So let me get this straight...?

Question

According to Christians...

God created humans. Humans are sinful creatures unable to meet God's standard of righteousness, which he also created. God had to sacrifice his own son to himself to "pay" for the sins of humans and "save" us from his own wrath. If we don't accept that sacrifice and be grateful to Jesus for dying for our sins (especially since we're so "unworthy" of it to begin with), we get to suffer eternal torment for being miserable sinful creatures...as God created us.

We're sinful, we're the reason that Jesus had to suffer on the cross, we're completely unworthy, and if we don't acknowledge that, we'll burn in hell. That sounds an awful lot like..."You're stupid, you're horrible, no one else would ever want you, look what I have to go through BECAUSE OF YOU, and if you try to leave me, I'll make your life miserable."

So...how am I supposed to reconcile that this is a "loving god", when he sounds more like an abusive parent/spouse?

Answer 1

I like that. I couldn't have put it better myself. The answers from Christians on here make me laugh. it's basically restating what you said in a "nicer" way.

If you really tried you can make anything sound nice. This is what Christians do.

Answer 2

You are aware that early believers had a much different perspective than this one. Once the church established the books of the bible and the official doctrines, an all out effort was made to destroy anything in writing that opposed this view. Even the bible does not entirely support such a view. Jesus clearly does not agree with Moses on many issues according to The Apocryphon of John. One of many gnostic gospels rejected by the church that survived the churches censorship.

Answer 3

I wouldn’t worry about god’s wrath too much. I think maybe he gave up the ghost with us many moons ago. I see god sulking in a corner of the universe, mumbling incoherently to himself. Stuff like: “Where did I go wrong?” “What do I need to do to get some attention?” “Should I try and create a new race, a new world?” He doesn’t know what is what anymore. God don’t give a flying hootenanny about us. Treat others as you expect to be treated and you won’t go far wrong, if god doesn’t like it he should have left the world to the animals. He made us we didn’t make him…or did we? lol

Answer 4

It's all about decisions and choice. You can give in to god and play by his rules -- or not. You get to decide if you want to accept his incredible gift of life.

Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. NOW CHOOSE LIFE, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life...

Answer 5

That's only what some christians believe. I believe only an extremely select few will go to what people refer to as hell. I have different definitions of all those terms though. What most people use scripturally to back up the concept of hell I believe is referring to purgatory...more of a waiting place until the final judgment. And it won't be fire and brimstone, it will probably be quite similar to earth life. I believe over 99% of the earth's population will go to some form of heaven.

Answer 6

You are right the early church used Christianity as a method of wielding power. Jesus was a Rabi with revolutionary teachings, he wanted his teachings to benefit mankind, not just for the hierarchies of the synagogues. Was he the son of god? I do not think so just someone with a lot of sense and was'nt frightened to challenge the ways of the church

Answer 7

Hi, I know this is confuseing. A very simple book that helped me understand and realize that I AM NOT A BAD PERSON--- is 'The Complete Works of H. Emilie Cady.' I found it very clear and straight-forward in explaining that GOD/SPIRIT has made Us into very powerful, capeable beings. This is a good thing!! Nothing to feel guilty about!! I hope this helps.

Answer 8

Well firstly, humans were not sinful in the begining. We were pure innocent creatures created to bask in God's love.
But God doesn't want to force us to love him, that's why he gave us free will. We could choose to love him if we want.
God just gave us one commandment. Not to eat from the tree of good and evil.
When the serpent tempted Eve to eat from the tree, we disobeyed God's one rule (now we have 10 to live by =P)
and we were punished. The seed of evil was now planted into human beings by the devil.
It was from that point on that we are sinful.

Answer 9

I don't believe this outdated thinking. My God is the Source. If Jesus dying helped the world, great. It had nothing to do with me. I refuse to live with that excuse for humility and I won't be penned. They can think whatever they want but it doesn't fit people like us. Thank God we were born to shine light into darkness.

Answer 10

you're supposed to think that way because your preacher tells you it is so.

The Bible is full of paradoxes. I personally read it as a story, or a book with morals (meaning- the 10 Commandments part of it, not all the death and destruction in it).

I don't think there are many of us who haven't already acknowledged at some point in our lives that we are completely unworthy. One doesn't need to attend church services or pay into an offering basket to realize that. We see it daily, in the way other people treat us.

I leave my personal judgment by God, if he exists or not, for my judgment day. I lead my life pretty moralistically. I donate to charity. I try to be as kind and patient with others as I can possibly be. I work hard for my living.

I believe a lot of Christians are insecure with themselves and need to find fault in others, in order to live their daily lives. I feel sorry for these people at times, that they need to have something to believe in, which they can't even acknowledge by sight, in order to feel they are somewhat worthy. And boy, do they like to try to rub it in that they're going to heaven just because they go to church.

I'd rather burn in hell than listen to their stupid rantings any day.