Why a loving God?

[chakka35]

How did the idea come about that the Judaeo/Christian ‘God’ is a loving god?

The atrocities committed against humanity in the OT by God have been well-rehearsed on this site, as have all his other dreadful acts and attitudes. No love there.

He is mentioned a lot in the NT but he doesn’t do anything in particular of a loving nature.

In modern times ‘acts of God’ are generally human tragedies such as hurricanes, famines, droughts and so on. So where is this love?

(As usual, I have to explain that this question is not a challenge or a provocation, merely yet another effort to try to understand the workings of the religious mind.)

[jake-the-peg]

I think the key idea is "grace" which I only recently discoverred means unwarrented favour. Thus a God is Loving because despite the sins of man still forgives him.

He does not intervene in those sins as man's free will must play out despite all the Earthly suffering that causes, all is finally set right by God's grace.

(Of course personally I think that is all a huge heap of steaming tosh more designed to keep people in their place than to provide deep insight into the way the world works - But I think that's how the logic goes)

[naomi24]

Apparently he isn't so gracious that he is willing to overlook our misdemeanours, or to understand our human failings and frailties, unless we beg his forgiveness though, Jake.

As for understanding the workings of the religious mind, Chakka, I recently saw a sign above the door of a church school that reads 'Bring us your children and we will teach them to fear God'. Not much love there. It seems God has taught his flock to follow in his footsteps.

[Ankou]

god only favours the righteous isnit ?
so his love is only for those that adhere to the strictest of regimes and unfailing adoration, and presumably never ever ever ever quesiton his motives, methods and means.

i think only jesus tells us that god is loving, but then he would wouldn't he. i say the same about my old man. even if others don't agree !

[Lonnie]

The God of the Old Testament, was a cruel unforgiving God, if you didn't do what he said, he punished you, and thats putting it mildly.

That God had to have had the biggest ego that'll ever be seen, he created man just to worship him.

'Thou shalt not worship any other Gods but me'

Digress from that, and you were possibly dead.

And this apparently, is the same good, kind, forgiving God of the New Testament.

[jno]

Jesus in the NT - who is generally loving and understanding, except toward moneychangers and fig trees - more or less takes the place of God in the OT. Father, son and holy spirit are all one, remember. So I don't know about the Judaeo part - I would have thought their God was still a bit stroppy. But from a Christian point of view, God has become altogether mellower since becoming a father (as many males do).

[Ankou]

just as well he's a geezer then eh

[Seadragon]

Is this the question you mean? I feel sad when people knock 'God', I really like him. But I'm not a religious person Chakka. I really don't like religion. I think the essence of it may have been good but it is misinterpreted by man who is imperfect. No-body out there can say that they are perfect, whoever they are. There's no such thing as a perfect human being. I can't answer your question from a religious viewpoint. And the reference to human tragedies is that of human nature and natural disasters are that of the natural world. - A good documentary yesterday on the Cambodia lake, carbon dioxide killing of 2,000 villagers - nothing to do with God. And a good one on the Black Holes on the other side.

But don't you find that God in a religious context seems to be absent? Correct me if I'm wrong as I don't read religion. My belief is the opposite - more philosophical. He works within us through our Souls to guide us through our lives. Shows us doors etc, but our chose if we see them or not.

[Seadragon]

Just to add - From personal experience, I found that, for example if you do 8 good things for someone and you don't do the 9th - they will always remember the 9th act- the one you didn't do regardless of the others.

[naomi24]

If you don't mind me asking, what do you really like about him, Seadragon?

[Seadragon]

Naomi, I like that he's there. I wish he would listen to me abit more though! It's just a fanciful belief. I believe more in Souls and simply just 'top' it off with a 'God'. A presence not an image. I have alot of 'acquaintances', I would say, although they wouldn't be happy to hear that. Friends - truly - I only count 2. And that's enough. I don't like sharing my personal business and I have to say that even those 2 don't know every intimate detail about me. So I derive great comfort from knowing that 'God' is the only one who knows me and he doesn't judge or criticise. Not that I do anything bad. He's just there. He fulfills what in my reality I lack - support I suppose. And he provides strength.

[naomi24]

Oh, I see what you mean. Thanks for answering. So this God you're talking about isn't the same one as the main character in the Bible and the Koran then?

[Seadragon]

No Naomi, I don't follow Christianity or Islam.

[naomi24]

Ah, right. Thanks for clarifying that.