What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

What Is The Greatest Advantage Believing In God If So Inclined?

Some may be on the fence with an inclination to believe in a God. Faith is common in life. We do our due diligence getting a babysitter, but we can’t know for sure they won’t bring harm to our child. We think getting on a plane is safe but we don’t know we will land safely. Believing isn’t always seeing as obviously we cannot prove there is a God or there isn’t a God. I am convinced belief in God and taking action on such a belief is worth the journey.

Belief in God can provide a meaning and purpose in life is the greatest advantage!

Goals are important in embarking upon an achievement. If you want a certain job, you have to purposefully get the right education and experience. If you want to make a sports team, you have to have a plan for training and getting better. What do we all hope for at the end of our life? I recently had a friend pass away. This man was an inspiration in the life he lived – not the possessions he obtained but the relationships he maintained. Pursing a long-lasting reputation in relationships leads to few regrets. This is the goal in life God’s influence can help you achieved.

Jesus’ message for living

When Jesus was asked what were the greatest commandments or how to have eternal life, He didn’t say drop to your knees and say a certain prayer. He simply said to love God and your neighbor as yourself (Lk.10:25-37; Mt. 22:37-40). God isn’t full of themselves. A perfect, loving God – the only God worth believing in – knows loving God leads to loving others to the fullest. Strive to love others like you want to be loved. God is dying to help you have fewer relational regrets by living a purposeful life.

Don’t major on the minors

Love should be the only doctrine or creed of a church; instead, they divide over what they think the Bible teaches about women, gays, hell, heaven, the Bible, etc. They fail to realize that the Bible requires interpretation which doesn’t guarantee certainty of their stance. We should focus on loving the gays or followers of different religions as we want to be loved. That is more the discussion than what the Bible may or may not say. Have open conversations than claiming to know what God thinks according to your interpretation of a Book. I rather try that approach than cause all the divisions we have among those who supposedly believe in God.

What is a relationship with God like?

Many may not pursue a closer relationship with a God they are inclined to believe in because of what they have heard from others what God is like. Don’t believe everything you hear! God only seeks to love you like you wish you were always able to love others. We all have great parents or at least wish our parents had better loved us in certain ways. This is the God you can believe in and setting out to live a purposeful, meaningful live.

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  

What Does God Consider Sin?

Jesus was asked what was the most important law by a religious-type (Mark 12:28-34). Religion-keepers try to stay in power by declaring their rules are God’s rules. Jesus simply said to love God and love others as yourself. Jesus wasn’t demanding belief in God as much as simply illustrating loving God is loving others like you want to be loved. Jesus wasn’t saying what hoops to jump through to be loved with God. Why then would Jesus suggest a law most of us fail often – loving others like we want to be loved? Jesus was encouraging a lifestyle to pursue with God’s help.

Sin is that which harms you or someone else

What does God desire the most from us? God only seeks what we deep down desires for ourselves – to love others as we wish to be love. The question isn’t what rules does God demand to be in good-standing with God. In our circumstances we should ask “am I harming myself or am I harming others with my actions.” If it not good for you or others, then it is sin. God only wishes to steer us in the right direction.

It isn’t always easy knowing what the most loving action is

Disciples wanted Jesus to tell them when divorce was right and when divorce was wrong. Jesus didn’t give them a set of rules to go by. In relational difficulties we need to ask ourselves what is the most loving action in our circumstances. Sometimes, divorce may be best due to irreconcible differences. It does take two to tango. The question isn’t if God opposes gays. If you had attractions to those of the same sex that you could no more control than those who have desires for the opposite sex, how would you want to be loved?

The same question applies whether to forgive someone. Many who have done great harm to others often don’t admit their guilt. Does forgiving such a person do the victim or the guilty any good. Again, the question is “what is the more loving action to take under the circumstances that will do the least harm to ourselves and others.” Easy forgiveness without admitting guilt can lead to others being victimized. See here.

What is a relationship with God like? 

God isn’t always looking to condemn you or catch you breaking some rule. God simply seeks to influence you to consider what is the most loving action to take for yourself and others. We can’t just open the Bible or any book and find which rule to keep. Biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, and other issues. See here.  See here.  God didn’t create to simply be told how great they are. God created for the same reason parents want children. God is seeking someone to love, to be a friend, and God seeks to help us make a positive contribution in the world by being kind to others.  Just like any loving parent would!

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  

What Beliefs Are Required To Gain God’s Favor?

Spoiler alert! No beliefs are required to engage with God unless you are the Devil! It seems to me if God is real, God can work with individuals in their own journey.  Hang in there with me since many readers have heard otherwise according to the Bible. How long a leash does God give? As long as it takes or God isn’t very patient, and a worse parent than I am with my kids.

