God is not good

[Chad32]

You can argue that anyone is good, as long as you heap all the bad parts onto someone else. "We send ourselves to hell" somehow. Just ignore the fact that this god created a plane of torture for those that don't worship him, that everyone goes to by default, because they don't meet a standard that's impossible to reach.

[John V]

I'm simply not buying that he is in any way good.

I have read the bible, and this "he's a parent" crap is absolute bull.

I don't have to be a parent to know that one does not state, "behave my child, or I'll set you on fire."  That's what god is saying.

When you read the bible, what did you think of John 8:37-44? How do you reconcile that with your apparent belief that the bible says all people are children of God?

[Harry Nevis]

I'm simply not buying that he is in any way good.

I have read the bible, and this "he's a parent" crap is absolute bull.

I don't have to be a parent to know that one does not state, "behave my child, or I'll set you on fire."  That's what god is saying.

When you read the bible, what did you think of John 8:37-44? How do you reconcile that with your apparent belief that the bible says all people are children of God?

Just another contradiction?

[Chad32]

He's an abusive parent. Hell, he killed his own son because he thinks murdering an innocent person wipes away the crimes of the guilty. That's messed up.

[Astreja]

You can argue that anyone is good, as long as you heap all the bad parts onto someone else. "We send ourselves to hell" somehow. Just ignore the fact that this god created a plane of torture for those that don't worship him, that everyone goes to by default, because they don't meet a standard that's impossible to reach.

In the context of a "parent" god, the "we send ourselves to hell" excuse doesn't fly.  Any decent parent would rescue a child from danger and pain, regardless of how the child got into that mess.

As for the impossible standards, no sane god would set things up in such an absurd way.  It's obvious that that particular assertion was designed by apologists to keep people hooked, because if people can fix their own mistakes and pay their own debts, there's no actual need for Christianity.

[Chad32]

You can argue that anyone is good, as long as you heap all the bad parts onto someone else. "We send ourselves to hell" somehow. Just ignore the fact that this god created a plane of torture for those that don't worship him, that everyone goes to by default, because they don't meet a standard that's impossible to reach.

In the context of a "parent" god, the "we send ourselves to hell" excuse doesn't fly.  Any decent parent would rescue a child from danger and pain, regardless of how the child got into that mess.

As for the impossible standards, no sane god would set things up in such an absurd way.  It's obvious that that particular assertion was designed by apologists to keep people hooked, because if people can fix their own mistakes and pay their own debts, there's no actual need for Christianity.

I think this is why they claim hell is eternal, as well. Because if it's temporary, and you're only punished according to the crimes you committed against your fellow men and women, then what responsible adult would fear hell? Cue the idea of burning in a lake of fire for eternity.

[Godscreated]

I'm simply not buying that he is in any way good.

I have read the bible, and this "he's a parent" crap is absolute bull.

I don't have to be a parent to know that one does not state, "behave my child, or I'll set you on fire."  That's what god is saying.

Oh, he's a "supernatural" parent, this god you so revere?

Well, first prove to me this god exists, and then you can emulate him by burning your children as he does.

Oh, "his ways are above our understanding."

That is fucking bullshit.  If you're advocating for the evil that god does, while pretending that he's good, then you are the problem.

Not as great as this thread, I admit.

 First of all God doesn't say He will burn His children, so I'm doubtful you read the Bible and tried to understand what was being said.
 Second God is the creator of the universe and there is no way you can begin to understand a being with such great power.
 Third this is a bad post because it's the same ol' junk atheist spout all the time.

GC

[The Valkyrie]

It's quite amazing the mental gymnastics some theists will do to justify the "actions" of their god.

Genocide: "The people were corrupt, including the children, and deserved to be wiped out!"
Incest; "The genetics of humans were different in those days. More pure. So inbreeding wouldn't have any bad side effects."
Dashing children's heads against rocks: "The children were all evil/devil worshippers/devil possessed and they would have grown up to be evil like their parents. By killing them god took them to heaven!"
Slavery: "Slavery was different in those days. More like indentured servitude.:
Practically any other evil: "You're taking it out of context!", or, "Who are YOU to question god!!???"

Seriously, mental gymnastics should be an Olympic event!

Perhaps we should have a yearly award where religious types, not just on the forum, but elsewhere, are nominated for Olympic style events.

High jump: The theist who fell hardest during the year.
The 100 metre denial for the ones who say something then say, "I didn't say/do that!"
Mental gymnastics: As above.

I'll have to think this through a little more...

[c152]

Whenever someone tries to defend God as a good god it always brings to mind Dan Barker's book "God The Most Unpleasant Character In All Fiction". An entire book with verses from the Bible where God and Jesus and other characters are behaving immorally and/or downright evil.

"The people of Samaria must bear guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They shall fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open." Hosea 13:16 NIV

[Harry Nevis]

I'm simply not buying that he is in any way good.

I have read the bible, and this "he's a parent" crap is absolute bull.

I don't have to be a parent to know that one does not state, "behave my child, or I'll set you on fire."  That's what god is saying.

Oh, he's a "supernatural" parent, this god you so revere?

Well, first prove to me this god exists, and then you can emulate him by burning your children as he does.

Oh, "his ways are above our understanding."

That is fucking bullshit.  If you're advocating for the evil that god does, while pretending that he's good, then you are the problem.

Not as great as this thread, I admit.

 First of all God doesn't say He will burn His children, so I'm doubtful you read the Bible and tried to understand what was being said.
 Second God is the creator of the universe and there is no way you can begin to understand a being with such great power.
 Third this is a bad post because it's the same ol' junk atheist spout all the time.

GC

As opposed to the same junk believer's spout?  "Just believe", "I KNOW it's true", "All these believers can't be wrong".

It can be boiled down to a single argument: Take my word for it.  A con-man's phrase.