God's contract with humanity: Worship me or die and be tortured forever.
Does that sound loving to you? Like the kind of love Josef Stalin gave the USSR?
And don't give me that "It's a choice, we have free will" excuse... How about this: I have a gun to your head, cooperate or die. Does that sound like a choice?
So I repeat, how is that love?
2006-10-19 16:17:50 · 18 answers · asked by John S 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I just want to say that even though I disagreed with many of the answerers, the many different types of answers I received were very interesting. The Christian answers, a Muslims answer, a Jewish answer, and a Pagan answer... Thanks for giving me all your answers...
2006-10-20 03:38:54 · update #1
there is no contract G-d has with humanity that says "worship me or die and be tortured forever."
the mosaic covenant between G-d and the jews asks jews to keep the 613 commandments in return for the love and protection of G-d. there is no punishment in the afterlife specified for not doing so.
the noachide covenant, between G-d and all the peoples of the world, asks non-jews to follow 7 basic moral laws in return for G-ds love and protection. once again, there is no punishment in the afterlife specified for not doing so.
there is no such thing as hell. it was made up to scare jews and gentiles alike into becoming christian. there is no mention of hell in the hebrew scriptures, because it simply does not exist.
2006-10-19 16:28:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If god was really a being of love, he would lift up the spiritually weak and help them towards full actualization. God would not threaten or scare with a nightmarish eternal prison called hell but would simply love all and guide all towards spiritual development - no matter where they are in the present moment.
God would be a mentor. A friend. An entity so profound that worship would not be necessary because an attribute like "ego" would not be a part of god's make-up. This god would not be the vengeful, demanding, murdering god of the Torah. This god would do all that's necessary to aid us in understanding him/her. It would be a partnership of such incredible magnitude that the only way we could verbalize it, describe it, would be,
Love.
Given all the inhuman demands by the god of the Torah, the god of Christianity and the god of Islam, which must be fulfilled or we face unfathomable torture at the hands of his second, better known as satan, I must agree with you. But even so, I understand it. It is meant to make people subservient. It does nothing to help people towards their own personal development, spiritual or otherwise. It is about power and godly vanity - not love.
One day, I hope human beings can find enough love in themselves to either create a true god of love or simply manifest that kind of love in themselves. What we have offered to us now is dismal.
2006-10-19 23:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are in luck. There are plenty of gods and goddesses to choose from. If you don't like the terms of the contract, don't sign it. Simple, no?
The concept is pretty easy. Hopefully that avatar is a representation of Odinn so I don't have to get involved in a long, drawn out explanation of the concept of Orlag. Believe it or not, I believe the contract that the jews made with their chosen god is not too far removed from the Asatruar Orlag in the well concept.
People of jewish descent are probably laboring under a heavy layer of 'bad orlag'. At the very least, they just might be bound by the oath that Abraham swore to his Elohim, just as Asatruar are bound by oaths sworn to their gods. If you break an oath (and oathbreakers are one of the WORST kind of bad person - right up there with murderers) you lay a layer of bad orlag in the well and your descendants must rise through it by creating good orlag. Where Asatruar, through our relationship/contract with our gods can later create good layers of orlag and leave those for our descendants, the contract Abraham made with his god didn't leave that as an option. This then means that each descendant must renew the contract with this god or die/be tortured/whatever. Hopefully, if one is not directly descended from Abraham or someone else who is under this contract, they can simply create a new contract with another god and be free of the whole 'do or die' thing.
So to answer your question - it isn't love, it's part of the deal for them. They simply interpret that as 'love'. Basic protection in return for blind obedience to the god of their ancestors.
At least that's my take on it.
~Morg~
2006-10-19 23:43:37 · answer #3 · answered by morgorond 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The love that God has for us is that he accepts us and keeps on loving us no matter what we do. He loves you...He loves me...He even loves His "enemies."
That's why He sent His son to die for us. The ultimate sacrifice. John 3:16..."For God sent His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not die, but have everlasting life."
He's a forgiving God. He loves us so much that no matter what we do, He will still forgive us and hold nothing against us. He accepts us unconditionally.
I have a feeling this is not the kind of answer you were looking for, but it's the best I've got. Sorry!
2006-10-19 23:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by Joy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dear John, Many people have this understanding of the Gospel, the reason is because there is a disconect between the Biblical Gospel and the Gospel Of Hell Hell Hell! Let me explain the biblical Gospel to you. I would like to ask you a couple of questions to see how you will do on Judgement day.
Have you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; Have you ever hated someone? the BIBle says "he who hates his brother is a murderer."
have you always put God first in your life, even in thought word and deed? if you havent you have broken the first and second commandment because if God wasnt first someting else was, and this is called Idolatry. Nothing you’ve ever done is hid from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. You see, God wont send you to hell for failing to belive in him, he will send you to hell because you have transgressed his Law. The BIble says sin isnt failing to hear and obey the Gospel but first John say's "sin is transgression of the Law." but heres the good news, God has done someting for you so you wouldnt have to go to hell. God loved you so much that instead of simply giiving you Justice in hell, He sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death.
Your own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name. and John, the BIble says If you will turn from sin(repent) and put your full faith and trust in Jesus, God will forgive you and grant you everlasting life. God is not some cosmic ogre waiting simply to enjoy your torture, he loved you so much he came down from his throne and was killed and took your punishment so you could go free if you wikll repent and trust in him.
God Bless
WDJD
2006-10-19 23:34:01 · answer #5 · answered by WDJD 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't know. I don't understand that concept and that's why I'm not a Christian. My gods don't have that attitude. But what the heck, it's a free country. Live and let live.
2006-10-19 23:32:15 · answer #6 · answered by Maria Isabel 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is just religious nonsense.
Religion is a lie that people tell about God.
Love and blessings Don
2006-10-19 23:21:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well you are right of course...it is not love or free will, however I don't think your reasoning will get through the kevlar helmets they wear on their heads.
2006-10-19 23:24:34 · answer #8 · answered by Medusa 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its more than just worship me or die.
God demonstrated His unconditional love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Christ died for all of mankind, loving all of mankind through His sacrifice. It is our acceptance of Him that is the condition for salvation... not the condition for His love.
2006-10-19 23:34:18 · answer #9 · answered by iamwhoiam 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God is a JUDGE. If you commited murder and went to court, and were sentenced to life in prison, or you got the death penalty, then don't complain. You commited the crime, now do your time. God is NO different. Either stop being evil, or face the consequences. Very simple isn't it?
2006-10-19 23:22:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