What you don’t have to believe! 

It is claimed God condemns gays though who would intentionally choose a lifestyle that invites condemnation and discrimination. We are told God doesn’t want women fulfilling supposed “manly” roles though that only leads to favoritism and abuse. We are told God is a hellish, sadistic torturer according to beliefs while here on earth, but even humans wouldn’t create Hell for their worse enemies. Many claim to be so certain about God according to the Bible, but biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, and hell, and other moral issues. See here.  See here.  See here.  We don’t need a Book to know murder, sexual abuse, stealing, lying, etc. are wrong.

Don’t I have to forgive my abuser? 

Forgiveness of others is often the central theme of the Christian faith. Many are turned away from God because claimed God requires we forgive our abuser, despite their refusal to admit any wrongdoing. For some forgiving despite lack of remorse can control bitterness. For others to forgive despite lack of remorse can cause feelings of further victimization and bitterness. Those hurt must seek the mind of God what actions in relationships are in your best interest in a world full of tragedies. You may discover God is empathetic! The Bible is not a rules book for every situation. The Bible says don’t lie, but should we lie if protecting Jews from Nazi extinction? Restitution may not be possible despite forgiveness. Be weary when the guilty start making the rules and demand to just move on.  See here.

Surely God requires eventually the sinner’s prayer?

The sinner’s prayer to avoid Hell isn’t in the Bible. When Jesus interacted with a woman caught in adultery, He first stopped the crowd’s stoning attempts. Then, Jesus simply told the woman “go now, and leave your life of sin” (John 8). Pretty good advice. Didn’t Jesus have a better evangelical spiel in case He never saw the woman again? Jesus seemed on a difference mission according to the Bible than simply avoiding Hell.  See here

Don’t I have to believe Jesus was God in person and resurrected? 

I am not sure if Jesus was God in human form or God’s representative here on earth. Jesus did seem to have a lot in common what seems true about a loving God. Many may have stopped reading. It gets worse.  I am convinced Jesus’ resurrection isn’t legend and has solid historical verification, but others may not. Jesus told followers He was coming back from the dead and they didn’t believe Him despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles beforehand. They only believed after seeing Jesus resurrected with their own eyes. I would like to think more of us if we witness a man or woman coming back from the grave, after killed on a cross, would be convinced. You may have to believe in the possibility of a God to begin a faith journey, but don’t let doubts you have prevent taking steps toward God.  

How can we really know what God is like and expects? 

Some would argue the Bible tells us what God is like. But the challenge is we don’t all agree on interpretation when it comes to knowing what God is like. I don’t know one person, whether a church-goer or not, that doesn’t think any God worth believing in must be a perfect, loving God. The parent-child relationship comes to my mind when imaging how a Creator might love their creations. A parent’s perfect love is the same as God’s love. God’s love surely is other-directed not self-consumed. I only wish for my child to consider the possibility that my love only wants to help them in their journey of becoming the person deep down they want to become. We just want a chance to influence for good. Are we better lovers than God?

Can the institutional church be saved? 

Many of us stopped going to “church” for good reason. The reason so many denominations exist in the Christian religion is they can’t all unite and agree on the essentials. I am skeptical of the church changing because of the lack of discussion of differences. The church is no better than our politics. Attempts are made to silence differing opinions rather than encouraging a discussion of differences that may lead to a greater good for all involved. Try it in marriage!

How can we proceed without required beliefs? 

Billions in the past have believe in the possibility of a Creator. They couldn’t all be lunatics. Do you want to be more “in” with God? I am not sure there is anything to lose in beginning a journey of faith if the desire is to live life with fewer regrets. Personally, the biggest reason for being a God-follower is the inspiration and encouragement I sense in striving to be a better human being. Give God’s influence in your life a chance if so inclined. The good news is regardless of your belief – we are all still accountable to the same moral actions. Such actions are determined by discussion and striving to love others like you want to be loved.

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  

Should We Call Ourselves A Judeo-Christian Nation?

The Founders of the United States certainly believe in a Creator (see here ), but they also respected one’s freedom to determine their own religious beliefs. They wouldn’t argue atheists should be discriminated against. The Bible is the foundation behind the Judeo-Christian heritage. Good and bad has arisen as a result because of how the Bible is viewed. The Bible has been used to cause harm to women by declaring husbands as their leader rather than God. But a Nation that lives by the 10 Commandments doesn’t need law enforcement. Actions are immoral regardless of whether you claim belief in God or the Bible. Universal truths exist regardless of your belief.

