling. God joins us in our joys and sorrows in real time.

Biblical evidence of the end-times

Many make decisions believing they can usher in the end times. But there are two interpretations. There is some biblical evidence that the end times mentioned refer to what happened in the first century, thus having been fulfilled:

If the Bible teaches God is coming again to destroy the world in the future, why did Jesus tell his audience that supposed predictions about the world ending (maybe not a physical ending) would happen in their lifetime: “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass way until all these things have happened” (Mt. 24:34)?” Jesus said to his audience when asked about the last days: “watch out that no one deceives you….you will hear of wars and rumors of war (Mt. 24:4-6). Why would Jesus use such language if the world was going to end 2000 years and counting?

Jesus also gave an important warning: “No one knows the day or the hour.” (Matthew 24:36)

Our future 

Shouldn’t believers focus more on more on living faithfully than on trying to predict dates.We  must not make war and the loss of lives based on an interpretation of ancient literature. No one can claim their interpretation is correct.

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

I have always struggled with the bible verse: Ephesians 5:20 explicitly commands believers to give thanks “always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse emphasizes that gratitude should be a constant practice, acknowledging God’s goodness in all aspects of life. See other passages reinforcing this instruction:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18states, “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• 1 Timothy 4:4-5notes that everything God created is good and nothing is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving.
• Colossians 3:17instructs that whatever is done in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

I have always rejected these verses because  I ain’t thanking God for tragedies such as my brain cancer. I don’t have to assume God is in control of good and EVIL in this life. See  Why did God Allow This Tumor In My Brain – Update Of My Brain Cancer Journey I don’t believe for a second God allowed my brain cancer and not telling me the lesson I am supposed to learn from it. Or others about rape, abuse, murder of a love one, etc.

So, I’ll never got in habit in thanking God for everything as if God controls all events in our life, including the bad, as if God is supposedly in total control despite free will. See God Is Not All-Powerful Or In Total Control!

I have changed 

I have started mentally saying “thank you God” for the good stuff, even though I know God isn’t in total control. Even silly stuff. As you get older, you don’t want to fall. So, now when I trip but don’t splash, I thank God for that. Working in the yard, I forget something from getting up from the ground the porch deck is above my head, but I miss putting a huge knot on my head. I miss a near car crash, though I know God didn’t stop it. I have a lot of good fortunes in my life, but I will spare you. 

End results 

It’s not like God and I have drawn closer than already, but I do enjoy the communication and realizing I can be thankful to God for the good stuff, though God isn’t necessarily in control for either good or bad fortunate. So, I will keep thanking God all the good fortunate, and not thinking God causes or allows my misfortunes. My parents didn’t necessarily cause or intend all the blessings I gained from them, but I can still be thankful to my God and earthly parents.

Click on FOLLOW button on this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. I also blog at http://donewithreligion.com If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com  

Many rightly wonder if what Christian leaders claim about God is true. Who can blame them when God supposedly created a place such as Hell, to torture forever those who don’t believe in God a short time here on earth. In this Posts I will propose a question, which can paint one’s view of God, and then will provide a link what I have written before about the topic. I try to keep a page length with bold subtitles. It concerns a question about God that I wish people would be willing to discuss about God, so they could draw their own conclusions than what many Christians claim to be true about God.

The Bible/Jesus/God’s message isn’t dropping to your knees to avoid Hell to go to Heaven after death, but start loving now – a path toward great relationships.  God’s main desire is for you to avoid a life full of regrets. See below link:

What Is Main Message About Bible/Jesus That Christians Get Wrong?

I write a lot about this topic as I named my blog over 15 years ago  What God May Really Be Like  So I often revisit what God may really be like. I used the word “May” because I was countering dogmatism growing up in church. Who knows what God is really like unless God talks to you directly? I am claiming that if you are told something about God that goes against universal moral intuitions, question it – such as is a literal Hell real? There are many interpretations of the English word “Hell” in the Bible. Would a loving God really create a torturous afterlife place for unbelievers? Intuitively, the only God worth believing in must be perfectly loving and moral. We can only assume what love is by comparing to perfect human love.

God must be good intuitively! 

Many of us left organized religion, not God, because claims about God’s character was contrary to our deepest moral intuitions. It doesn’t make sense why a Creator wouldn’t love the same way we humans believe we were seemingly created by a Creator to love (aka goodness vs. evil). Even those who try to defend God’s violent ways in the Old Testament agree, or they wouldn’t attempt to rationalize why a supposed inspired/infallible Book by God reports bad actions contributed to God. We can’t always understand what perfect love is – to help a drug addict or let them hit bottom – but even the Bible assume we can understand God’s perfect love/goodness through human lens – “be perfect, as your heavenly God is perfect.” (Mt 5:48).

