I hear the term, “Good, God-fearing Christian” and I am wondering how you can love your God. I understand why; because you’re afraid of “him,” but how do you convince yourself that you truly do love “him?” You believe he has infinite power, and yet he doesn’t answer all of your unselfish prayers. If you claim that “he” does then why are you not praying for an end to all suffering right now, period?
2007-09-28 17:50:21 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ok, you have explained the first part of the question with the fear = reverence concept. I could argue that the dictionary probably got this definition from this common saying, but I won’t. Now, could you please tell me how (not why, because you’ve already explained that) you could revere someone who has the ability to end all suffering; who, in fact, had the ability to never allow it to begin? It seems highly irrational to revere someone who causes untold suffering to all forms of life, threatens your life with eternal torture for the smallest infraction; tells you must believe and worship him even though “he” has never even formally introduced himself to you. The only evidence you have for him is the Bible.
2007-09-28 18:28:20 · update #1
Lots of women love their abusive husbands. Go figure.
Same thing here, I think.
2007-09-28 17:53:38 · answer #1 · answered by Dreamstuff Entity 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
First of all the word fear is a deep awe for God, Reverence. It does not mean to be so afraid of him that you run and hide in sheer terror. God does answer ever prayer, sometimes yes, no, or wait. How do you know we don't pray for the end of all suffering?
2007-09-29 00:59:25 · answer #2 · answered by Rev.Michelle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fear here means respect, in the sense that a Marine recruit respects his drill sergeant. I have never quite put together the concept of loving God with having to fear him, and being afraid of being zapped for doing something wrong. That is real scary, like a punative parent. Be good or I won't love you? Give me a break, but that is the attitude many churches attribute to God. The logic of the whole thing escapes me, and it always has.
2007-09-29 00:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You do not know the meaning of the word "fear" as it is used in The Bible. Look the word up in the dictionary.
"Fear" as it is used in reference to God means "awe;reverence."
There are many cruel people in this world. THEY cause much of the suffering. God does not.
2007-09-29 01:04:43 · answer #4 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The term “Good, God-fearing Christian” refers to people who behave and follow the rules of society because they feel threatened by religion. What's that got to do with "loving" god, or anything?
2007-09-29 00:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by treebird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a child I found it hard to love "god" (as he was/is non existent in my life), and realized my faith was fear based. Which I felt guilty for, (because of the whole Jesus dying thing, and that my only reason for praying was in hopes of not burning in hell).
Then, I realized there are no god type beings. Problem solved!
2007-09-29 00:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by lilith 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's like the love of your earthly father. You know if you have done something terrible you will have to pay the consequences. Yet you still love and respect him.
It's the same with our heavenly father.We aren't afraid of God, just the punishment He meets out to us if we don't repent of wrong doing.
2007-09-29 01:01:33 · answer #7 · answered by gabeymac♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
C.S. Lewis said: "we are not necessarily doubting God will
do His best for us, we are wondering how painful His best will be."
Susan Lenzkes "False hope expects to find relief from suffering-True hope expects to find God in suffering"
Joy Lewis: "Joy and sorrow go together that's the deal."
"Jackie "O": "Prehaps we should not seperate the bad from the good they go together."
11th step "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God 'as we understood Him'
praying only for knowledge if His will for us and the power to carry that out." "as we understood Him."
Those words give one to free them selves of others opinions.
My favorite face of God is Jesus as the good Shepherd, He is the God of my under standing. I doubt any one can "under
stand God' completely, But these are just a few things that work for me. So I focus on His example. I pray for wisdom,
as for the rest, "Sock it to me God but give me the strength
for what ever comes my way, Inspite of me and my failing.
C.S. Lewis: "I have a need to pray, prayer changes me not
God."----------------Both C.S. & Joy Lewis were once atheists.
Blessings
2007-09-29 08:28:02 · answer #8 · answered by jenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fear from God is not a fear from harms but it is a love and respect before his grandeur and providence.
2007-09-29 00:55:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to explain it to some people. Parents are kind of like this:
When you do wrong, they punish you. Next time you do right. They reward you. I guess "fear" is like "respect" we don't go around mocking God because then He will chastise us. We deserve it.
2007-09-29 00:54:00 · answer #10 · answered by guineapiggirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In this case, to fear, means to respect or have reverance for. It does not imply physical fear.
2007-09-29 00:57:38 · answer #11 · answered by †LifeOnLoan† 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