Jesus as Lord - why is this appealing to so many?

[Chad32]

A parent's job is to raise a child up to be more and more independent of them over time, to the point where they can be treated as practically equals. That's not comparable to your god's lordship. He wants you dependent for the rest of eternity.

I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there, mmkay?

What do you think the end result of parenting is supposed to be?

[vulcanlogician]

Also, the best bosses aren't dictators, but consensus builders who work with their employees, and are open to change.  They may have the final say, but collaboration is highly valued by them.

Says the guy who's dictating terms to the Christians rather than working with us to build consensus.  

At least he won't burn you for eternity if you don't listen to his "dictates"....

(Besides, he's not "dictating terms" so much as "challenging your views")

[Catholic_Lady]

OK, America. To which I reply - we experience many more power relationships than just the federal government. I gave an example of one that is working out great for me. Another, more common example of a benevolent dictatorship would be parenting. 

I think people aren't actually considering the "benevolent" part.

Children aren't adults, and have physiological reasons as to why they cannot make decisions for themselves.

Also, the best bosses aren't dictators, but consensus builders who work with their employees, and are open to change. They may have the final say, but collaboration is highly valued by them.

---

Are you hung up on the fact thay we refer to Jesus as Lord? It's an acknowledgement that He is above us and so we look to Him for guidance in life. I mean, being God and all. I don't see the big deal with referring to Him as Lord.

I also don't see any sort of inherent problem with a Kingdom if the ruler is a completely good and perfect being, and when His laws are just. With humans this is a problem because humans are flawed, but we are talking about a perfect and good entity. Not only that, but the entity that created us and our world, and whom we were made to find ultimate fulfillment in.

Well, like I said before, I have an aversion to being lorded over.

I freely admit that it likely stems from my disability, and almost always having a chaperone figure near me. It's a beneficial relationship, yet still chafes. The idea of eternity like that is not something I'd look forward to, and it's hard for me to believe that the people who are gung-ho about it really know what it feels like.

Bottom line is eternity is meant to be ultimate fulfillment, in one way or another. Obviously it isnt going to be something that is annoying. So yeah, if we believe this it seems logical that we would want it.

---

Are you hung up on the fact thay we refer to Jesus as Lord? It's an acknowledgement that He is above us and so we look to Him for guidance in life. I mean, being God and all. I don't see the big deal with referring to Him as Lord.

I also don't see any sort of inherent problem with a Kingdom if the ruler is a completely good and perfect being, and when His laws are just. With humans this is a problem because humans are flawed, but we are talking about a perfect and good entity. Not only that, but the entity that created us and our world, and whom we were made to find ultimate fulfillment in.

'Looking for guidance' isn't the same thing as submission to a Lord. Even a completely benevolent, 'perfect' dictator is still a dictator. A demand for submission is an inherently vile request, even if the being requesting it is 'perfect' (which the very request shows to be false).

And, as for finding 'ultimate fulfillment in' such a being...That just seems horrid to me. It is the tactic of sheep and not humans.

And do they ever tell you why a shepherd watches over his sheep? Because he wants to sell them for slaughter. Sort of changes the imagery of Jesus doens't it?

As I explained on my first couple of posts. Submitting to God means letting go of greed/selfish desires and embracing goodness and love, which are God's ways. It's a positive thing.

[John V]

I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there, mmkay?

What do you think the end result of parenting is supposed to be?

I'm disagreeing with the assertion that god doesn't grant us any autonomy.

[The Grand Nudger]

A positive thing? Judging by this thread, that's not even remotely true. I don;t have to make any comments about some imaginary god to see what it;s done to real people. This is just sad, plain and simple.

[John V]

At least he won't burn you for eternity if you don't listen to his "dictates"....

Which is probably what's really eating him.

(Besides, he's not "dictating terms" so much as "challenging your views")

Just saying "The best bosses are..." is dictating terms.

[The Grand Nudger]

Isn't it amusing that the people who think that they;re on the bosses shortlist of real good boys are the only ones who think that it might be a good idea to proclaim that boss king for life?  It's almost as if this "religion" of yours is more a self interested transaction than anything else.

I'll let you all in on a little secret. You're all on the bosses shitlist. Embarrassments, truly broken and pathetic, exactly as you imagine yourselves to be...just not in the way you think.

[Chad32]

What do you think the end result of parenting is supposed to be?

I'm disagreeing with the assertion that god doesn't grant us any autonomy.

Well there's plenty of evidence from the bible that says I'm right. I mean, Adam and Eve get kicked out of Eden for disobeying him once. A guy gets stones to death for picking up sticks on the wrong day of the week. Moses and Jonah say pick someone else when Yahweh wants them to do something, and he forces them anyway. Not to mention Moses gets banned from the promise land for striking a rock, instead of talking to it. Where's the autonomy here?

[Jehanne]

One of the (many) things I don't understand about Christianity is the notion of wanting Jesus to be your lord. To want to genuflect before him and be ruled over by him. As an American, the idea of a central, non-democratically elected leader is completely anathema to my beliefs, and it confuses me that so many self-proclaimed patriots here seem so willing to be lorded over in a divine sense. IMO, a beneficial dictator is still a dictator.

So, Christians of AF, why do you want to be lorded over by Jesus? Why is this something you desire?

Because I believe Jesus is God, and I believe God is goodness and love. Also, "I am the way and the truth and the life", and all that. I want to surrender myself to those things because I think they are the ultimate fulfillment.

People used to have the same feeling about kings. The early Romans were no different; Caesar was believed to be divine.

I suppose that everyone needs a leader, even an imaginary one.

[Catholic_Lady]

What do you think the end result of parenting is supposed to be?

I'm disagreeing with the assertion that god doesn't grant us any autonomy.

This is something I've noticed here. Some will complain about God having given us free will because it allows us to do bad things. Meanwhile there is complaint about God being a tyrant who won't let us do what we want lol.