What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

It is often assumed Jesus is speaking directly to you when recorded speaking to an audience in the Bible! Jesus’ words don’t always apply to every situation in one’s life 2000 years later. Jesus often used hyperbole for emphasis without stating exceptions: “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment”(Mt 5:22). Was Jesus subjecting himself to judgment when calling out religious hypocrites – “you blind fools” (Mt 23:17)? Sounds angry to me! God is mad as hell as you are in certain situations. Discern if your angry is what Jesus is addressing.

Did Jesus think we should always turn the other cheek?

Sermons are preached advising we must always “turn the other cheek” (Mt 5:39). Scholars have suggested a possible literal translation of Mt. 5:39 is “do not resist by evil means.” Nations can defend against evil dictators. We shouldn’t rape and torture those captured as some enemies do. Jesus isn’t advocating domestic violence if a woman is being abused by a man. There may be times to seek justice and others times to resist.

Did Jesus think we must always forgive?  

Jesus is often represented saying we must always forgive. Should we always forgive those who deny their evil actions? Isolation can bring one to their moral sense and prevent further abuses. Every situation is different. The Bible also says God forgives if we forgive others (Mt. 6:14-15). Forgive if they repent (Lk. 17:3). For some forgiving can cause feelings of further victimization and bitterness; for others forgiving can control bitterness and possible acts of revenge. God may not be as non-empathetic as thought. Seek the mind of God what actions in relationship difficulties lead to your best interest in a world full of disappointments. 

Did Jesus really condemn all religions? 

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Did Jesus really mean God only saves those who accept Jesus? Keep in mind the majority of people born into this world have never heard of Jesus or had a Bible. This verse could easily be interpreted to mean Jesus’ way of life is the best path toward God. The path to God is through love. (See God After Deconstruction, Oord/Fuller Chapter 9). We Christians need to be less condemning and more open to God’s love and message to people of all religions. 

How to read the Bible

Read the Bible to discern for yourselves, perhaps with the help of friends, what the application is in your circumstances. Consider how to go the extra mile. Consider what actions might possibly lead to reconciliation or change in hearts if others open. The Bible isn’t a question-and-answer Book. Besides, there are different opinions on meaning and application of the same passage. The Bible was never meant to be a rules book but for reflection in one’s circumstances. The Bible is valuable because it suggests handling certain circumstances from a spiritual than human perspective. It challenges us to a life of love and treating others like we want to be treated!

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No one can definitively say what exactly God’s love is like. Surely the only God worth believing in must be perfectly loving as opposed to in any way hateful. Isn’t it only intuitive to think that if there is a Creator, that a Creator loves the ways their creations should love one another. We all seem to know the question we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others perfectly. Surely, perfect human love is the same as Godly love. 

How handle different biblical opinions? 

A Book cannot be the sole determinate of what God’s love is like since ancient literature is subject to interpretation. Reasonable interpreters don’t agree that God in the Bible condemns gays, that God restricts the roles of women in religious institutions, that God condemns unbelievers in this life to a fiery, torturous existence in the afterlife. See here. See here. See here. We must handle our biblical differences without dogmatically claiming our interpretation is right. The question to ask is if you were in someone’s shoes (gay, woman, non-Christian), how would you want to be loved? Such thoughts should influence our interpretation. 

How handle different political opinions? 

Political differences are often handled similarly to biblical differences. We claim certainty, though there can be genuine debate, and we throw around labels such as heretic or conspiracist. Reasonable people don’t agree how to handle climate change challenges. The same with what is the most compassionate – an open or closed border. We must respect one’s another freedom to have their own opinion. Denying free expression of belief is playing Superior in the lives of others. A true debate of differing opinions, regardless if you think one is a heretic or conspiracist, is our best chance at arriving at the most caring decision for all concerned.

What was Jesus’ thoughts on God’s 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 seeks to empower us to be the unselfish people we deep down desire to be for a better world. See here.

Is human or godly love really a mystery? 