God can only be understood through “goodness” lens anyway

If God is bad or evil at times, we can only understand such actions by comparing/exploring what is good. If God was supposedly unloving, we can only pursue such knowledge by discussing what true love it. It seems we can only rely on human reasoning to decide what interpretation of the Bible is more likely, what are loving human actions toward others, or understanding what God’s love is like. 

How do we know what “good” is? 

Parents create/have children to be loved and teach how to love others. An existing Creator surely creates desiring to love and be loved. God surely love how we know parents should love their children. We all seem to know the question we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others perfectly? That is how God loves. We know how we should love and how God loves – are you loving others like you want to be loved? We may not always be certain the most loving action, unless my son or son-in laws mistreat women!  There is a reason anyone who justifies selfishness is often friendless.

Our inborn sense of good and evil, not an ancient Book, tells us sexual abuse or murder is immoral. Self-evident morals aren’t hidden in any Holy Book If one thinks their Creator loves contrary to universal moral intuitions (should infidels be destroyed in this life?), it is because of their interpretation of a supposed inspired Book by their God. When there is debate about laws we must have discussions.

Surely, perfect human love is the same as Godly love

The only God worth believing in must be perfectly loving as opposed to in any way hateful. God’s love surely is the same as supreme parents – other-directed not self-consumed. Love gets excited when we do well and make a difference in the lives of others. Love anticipates, hopes for my success, believes in me, pulls for me even when failing, because I do the same for my children. We doubt God but God still loves. Parents bring children into the world hoping their children freely reciprocate their love for authentic relationships. Why would God be any different.

Why wouldn’t God be most like what our moral intuitions suggest? 

God’s goodness isn’t just according to the Bible!

Ancient literature is subject to interpretation. Even if the writers understood their God perfectly, which we can’t prove, we can’t claim our interpretations are perfect. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for the Bible don’t agree what God thinks about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here. See here. See here.  Gays are supposedly condemned, women’s leadership roles are limited, despite their gifts and a fiery torturous afterlife awaits infidels – all in God’s name

A Book cannot be the sole determinate of what God is like since the same passages are subject to different interpretations. Also, the majority of people born in this world did not have a copy of the Bible. We are left to wonder how a Perfect God, the only God worth believing in, truly loves. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. We all seem to know the question we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others like I want to be loved. It isn’t presumptuous to imagine what a loving God is like though our moral consciences. See here.

 What was Jesus’ thoughts on God’s goodness or love? 

Many, including me, are convinced to understand Jesus is to understand God. It seems Jesus came to suggest salvation is a current life of love, not a future destination to avoid Hell. Jesus told the woman who had committed adultery: “go now, and leave your life of sin” (John 8). Where was Jesus’ evangelical spiel? Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37), since loving God leads to loving others. Jesus confronted the religious who kept laws but didn’t follow Jesus with their heart. Godly love surely seeks to empower us to be the unselfish people we deep down desire to be for a better world. See here.

Goodness or Godly love is exactly the same!

The Bible doesn’t always describe God in perfect human moral terms, so may God-believers resort to suggesting God’s actions are sometimes a mystery. Believers assume God must be perfectly good so rationalizations are made, since they assume the entire Bible is approved/inspired by God, They must explain why the Bible reports God acting violently or destructively. See 9 Reasons To Not Trust The Bible’s Claims About God! But a Book can’t be the definitive word about God since subject to different interpretations, and we can’t prove God always controlled what the writers understood and wrote about God.  

How you imagine God’s love can determine how you relate to God

• The truth is we can’t know definitely what an invisible God’s love is like. But the only God worth believing in loves perfectly. What is perfect love?
• I propose we can know what God’s perfect love is like but imagining what a perfect parent’s is like. We can’t always know what perfect love is – whether to let an addict hit bottom or force them into rehabilitation – but only the guilty don’t know sexual abuse or domestic violence is evil.
• If we think God is hard to please and pissed off about sin rather than what sin is doing to us, we may judge others just as harshly rather than showing patience and mercy
• If God is really a warlike God according to the OT, we will use such behaviors to possibly justify going to war when we should
• If God condemns gays, we will condemn gays out of devotion to God
• If God thinks men have authority over women in some positions, that will filter down to your wives, daughters, and friends and stifle their gifts.

I’m convinced belief in a benevolent God, according to common moral intuitions, makes you kinder. We often treat others the way we think God treats us.  How has God’s threats of punishment helped you break away from bad habits or behaviors you long to change? I guess fear God if helps to avoid consequences of destructive actions. But if struggling and need encouragement and mercy, a loving God awaits with open arms. Grace or authoritativeness doesn’t guarantee change, but I believe we best change because of a friend’s or God’s love and acceptance. See It Matters If Your God Is Nurturing Or Authoritative!