Similarities Between the Christian God and Abusive Spouses

[Thumpalumpacus]

... or an abusive parent -- absent until displeased, inappropriately angry at the slightest misstep, controlling through fear and criticism rather than love and hope.

[RobertE]

... or an abusive parent -- absent until displeased, inappropriately angry at the slightest misstep, controlling through fear and criticism rather than love and hope.

Agreed. I grew up in an environment where violence was never seen, heard yes, but never seen and it was probably down to my dad working hard, and coming back just a little bit pissed, and then the nagging had to start from my mum and then a series of events started. However, like I said, I always heard, but I never saw any violence and I am glad of it too. It taught me that we don't need violence to get our point of view across. So, as a parent, I am glad to say that my daughters only heard the arguments, and not seen although there were moments where my ex would initiate the violence to get a reaction (there was one instance where my ex actually broke a broom handle over my back; it was aluminium on the inside and plastic on the outside; but I never reacted.) So no, I have never had an abusive parent, but an abusive ex-girlfriend.

[drfuzzy]

[drfuzzy]

[Simon Moon]

I've always thought the mob boss was a better comparison than an abusive spouse, but I guess they both have accurate points of comparison.

I've always liked the "Kissing Hank's Ass" analogy.

[RobertE]

We can add paganism to the list since, women under paganism were the same.

Hence women under Paganism had no hope of future joy, no recognition of their divine attributes, no scope for energy, no field of usefulness but a dreary house, no ennobling friendship, no high encouragement, no education, no lofty companionship; unappreciated, valued only as household slaves or victims of guilty pleasure, adorned with trinkets to show off the body alone, nothing to show an equal influence with men in mind or heart, no interest in what truly elevates society. What schools could they teach or visit? What hospitals enrich? What miseries relieve? What churches attend? What charities to assist? What social gatherings enliven? What was there for a woman to do with an unrecognized soul? So she girded herself with ornaments, did curiously braid her hair; searched shops for new cosmetics, new perfumes; reclined on luxurious couches; issued orders for slaves, joined in seductive dances; enticed by display of sensual charms. Her highest aspiration was to adorn a perishable body; vanity became the spring of life, to the favored few. "Society" under paganism, was confined to men at banquets or "symposia," where women seldom entered, unless for amusement of men (Vashti)

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

The twin doctrines of 'Everything good comes from God' and 'Everything bad is the result of human sin' have always seemed to have precious little difference with the man who beats his wife half blind and then tells her, 'Look what you made me do.'

Boru

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I've always wondered why any woman would want to be religious. I don't just mean on a social, outward facing level, I mean on a deep, personal level. Perhaps it's almost like a Stockholm Syndrome thing, where the thing that oppresses and abuses you gives you the reason to carry on, or a very thin layer of support that would otherwise soon evaporate under any sort of real scrutiny.

I thank Allah every day that my partner was never born in a country where women are given less rights than cars, which is pretty much almost anywhere aside the developed world. And even there it's not all roses. It does may me laugh when I see justification for oppression from these tools, though, as though women are somehow less deserving or less capable (almost every religion ever). And then I think of all the research and intelligence my partner has and how much she's achieved relative to them.

[robvalue]

I heard an argument that especially in countries where women get treated like shit, they see there being a "good reason" for it. It's what Allah wants; instead of just a load of men being horrible to them.

Yes, the way people make constant feeble excuses for the violent and bloodthirsty nature of their God makes them sound just like a battered spouse.