We all have yearnings to be treated how we seem to know how we ought to treat others. What reasonable or rational person doesn’t expect the golden rule from others in their own relationships. Our inborn sense of good and evil, not an ancient Book, tells us sexual abuse or murder is immoral. Many in the public arena throw out derogatory labels when others don’t share their same view on less than obvious universal truths. Try that in your personal relationships! People deep down know how to handle disagreements. Until we all ask ourselves “am I acting toward others like I want to be treated,” we are destined to fail.

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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  

Has the real Gospel been hijacked? Church folks have been told forever that Jesus’ life and death on the Cross was to spare us from going to Hell to appease God’s angry about our sins. Can human, much less spiritual relationships, be built on fear and angry rather than love and grace? No wonder many don’t want to talk to us God-folks. We are too busy trying to save them from a fiery afterlife rather than discussing how God’s presence in our life now helps us become more the person we desire to become deep down. Godly living in this world leads to a meaningful life with less regrets.  

Jesus’ message couldn’t be about avoiding Hell and getting into Heaven 

Many of us who attended the institutional church were taught that God’s main mission was to save us from hell so we could go to heaven after death here on earth. All we had to do was say a prayer: “Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to live for you.” I can find no place in the Bible where Jesus advised such a prayer or demanded certain confessions to follow Him. The Good News couldn’t be about escaping a fiery, torturous God if such a hell isn’t biblical. See here.

Did Jesus really die on the Cross to appease God’s anger?

Biblical scholars with interpretation expertise suggest many explanations about Jesus’ death. See here.  It seems to me that we may still be talking about Jesus’ life about love, because He was willing to die rather than power over others. Jesus’ death rather than His power has inspired billions to live unselfishly. Terrorists blow others up for a message they feel strongly about. Jesus only blew Himself up for a message He believed very strongly in – seek God’s help in loving others like you want to be loved.

• If Jesus had to die to appease God, why did Jesus pray to not have to die (Mt. 26:39)?
• How does an innocent person suffering really atone for another person’s sins? It doesn’t make “loving sense” to forgive a child by punishing another child.
• If Jesus’ death was required for forgiveness, why in the OT did God often forgive the Israelites? In the New Testament Jesus forgave others before dying on the Cross (Mt. 9:2; Lk. 7:48, etc.)

God cares the most about helping us to do good not evil in our relationships

Understand Jesus, understand God! Jesus didn’t speak of a certain prayer to repeat. Jesus commended Zacchaeus for recognizing a journey necessary to avoid personal destruction. Salvation is not a future destination but a currently reality (Lk 19). Jesus told the woman who had committed adultery: “go now, and leave your life of sin” (John 8). When 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). Loving God leads to loving others. Jesus hung with the despised to reveal God’s love for all. Jesus confronted the religious who kept laws but didn’t follow Jesus with their heart. Jesus sought changes of the heart for the good of the world.

How can God help us?

A relationship with God isn’t a future but current reality. Surely a loving God seeks to encourage us to pursue heavenly than worldly ways here on earth. God seeks to empower us to be the unselfish people we deep down desire to be. Maybe Jesus thought dying unjustly, rather than miraculously jumping off the Cross, revealed evil and God’s willingness to suffer with us and help. Who kills someone for simply claiming to be God? Many of us need to feel forgiven for the behaviors we have committed. God is dying to forgive you of wrong doing in hopes to inspire you to change for your interests and the interests of others.

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Acceptance of certain creeds or doctrines is often expected to join a church. They may concern whether the Bible is inspired by God, how one obtains salvation, afterlife beliefs, etc. This is why thousands of denominations exist in the Christian faith. Certain beliefs are declared important according to their interpretation of the Bible. I am convinced God would encourage only one doctrine. 

Jesus’ message was simply to love one another

Many agree to understand Jesus is to understand God. Jesus in his interactions didn’t seem to demand a certain prayer to repeat for salvation. Jesus in choosing disciples simply asked to follow him. They didn’t believe many of Jesus’ claims until after his resurrection. I am convinced Jesus came to advise how to start living here on earth, not what awaited in the afterlife, when asked how to have eternal life. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk10:25-37). Jesus understood loving God leads to loving your neighbor. One, if so inclined, can ask for God’s help in living a meaningful life here on earth. See here for more of Jesus’ interactions with others.  

