What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

Why Are People Pro-Israel?

There are many reasons why people support strongly America’s defense of Israel as opposed to having the same fervent for other nations. There are moral, political, religious, and personal reasons. It’s rarely just one factor. Justice reasons may be because Israel has suffered so many injustices during the centuries including the holocaust and October 7^th

Why might Christians support Israel for religious reasons?

One reason that concerns me the most is that many Christians and Jews support Israel based on interpretations of the Bible. Many Christians believe Israel plays a role in biblical prophecy and to not support them would be going against God’s future plan. Many do not admit that biblical experts don’t agree on the meaning of many passages that may or may not relate to future events. 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. We all must admit there is no consensus of beliefs about prophecies in the Bible. I trust more those who admit their interpretation of ancient literature (Bible) could be wrong. I am not certain my views are correct.

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?

Foreign policy should not be guided by disputed theological interpretations/religiosity. Assumptions about biblical prophecy and Israel can lead to foreign policy decisions in God’s name that don’t fulfill God’s desires at all. Foreign policies should not be based on theological ideology based on complex interpretations of biblical prophecy. This doesn’t represent citizens who don’t share such theological beliefs and whether believers are into God or not. Shouldn’t a nation’s policy be based on the protection of all its citizen within a moral framework?

Why might many oppose support of Isreal or favor Israel?

I understand many may especially support Israel for important military and intelligence reasons. Those who oppose 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.

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

How Can You Be Happy If Not With Loved Ones In Heaven?

Many believe only those who believe/follow God here on earth will make it to heaven in the afterlife. For contrarian views see: What Religion Leads To Heaven If you don’t believe all have a chance to be in heaven regardless of beliefs here on earth, then how can heaven be a happy place if unbelieving loved ones aren’t allowed in heaven.

At least you don’t have to worry about Hell 

One barrier to happiness is a belief held by many that there is a literal hell where God tortures those in the afterlife who don’t believe while here on earth. The only place one may get such a idea about a loving God is a supposed inspired book by God (Bible). The good news is that a literal hell is unlikely biblically speaking. You don’t have to worry about a loved one being kept alive to be tortured. God creating a literal Hell where people are tortured for billions of years for beliefs held a short time here on earth isn’t possible morally or biblically. See here. See here. Humans wouldn’t even create such a place for our enemies. God or humans can’t possibly be happy in heaven if loved ones are tormented after death forever. If God supposedly has such control over happiness, why not use the same power over rebelliousness?

And, all loved ones may go to heaven eventually even according to the Bible? 

Many may reject universalism because they believe the Bible teaches against it. Many who reject universalism often resort to name calling rather than defending their views – referring to those who reject their claims as heretics. What many may not know is there are many biblical scholars who believe the Bible can be interpreted to teach God saves all eventually. See: All Will End Up Heaven According To The Bible!

The main reason to think God doesn’t accept all in heaven when meeting their Creator is because the Bible supposedly says otherwise. Does God’s loving nature allow stopping to forgive? There are consequences in this life and there may be painful reckonings in the life to come, but a loving God can’t stop showing grace. Why would God undergo a complete character lobotomy after we take our last breath here on earth? Is a thief going to enter Paradise but not others with lesser sins because they weren’t next to Jesus hanging on Cross right before their last breath? God’s grace doesn’t depend on whether one has more opportunities to respond to God than others. The Bible doesn’t rule out decisions after life here on earth. Even imperfect human parents wouldn’t cut off a child who eventually accepts responsibilities for their actions. Universalism is possible or even probably true because there can’t be a deadline or time limit on God’s love. There isn’t on my love for my children. Am I a better lover than God?  We are told to forgive our enemies as many times as necessary but God doesn’t?

Even the Bible doesn’t rule out decisions after death regarding one’s eternal destination

John 5:25 says that the dead will hear the voice of God and those who hear will live. Verse 29 says those who have done evil will be condemned but we do not know whether repentance will take place. Romans 14:11-12 says: “It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.” So then, we will all give an account of ourselves to God.” Why couldn’t some make a decision at Judgment? I Peter 3:18-20 speaks of Jesus preaching to those in Noah’s day who were disobedient. Preaching is normally for the opportunity to respond.  I Peter 4:6 goes on to say that the dead can live according to God’s spirit. Eternal decisions after death doesn’t diminish the blessings of changing here on earth. A perfect, merciful God can best decide when enough chances are given.

A loving God can’t be a God of chance!

A loving God wouldn’t only let Christians into heaven when the majority of people born into this world died without knowledge of Jesus the Christ. Besides, one’s religion or rebellion against a certain religion is often based on the family born into whether it is Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. No human or spiritual parent brings children into the world requiring that one’s eternal destination is based on circumstances out of one’s control.

What about justice though?

The Bible talks about everyone, whether having faith here on earth or not, will be judged (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:12). Punishment doesn’t bring back a victim’s robbed memories of the future due to the murder of a loved one. Justice can be understanding your victim’s pain and accepting the harmfulness of your actions. After death God may seek for all to face every action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others. Humans like God may forgive their enemies if they truly regret their actions and seek forgiveness. Justice from a fair, merciful God is possible despite people being given a second chance after death.

Happiness in Heaven possible even if loved one not there

I supposed it is possible some may reject God and Heaven when meeting their Creator and chose final death. So, God may not be able to save all. But, if my loved one sees what God is really like meeting and still reject God, I can better except it is their choice than God rejecting them. I can better accept their death than forcing them to be in heaven is fair and I can be content with that decision.

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

What Do You Tell A Child About Hell?

Okay. My kids are nearing their 40s. What I wish I had said and now have a chance with my grandchildren.

I linked below my last two Posts written about hell.

12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!

Why Hell Can’t Be True!

And a Site with several articles about Heaven:

What Religion Goes To Heaven

No one would think a loving God or caring parent would create a place to torture those who didn’t believe while a short time here on earth. Such pain serves no purpose. Most humans wouldn’t even treat their enemies that way. The only reason one may believe in 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 not believe Hell is a literal place. See articles above.

What I tell a young child about heaven and hell when they bring it up.

Heaven is a place everyone goes after death here on earth to be with God. See link above about Heaven. It 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.

I may ask a child what they have heard Hell is. I would tell a child Hell is not a literal place. It is sometimes mentioned in the Bible as a place people don’t believe in God’s or don’t want God’s influence- not treating others kindly or like you want to be treated. I tell adults Hell is a metaphor (There is a heavenly or hellish way to live life).

Parents – God’s influence in life is similar to the influence you hope to have in your kid’s life.

Does God Every Advocate Violence To Stop Evil?

There is so much violence throughout the world. Evil is alive and well even in churches, synagogues, and mosques. Shouldn’t we fight against evil? Must God-followers always lay down their arms according to Jesus’ words and example? Does non-violent reactions really end evil. Pacifism in my opinion is unrealistic. Evil only end when all individuals and nations decide to stop victimizing others.

More and more God-followers are rightly advocating for a loving than wrathful God. Many suggest since Jesus is God Himself, we should follow His words if we think they contradict an Old Testament prophet’s understanding of God.  It’s too simplistic to think the Bible was written so we can simply turn to a page to get an answer for our problem. I might give my kids different advice when dealing with similar or different circumstances. Jesus too! Should you confront, should you divorce, etc.? It depends! Seek God and the wisdom of others who are slow to be certain. See: Does God Ever Advocate Violence To Stop Evil?

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