A Judeo-Christian label doesn’t respect God’s freedom of belief 

Christians who believe in a Bible must admit that Jesus didn’t come to overthrow the Roman Empire to establish a Christian nation. Jesus biggest opponent seems to be the religious who claim to represent God. God obviously respects one’s personal choice to believe in God or not; otherwise, why wouldn’t a supposed all-powerful God destroy unbelievers at the first sight of evil in the world? Without freedom we could accuse God of not creating the very best world where only true, authentic relationships can develop. We are dependent on our children for intimate relationships. God would only give us uncontrolled freedom if seeking a friendship with us. 

A Judeo-Christian label assumes truth comes from a Book 

Insisting on Judeo-Christians values as a nation’s foundation can suggest such values come from the Bible. The majority of people born into this world didn’t have a Bible but surely understand moral values. Different Religions can agree on most moral values though they don’t share the same Book of values. Values don’t just come from a Book. Even if God inspired a Book word for word somehow, God can’t control interpretations being infallible. Biblical scholars who respect Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible teaches about many moral values – women rights, gay condemnation, Hell, and the afterlife , etc. See here.  See here.  See here.

Where do values come from? 

Moral values are not determined by a Book, popular opinion, or by a few in power. No, one can’t just always follow their own heart! There are universal values that most rational people agree on such as murder, stealing, equal rights for all, etc. We simply may disagree what would the punishment should be for breaking such a law. That must be debated openly. Most religions agree the overriding moral guide is to love others like you want to be treated. Belief or lack of belief in God doesn’t give you an excuse to not treat others like you want to be treated. 

What kind of nation are we then? 

Believing in “biblical values” doesn’t lead to consensus of belief. What kinds of immigration or climate policies we should pursue aren’t universal truths. A Nation can never reach its potential until there is open, free debate what is the most caring decision for all involved. Until we all ask ourselves “am I acting toward others like I want to be treated,” we seem destined to fail. Are we a loving Nation? The U.S. Constitution may be the greatest guarantor of freedom in history. Certain alienable rights must exist such as the freedom for life and liberty if such decisions are not physically harmful to others. We can express individually and respect one’s belief or not in a moral, loving God. This is who we are as a Nation!

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  

Why Is It So Awkward To Talk About God With Others?

Is your experience similar to mine? I enjoy talking about God for spiritual health reasons without any hidden agenda to convert others, but I begin blogging years ago about God because few want to discuss what role God plays in their life. Church can be one place to discuss God, but many of us discovered our contrarian questions weren’t always welcomed in such a setting so we moved on. We discuss family and work relationships. Why not our relationship with God?

Differences of opinions can be uncomfortable

Spiritual topics, like politics, can be touchy. There are diverse opinions in the spiritual arena which might lead to avoiding potential conflict. 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 and can lead to questioning our own beliefs thus creating anxiety.

Christians tend to have an “agenda” reputation

Conversations with God followers often feels like them trying to change your beliefs. We all hate when our partner doesn’t listen and just wants to give advice. I hate to admit I use to have an agenda with those outside the institutional church. I was taught God’s good news was saving people from Hell so they could get into Heaven. I was wrong according to Jesus. See here.   The ship may have sailed others trusting us to have open conversations. All I know to do is to focus on a life where actions speak louder than words in case others want to pursue convos about God.

Claims made about God stifle conversations 

Many of us are into God but many of us left the institutional church because claims about God’s character was contrary to our deepest moral intuitions. Why believe in a God you can’t respect. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Beliefs about God’s love that don’t match how you know you ought to love your neighbor may be amiss. Don’t believe everything you hear about God! See here

Some don’t want to give up stuff or change

Spiritual folks are too quick to assume people don’t discuss God to avoid self-reflection. I suppose many may believe there is a God but don’t pursue because it may require changing some habits, but I doubt that is a main reason for most people. If you know what you are doing is harming others and you don’t care, that is on you. But if struggling with habits that you know are hurting you and others, God doesn’t have a list for you to conquer before getting to know God. Conversation can be stifled when we make assumptions about others and why they may not believe in God.

Believing what we can’t prove is normal 

Faith in God isn’t much different than faith in a lot of life. We still get on an airplane or sit in a chair, not because we know but have reason to believe it is safe. No religion can be proven beyond some doubt, but that doesn’t make faith unreasonable. Maybe we can’t reconcile why God doesn’t intervene more with evil and suffering in the world. Lack of certainty doesn’t mean there aren’t plausible reasons how a loving God can exist in such a world. If you have an inclination there is a Creator, consider initiating such conversations. Many God-folks enjoy such conversations.

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