What about women, gays, and Hell? 

It is assumed biblical scholars agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. They don’t! See here. See here. See here.  Ancient literature subject to interpretation cannot be the definitive word on truth. Gays are often condemned and women’s leadership roles are limited, despite their gifts, in God’s name. How would God love gays, women, or those of other religions? A Creator surely loves the way creatures intuitively think they ought to love. How to love others is the discussion, not one’s interpretation which may be wrong. 

Self-evident rights may be found in a Book or natural law, as we all have an inborn sense of good and evil. All rational being believe sexual abuse is evil. We can though have healthy debates what climate policies are for the greater good. We can share our personal beliefs in God and other matters in the public arena without implying we all agree what the most loving values are. Love is complicated sometimes. Freedom of beliefs is critical for such discussions.

Does one have to believe Jesus resurrected or was the Son of God?

I imagine most seek to convene together in a church building because of their belief in God and Jesus’ main message. Many may not be sure if Jesus was God in human form or God’s representative here on earth. I am convinced Jesus’ resurrection isn’t legend and has historical verification, but others may not. Jesus’ disciples didn’t believe Jesus when told he was coming back from the dead, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles beforehand, until witnessing with their own eyes. I would like to think many of us witnessing a man or woman coming back from the grave, after killed on a cross, would be convinced.  I have a hunch God cares the most that you believe in the possibility of a loving God to begin a faith journey.

How Christians can unite

Christians often hope others entertain the difference a personal relationship with God can make in one’s life. The way Christians act in loving others can be a distraction to this hope. Christians must forget any requirements of beliefs other than a desire to love others as they wish to be love. God can hold Their own in influencing others to consider God’s help in this journey. Let the discussions how to love begin without assuming you are right and others are wrong!

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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 want to believe in a God but not the God often claimed by Christians. I wrote here  why some don’t pursue God more or leave the institutional church but not God. I recently read Brian McLaren’s A New Kind Of Christianity who has extensive interactions and travels to opine on what is wrong with Christianity. Though written several years ago, his observations are still relevant and match some concerns I laid out. I believe there are three main concerns that are turning many away from God or the church. How the Bible or “Gospel” is explained leads to condemnation in God’s name against women, gays, other religions, etc.

How Should We View The Bible? 

Many Christians view the Bible as inspired by God, thus assuming everything claim about God by the writers is true. You may notice God isn’t always portrayed as loving. See here. Even if the writers always understood God perfectly, the truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t interpret/agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. Those differences concern billions of lives and turns many away from God. A Creator surely loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Biblical understandings should match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor. A supposed inspired Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. See here

What really Is The Gospel According To Jesus?

Christians are quick to quote the Apostle Paul, a main writer of the New Testament, on what the Gospel is: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23). Is the death referred to physical or spiritual? Was eternal life referring to a heaven and hell or a meaningful life beginning on earth. Jesus’ Gospel/words couldn’t be to save you from a fiery afterlife, as such a Hell is a myth according to the Bible. See here.

But what did Jesus say? Jesus didn’t speak of a certain prayer to get “in” with God. Turns out God is only dying to help if you want help. Don’t believe me! See some of Jesus’ interactions here. For example, when 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). Good luck if that was a requirement for salvation rather than loving guidance how to live with fewer regrets. Loving God leads to loving others. Christians are often too busy trying to save others from a non-existing fiery afterlife rather than discussing how God’s presence in our life now helps us become more the person we desire to become deep down. Godly living in this world leads to a meaningful life with less regrets. 

What does God really think of other Religions?

Related to our understanding of the Gospel if how we treat those of other Religions. We must have a new attitude of other religions to best represent God. The truth is the majority of people already born in this world died without any knowledge of the Bible or who Jesus was. The majority of people born adhere or reject the religion they were born into. Even the Bible suggests you aren’t judged on lack of knowledge but what you know and whether seeking evil or truth (Rom 2 – see verses 6-8). A God of love can’t be a God of chance!

How can we stop turning others away from God? 

