What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

What Are The Worst Lies About God?

Understandings and mental views of God shape your beliefs in God and a relationship with God

God views you as scum and is pissed!

I only know what a loving God may be like according to how a parent should love their child. I figure God didn’t create us to be better lovers than God. My kids weren’t always saints but I hated their behavior, not them. I would suggest that Scripture shows that God sees human beings as deeply loved, valuable, and made in His image, even though we are also broken by sin. See here.

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  

Zionism!

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 violates 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. As if God commanding them what they must believe. 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

Does God Suffer With Us? So What!

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  

What To Tell A Child About Hell And The Afterlife?

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!

What To Tell Children About Hell And Stranger Danger?

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