I always had problems with the character of God, especially YHWH. His attributes/personality reflect the harsh world of those who invented him. -The early Canaanites stole him from the Chaldeans, where he was one of a trinity, with a wife called 'Asheroth'.
The God of the gospels isn't much better.
The Love of the god of Christianity is conditional. The Christian god also threatens his beloved people with eternal suffering for not loving and obeying him. (To be fair, eternal hell isa purely Christian invention. )
This next bit may simply due to a poorly thought out idea, but it's something I've thought about over many years. I can't remember ever having had a convincing explanation from any believer.
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I am not interested in a response referring to the bible or some other religious explanation. I would really appreciate a response from one of our resident thinkers.
I was taught God isa n infinite being ,having alway existed. His attributes are also infinite. Human beings are finite, but we have an essence which is eternal. This is not the same as 'infinite'
How is it possible for a finite being to insult/disappoint or please an infinite one whose attributes are also infinite?
In such a situation, would not the love and acceptance of the creator be unconditional?
The free will argument doesn't stand up, for me: If God knows the outcome for every life, does that not abrogate free will?
We are given the choice of following god's rules and being rewarded or rejecting them and being punished. How can this be a free choice? To me, it's Hobson's choice. IE no choice.
The God of the gospels isn't much better.
The Love of the god of Christianity is conditional. The Christian god also threatens his beloved people with eternal suffering for not loving and obeying him. (To be fair, eternal hell isa purely Christian invention. )
This next bit may simply due to a poorly thought out idea, but it's something I've thought about over many years. I can't remember ever having had a convincing explanation from any believer.
.
I am not interested in a response referring to the bible or some other religious explanation. I would really appreciate a response from one of our resident thinkers.
I was taught God isa n infinite being ,having alway existed. His attributes are also infinite. Human beings are finite, but we have an essence which is eternal. This is not the same as 'infinite'
How is it possible for a finite being to insult/disappoint or please an infinite one whose attributes are also infinite?
In such a situation, would not the love and acceptance of the creator be unconditional?
The free will argument doesn't stand up, for me: If God knows the outcome for every life, does that not abrogate free will?
We are given the choice of following god's rules and being rewarded or rejecting them and being punished. How can this be a free choice? To me, it's Hobson's choice. IE no choice.