The Bible is not a rules book but a book about God to be questioned. The Gospel is not about escaping from Hell because of a torturous God but whether to seek God’s help in loving others like you want to be loved. I think the only belief God cares about is loving others as you best know how, not different interpretations of the Bible or one’s sexual behaviors. The enemy isn’t other religions but those who are evil and seek to destroy themselves and others. Please consider the loving God I understand!

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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  

You may not notice some of the vilest claims in the Bible about God until you begin reading very closely. Leaders tout that God inspired/approved all written in the Bible, yet some actions contributed to God by the writers make no moral sense. Unfortunately, newcomers will be directed to read the Bible and be horrified reading about some of God’s supposed actions. Rationalizations are given to explain such actions about God to protect God’s inspiration of the Bible (writers understood God perfectly). I suggest instead considering if biblical writers always understood God correctly. Do the following passages really describe a loving God? There are hundreds. I will conclude by suggesting how to read the Bible without being revolted. 

Contradictions in the Bible

Contradictions are one reason to doubt God’s inspiration/oversight of the Bible. If God can raise the dead, God can obviously control transmissions of words supposedly given to the biblical writers – but God didn’t! The list of contradictions may be trivial but are sizable (See Gregory Boyd, Inspired Imperfection, Chapter 1):

• II Sam 24:1 says God incited David to sin; I Chr 21:1 blames it on Satan
• 2 Kgs 24:6 says Jehoiakim had a son; Jer 36:30 says Jehoiakim didn’t have a son to reign after him
• Does God take pleasure in destroying (Deut. 28:63), or does God take no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11)?
• Does God punish children for the sins of parents (Ex. 34:7; Num. 14:18), or does God never punish children for what parents do (Ezek. 18:20)?
• Matthew says Jeremiah rather than Zechariah spoke about the thirty pieces of silver (Mt 27:9-10. Zech 11:12-13)
• Did Jesus say the rooster would crow once after Peter’s three denials (Mt 26.34, Lk 22:34, John 13:38), or did the rooster crow twice (Mk 14:30)

Moral challenges concerning God’s character are much more disconcerting. I will cite only a few below that advocate violence or immoral actions in God’s name.

God supposedly kills an entire human race by drowning

“Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; human beings and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.” (Gen 7:23)

Keep in mind Genesis talks about a magical tree of good and evil and talking snakes. A Global Flood could be a literary device to illustrate the destructiveness of human versus God’s ways. Maybe the writers used an analogy of a Flood and drowning because their world view including God controlling the natural world. I might not read the Flood story to young children but wait to explain that God didn’t really drown practically the entire human race. Personally, I wouldn’t use a drowning analogy to portray God’s character. Not sure God would either!

God supposedly mandated death for cursing, gathering sticks, etc.

When it comes to many of the laws, the OT claims God spoke these words (Exodus 20:1). Biblical writers rarely claimed audible God-speak. “God said” recorded hundreds of times in the Bible is most likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God – right or wrong. How can we be sure the writers heard inner God’s voice correctly?

• Did God really mandate whoever curses their parents be put to death (Ex. 21:17)?
• Did God really mandate to death a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Num 15:32-36)?
• Did God really require death for adultery (Lev 20:10)? That’s a lot of bodies today
• Did God really command whoever does work on the Sabbath be put to death (Ex 31:15)?
• Did God really command death for those who blaspheme the name of the Lord (Lev 24:16)?

God supposedly approved a wife’s hand being cut off when grabbing a man’s genitals

“If two men are fighting and the wife….reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.” (Deut 25:11-12) 

A woman raped is forced to marry her rapist

“If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered…..He must marry the young women, for he has violated her.” (Deut 22:28-29)

Women were seen as property of the father or husband and she was no longer valuable (being a virgin) after being raped! Did God really approve a woman being required to marry her rapist as if this was a step up to protecting victims from a life of shun? 

God supposedly orders killing boys and non-virgins but sparing virgins for the warriors 

“Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.” (Num 31:17-18)

Did God really stay silent because the Israelites couldn’t handle the truth that requiring a woman to marry soldiers who killed their children and husband is evil? Sounds like men writers imagining God talking to them! 

