Board Thread:Community Engagement/@comment-29487450-20161006215517/@comment-1777104-20161010225544

HorridInsidious "shouted":


 * SO, RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, YOUR GOD HATES YOU AND HUMILIATES YOU, AND YOU ARE TOO SCARED TO ADMIT IT.

First, if it weren't for the arguments above it, this statement might be almost correct. Strictly speaking, changing just one or two words would sound like a warning from the Bible.

What I mean by this is that "religious people" were often the problem in ancient times. Things have not changed too much in modern times either. People going under the assumption of being God's people are indeed "hated" by the God they claim to serve. God hates hypocrisy. Mere religiosity is never enough. The prophet Micah plainly saw this, preaching God's words when he said:


 * He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? -- Micah 6:8

Prior to that verse, he had spoken of all the religious ceremony -- things he had commanded -- that were just a show to man. Meanwhile, they sinned privately in all manner of ways. Such sin was easily seen by God.

These "religious men" were deplorable. And they were ultimately humiliated. However, they were not "scared" of God. They were scornful, even blasphemous, but the "God" they served was an imaginary provisional "god" of their own minds. Much like the idols of other gods, theirs had no eyes to see, no ears to hear and no voice to speak.

But, then, that is not what you meant, based on your four points. Let us revisit your points.

(1) People who do what God wants go to Heaven; those who don't, go to Hell.
 * Logically, those who do what God wants are loved, not hated. "His people" are not humiliated if they are rewarded for obedience.

(2) God can't tolerate you being different than what he had planned.


 * Logic dictates that if God knows everything, then his plan will be "perfect." Besides, He actively works things out for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

(3) All over the world bad things happen, and God does nothing.


 * When bad things happen, God is right in the middle of it, bringing either judgment to sinners or trial to believers. Everything is according to HIS plan.

(4) People are not supposed to question God.


 * That is just a false statement. Ultimately, God will answer all questions. He expects us to ask, and answers come in his own timing.