If we are supposed to believe that God is a benevolent God,...details...?

Question

why is that all the symbols associated with God.....are intimidating and threatening?

Ok ....for instance the burning bush, the surge of the red sea killing the Egyptians, bolts of thunder etc...

Answer 1

Because we have alienated ourselves from God. To those long accustomed to darkness, the light is frightening.

Answer 2

The examples you cited all come from the Old Testament. During those early times, man was quite ignorant and his reasoning abilities were not yet fairly developed. Just as we speak to little children in baby talk and use threats to keep them in line. So too were we treated during those Biblical times in the same way.

However, when Jesus came, he revealed the God of love and mercy effectively replacing the jealous and vengeful God. He clarified the divine laws that effectively superseded many of the old false and misguided teachings. And before he ascended to the True Home, he promised that the Holy Spirits would come to guide us to “all of the Truth.”

Answer 3

Who says God is a benevolent God? When I read the Bible, the last thing that comes to mind is a benevolent God.

Answer 4

depends on the symbols we apply to God. Christian, Jew, Buddhist??? only male associations of God are truly threatebing.

Answer 5

What symbols? I can't think of any symbols. Need more details. How can sacrificing his son for us be threatening?

Answer 6

Please read my words carefully:
If you see footmark in the sand, you'll say that someone passed from here...
If you see a piece of dog sh*t on the ground, you'll say that a dog passed from here...
So what about the enormous universe, the sky, stars, planets, earth and all the beauty in it, doesn't it lead to that someone made it?!!!

Some people say that everything is created by itself after the big-bang... I won't ask you about what caused the big-bang, but I'll ask you a simple question:
If you take all the letters of the alphabet, multiples of them, and you threw them randomly on the floor. Do you expect (by a chance of one in infinity) to get a poem like shakespear's??!!

Can't you see how organized our universe is, the planets, the eco-system on earth, look even in your own body... Can you control your heart-beat? Can you control your breath while you're sleeping? Who stopped your eye-lashes from growing after reaching a certain length? Who told the baby turtles to move towards the sea and not to the earth after they come out of their eggs? Who taught the bird how to make nests?

My friend, think with your heart and brain. If you're still lost, think about the following:

Do you know how to play safe?
Your point:
If there's no God and you do all what you want in life, then nothing will happen to you after life. But if there was God and you were mistaken, then you'll blame yourself FOREVER...

Believer's point:
If there's God and I followed His commands in life, then I'll be in Heaven after life FOREVER. But if there was no God and we're mistaken, then nothing bad will happen to us after life...

Now you know how to play-safe, in case you're not convinced?

Answer 7

Let's not forget the cross and the crown of thorns. I for one find the idea of being crucified pretty damn threatening.

Answer 8

ITS NOT THREATENING ANYWAY, ITS EMPHASIZE THE FUTURE HOLDS THE VITAL ISSUE ABOUT HOW HUMAN GOT SINNED AND HOW WE GET AWAY FROM THE CATASTROPHIC ANGER BY GOD THAT WILL END IN ARMAGEDDON. THE TRUE PURPOSED OF GOD IS HUMAN WILL LIVE ON PARADISE EARTH TO TIME INDEFINITE. AND HE WILL BE OUR GOD.

Answer 9

Because Religion is meant to control.
And it is easiest to control through fear.
I, for one refuse to be afraid.

Answer 10

You seem to be leaving out all the good symbols:

fatherhood
the "comforter"
the savior
prince of peace

(You get the picture...)