God supposedly commanded genocide – all men, women, children, infants, and animals

“This is why the Lord Almighty says….Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them: put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” (I Sam 15:2-3) 

“Twelve thousand men and women fell that day – all the people of Ai. For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai. But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the Lord had instructed Joshua.” (Joshua 8:25-27) See also Joshua 10:28.

If you don’t think this is morally repulsive, how would you react if you read these same commands in the Koran?

A daughter is given as a reward for being victorious in Battle 

And Caleb said “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” (Josh 15:16)

Just in verse 13 the Lord was supposedly giving commands to Caleb. It is reasonable to think the writer assumed approval by God giving the daughter away. Why didn’t the writer at least mention God’s outcry to stop treating women as possessions and property. That is wrong regardless of culture norms as were civil right violations in America decades ago. I bet God was speaking up, but men in biblical times just weren’t listening as many Americans too in the past.

God will slay with thirst, have sex in public to shame, and then speak to her tenderly 

See Hosea 2: 1-14. I imagine this story was to illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, rather than God literally telling Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman. I doubt though God wanted to be portrayed slaying with thirst (v. 2), possibly have sex in public to shame her (v.10), and then act as if God can then start talking tenderly (v.14). I can think of better illustrations to portray a loving God. I got a hunch the writers were portraying how they perceived God.

God supposedly is arbitrary with justice

God kills Uzzah for putting his hand out to balance the Ark from falling (II Sam 6:7), yet God is silent when David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed. (2 Sam 11:14) Even in the New Testament God supposedly struck dead Ananias and Sapphira for lying how much money they donated to the church (Acts 5). Then, God is said to kill some for celebrating Communion without examining their heart. (I Cor.11:30). I would be dead!

How can we know God if not through the Bible 

Despite contradictions and moral challenges, many hold on to an inspired Bible for fear the Bible will be discarded for “whatever goes” in understanding God. A Book subject to interpretation cannot be the definitive word of what God is truly like. Biblical scholars interpret differently the same passages, and most of us don’t acknowledge our interpretation could be wrong. The challenge is many interpret their inspired Book as God being violent or advocating violence. This has led to imitating or justifying violence in the name of a perfect loving God.

Few believe God dictated the writers’ recordings. You certainly can’t prove God controlled the writers’ thoughts to always understand God perfectly. As mentioned “God said” is recorded hundreds of times in the Bible. This is likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God written down – right or wrong. We can’t prove the writers understood God perfectly other than taking their word by claiming they are inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17). That is circular reasoning. We were surely created to love the way the Creator loves. It isn’t presumptuous to imagine what a loving God is like though our moral consciences. See here.

Why should I bother to read the Bible?   

The Bible is God’s story beginning with Israel and culminating with the life of Jesus that we don’t possess in other documents. God may have inspired/encouraged the writers to write but didn’t necessarily approve of everything written about God. When reading the Bible, contemplate what a loving God is really like. Enjoy what God is trying to reveal to you about your Creator and how to treat others. Imagine if extremists had to consider that God didn’t inspire every word in their Book and had to openly discuss what a loving God is like. Interpretations about God’s love toward others, that don’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor, may be amiss. A Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. Questioning the Bible may lead to knowing God better!

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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 you read my weekly Posts, you know I write on this topic a lot. It’s just that I believe many have a misinformed view of what God is like which drives them away from God though they wish they had a closer relationship. This misinformation often come from Christians or their institutions. Since God doesn’t speak audibly to most of us, we are free to speculate what God must truly be like. Let me try to convince you that God is what your moral conscience tells you, unless you don’t believe in treating others like you want to be treated.

It’s not presumptuous to imagine what a loving God is like through our moral inclinations 

A Book cannot be the sole determinate of what God is like since scholars interpret the same passages differently. 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. If a Creator exists, 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 perfectly? Or am I loving others like I want to be loved.

Women, gays, and Hell 

A major reason many believe women can’t be leaders of men in the religion institutions or marriage is because their inspired Book says so. Many believe God condemns gays, though many of us have gay friends who feel no choice in being attracted to the same gender any more than straights can explain why attracted to the opposite gender. Many believe God orders the death of infidels, often by torture, in this life or the life to come after death. Most of us would not even do that to our worst enemies. I am convinced one of the main reasons rational folks have these beliefs is because they believe they owe their God allegiance because of a Book their God supposedly inspired. See here.

What about views we disagree on 

One main reason rational people don’t agree on many moral issues is because of their interpretation of their Holy Book. We must find ways to have conversations with one another, though we don’t have the same interpretations. There can be differences in views about God concerning women, gays, and Hell. We all must admit uncertainty in our views about what a loving God is like, unless it concerns universal morals such as sexual abuse, murder, etc. Concerning challenges such as immigration or climate actions, democratic societies have the advantage of the majority vote and who is chosen to make such decisions for us as a nation. Dictatorships of course only result in the powerful enforcing their views on the powerless.

What about those who don’t believe in a God? 

I’m convinced we all have internal “shoulds” how to treat others, whether by natural or spiritual influence. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in a Creator or not. You still expect me to treat you like I want to be treated. We all are accountable to the golden rule, whether you believe in a God or not. Extremists often believe others should be killed for being infidels, but they don’t want their loved one to be treated as such if others of different religion feel differently.

What to believe about God?

Don’t determine your view of God according to what others believe or claim but how you think you ought to treat others unless you are an extremist. Please stop being so certain if it doesn’t involve an almost universal belief. Have open discussions, share what you have in common, and try to discover the best action for the good of most.

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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  

Politics/science has joined organized religion in possessing an unfortunate quality. Spiritual and political discussions are important as they help guide our values as individuals or as a nation. Science discussions are important as health decisions are made such as responding to Covid. Freedom of personal beliefs is trampled upon by denying open debate. The truth is certainty doesn’t always exist. Climate debates are critical to decide the greatest human flourishing. Christian leaders claim God and the Bible condemns gays without acknowledging contrary biblical interpretations. We must recognize our fears that lead to denying or avoiding discussions. 

There are universal certainties not subject to debate 

No rational person argues that physical or sexual abuse is up for debate. Moral truths are not determined by a Book, popular opinion, or by a few in power. We all have an inborn sense of good and evil. Concerning non-universal matters such as immigration policies, we must have open discussions which laws are the most caring for the greater good. Most religions agree the overriding moral guide is to love others like you want to be loved. Belief or lack of belief in God doesn’t give you an excuse to not treat others like you want to be treated.

We fear consequences for sharing our beliefs

We may avoid discussions because we don’t have to take action if we don’t bother to consider believing differently. Being treated unjustly though may be a bigger fear. Both Republicans and Democrats in the past have denied the results of elections. You decide if there has been equal justice in this arena recently. Disagreeing with the perceived popular science narrative or disagreeing with church leadership about God’s character can lead to isolation or being blacklisted. Thriving societies must support individuals being allowed to form their own opinions without threats when universal agreement isn’t obvious. Why is one afraid to defend their view, if they know the “truth”?

We fear not fitting in

Groupthink is just human nature. Most humans desire to integrate with a group, get along with its members, and benefit from them. Discussing opposing beliefs can be uncomfortable. The loner must fend for himself. It’s extremely difficult to acquire or achieve anything all by oneself. If you leave your group, your options are limited to joining the opposing group or being alone. For most of us, neither option is appealing. Being your own person is a tough business.

We fear loss of security

Threats of losing your job are undeniable due to the assault on freedom of one’s opinion. One may not oppose censoring activities for fear losing their livelihood because they disagree with the popular, uncertain narrative. In politics differing with the popular opinion might not lead to reelection. Pastors risk being kicked out of the pulpit. It is a human right to disagree if one is not inciting physical violence toward others. I am convinced racism is evil (that blacks are an inferior race), but I must debate those who are free to disagree. I will win the debate!

Fear of liability 

Many pushed for mandates for the Covid Shots because they believe in what authorities were telling them. The claim that the Shots stopped infection and transmission turned out to be false. It is understandable to believe authority figures are telling you the truth initially, but there is no excuse for continuing to deny evidences that has come forth. Worse, if one knew the truth from the beginning and yet still pushed a lie, they rightly should fear liability and be held accountable. We seem to have lost sight that it isn’t real science if there isn’t debate – science is ever evolving.

Fear of loss of power and control

Unfortunately, many fear not only losing their job but losing control and power. It doesn’t matter if you think you are right and doing what is best for the good of the land. Certainty is an illusion unless talking about universal evil such as rape or incest. Try claiming certainty in your personal relationships. If married you are probably headed toward divorce. Individuals must have the freedom to decide what is the best decision for themselves, or the powerful rule the powerless. Individual freedom is a higher principle than lording over others what you “think” is right. You may be wrong! Control and power flourish when others are not allowed to discuss alternative opinions. One way to judge one’s motive is to demand answers for refusing to debate. If one is sure they are right for the good of all, why fear convincing others in the public arena?

Fear of uncertainty

Certainty rather than uncertainty is more comforting psychologically. One may believe what seems to be the popular narrative because unknowing can lead to anxiety. One can avoid anxiety by not discussing their beliefs with others who believe differently. For one to question a main belief they have been taught in church all their life, such as if Hell is real, can create anxiety about what other beliefs may be questionable. Also, uncertainty is often viewed as doubting, which is frowned upon in Christian circles. Similarly, questioning the uncertainty if the Covid shots are safe and effective, if we have gotten the shots, can raised anxiety and fear about our health.

We fear lack of civility

Disagreements are normal in relationships. We must talk to others like we want to be talked to. We must control our emotions. We can’t have discussions with those who are rude or close-minded. We can’t always prove what we believe is true about God. We can’t claim without debate if our climate control measures are best for the most human flourishing. We all must discuss differences calmly, accepting that misinformation isn’t opinions that don’t agree with your own. 

Imagine a world….

• If we were open to defending our beliefs civilly

• If we closely guarded one’s freedom to choose when the possibility exist you could be wrong

• If we stopped calling those who disagreed with us heretics or conspiracists

• If politicians encouraged open discussions to better discern together the greatest good for all

• If Christians didn’t always claim their biblical interpretation is correct

When one does not respect your individual freedom to believe as you think best, there can be no discussion. Anyone who threatens to end a relationship because of a difference of opinion is not worthy of your friendship. Confrontation must sometimes take place with friends for one’s silence can be harmful to others; politicians must be voted out; one may have to discover new places for spiritual growth besides their current place of worship.

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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 wrote here why people possibly deconvert though at one time having faith in God. Many Christian leaders imply those leaving the institutional church are leaving God. DONES are often deconverting from religion not God! One does not have to be involved in a regular Christian community to be a God-follower. I wrote here  why I left the religious institution not God. There are many advantages to being a part of a group of people who seek to encourage one another about God. But many of us had to leave the building!

What are some emotional reasons people leave the building? 

Packard has done much of the research. Many leave the building due to observed lack of responsible stewardship. 60% of the budget went toward the 90-minute show without serving better those outside the building. Many leave because being preached at doesn’t allow meaningful dialogue. Being so damn certain all the time is hardly relational, especially when even scholars disagree what the Bible says about issues impacting the lives of so many people. Many felt the lack of grace. People weren’t looking to excuse their moral failures, but why can’t we focus less on sexual behaviors and more on the poor, homeless, etc. Who is perfect! People leave for many reasons including abuse by leadership. 

People leave for the same intellectual reason others leave the faith all-together 

A major factor in leaving the building or God all together is because of views claimed about God.  God according to the Bible supposedly condemns gays, burns unbelievers in the afterlife, and thinks women can fulfill the same roles as men though just as gifted. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here.  See here.  See here.  It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Biblical interpretations that don’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor may be amiss.

Another major intellectual reason is due to certain explanations given for the presence of evil and suffering in our world despite there being a God. It is understandable why many can’t believe in a supposedly, all-powerful God who standbys while one is being raped, tortured, murdered, abused, etc. What kind of parent or God stands by and not intervene when they could prevent such suffering? Maybe a perfect, loving God can’t be controlling just as they can’t be manipulative. Maybe God can’t intervene single-handedly without human help. See Thomas Oord. The alternative is that God can always stop your suffering and doesn’t, or that God arbitrarily stops other’s sufferings sometimes but not yours. I doubt it! 

Going forward 

In the Bible “Church” was not a building or a place attended once a week. Jesus referred to His followers as being the Church and to encourage and care for one another.  The Bible doesn’t tell the Church to go to church.  Jesus said “Where two or more are gathered in His name” God would be present. Jesus did not specify where they must gather, what they must do or how they must do it. Simply find environments to encourage and be encouraged to radically love as Jesus did. Personally, in the church if I opened my mouth about disagreements about leadership’s views of what a loving God is like, I felt I was being divisive and pulling others down. I am comfortable disagreeing, but I am not looking to force my views on others. Our relationship with God isn’t about an institution or day of the week. It’s a daily, hourly relationship.

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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  

Christians are more familiar with the term “deconstructing” from the Christian faith. I am not writing about those who aren’t done with God just religion. I have in mind those who stop believing in God, or God becomes much less a part of one’s life despite belief in God. Such people may have attended church or a religious institute regularly at some time, while others may have rarely or never entered a church door but are inclined to believe in God. Why are many moving away from God though desiring a relationship?

Why are some inclined to pursue God or not? 

Christians especially are guilty of implying those who don’t believe in or stop pursuing God are suppressing what they know to be true. I disagree. I suppose some deny there is a God to justify their evil ways, but those I know not into God as much as me are just as moral if not more than I am.  Let’s not accuse those who believe in a God as needing a crutch or accuse those who question the reality of an invisible God as being wicked and ignorant of their feelings.

Many people do or don’t purse God, or rebel against God, because of the family they are born in. I am not sure I would be pursuing God if my parents hadn’t encouraged it. Some by personality are more skeptical or accepting. I am sure many don’t pursue God for obvious emotional reasons. A child abused by their father may struggle to accept a God betrayed as our Father in Heaven. Many are turned away from God because of the hypocrisy of God-following friends or leaders.

What may be the main intellectual reasons leaving a belief in God?   

One’s view of God is critical in their journey. See here. I am convinced a major factor in deconverting or moving away from God is because of views claimed about God. It is claimed the Bible supposedly says that God condemns gays, God burns unbelievers in the afterlife, and God doesn’t think women can fulfill the same roles as men though just as gifted. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here.  See here.  See here.

Another major intellectual reason is due to certain explanations given for the presence of evil and suffering in our world despite there being a God. It is understandable why many can’t believe in a supposedly, all-powerful God who standbys while one is being raped, tortured, murdered, abused, etc. What kind of parent or God doesn’t intervene when they could prevent such suffering? Maybe a perfect, loving God can’t be controlling just as they can’t be manipulative. Maybe God can’t intervene single-handedly without human help. See Thomas Oord. The alternative is that God can always stop your suffering and doesn’t, or that God arbitrarily stops other’s sufferings sometimes but not yours. I am convinced there are better explanations.

Why we must stop claiming the Bible is inspired!

Inspiration suggests God’s approval. Keep in mind we can’t prove God controlled every thought or word written by the biblical author. God didn’t dictate the Bible to others. Stating as proof that the writers claimed such inspiration is circular reasoning. The truth is that even if our interpretations were infallible, we can’t be sure the biblical writers always knew or portrayed God accurately. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Biblical interpretations, or a biblical writer’s understanding about God, that doesn’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor may be amiss. A supposed inspired Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. See here.

Pursing God is about following God, not adhering to certain beliefs 

We are often told the main message of the Bible is Jesus coming to give you salvation to save you from Hell so you could enter Heaven. Common understandings of Hell aren’t necessarily biblical, thus how could this be Jesus’ central message? See here. When Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life, which surely implies salvation, Jesus spoke of how to start living here on earth not what awaited in the afterlife. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. You don’t have to drop to your knees and say a prayer to get “in” with God. You only have to want God’s help. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. Personally, I am convinced there is a God and my relationship with God has inspired and encouraged me to be the person I desire to be.

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of 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