Don’t take personally whether your child adopts your spiritual views or not. It’s their journey. Don’t assume they are being rebellious. There are personal or intellectual reasonable objections to not believe in God. Be careful how you portray God. Our mental views of God shape our attitudes toward God. Have a plan how you want to turn your child toward and not away from God. See link below for more elaboration.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
What do you think of when you hear the word Atheist, gay, transgender, Muslim, Jew, Christian, black, white or a host of other labels we put on people? Usually, we think of something specific and usually something we have been taught or heard over the years. It depends on where you heard it or who taught you, but a lot of times what we think is something negative in one way or another.
With all the prejudices, fear, hate and misunderstanding among people it is sad that we forget behind each one of these labels there is a human being.
I know that not all people believe there is a God or they believe in different gods. Although none of us can actually prove one way or another as to what we believe about God, we are free to choose for ourselves what to believe. It is basically a matter of belief or faith or scientific understanding. Yet, I personally believe there is a God and we are all created in the image of God. A God who loves each and every one of us no matter what label humanity has put upon us. Each of us deserves love, respect, acceptance and the basic human rights everyone should enjoy.
Just because we accept one another and respect each other does not mean we always agree or always condone the actions of another, but we should be able to treat each other with kindness and respect even in our disagreements.
Rather than profile people into a particular group based on the label they are given, we should remember the individual person behind the label.
As human beings we all want to live a happy, satisfying life. Each of us have worries, bills and every day obligations, just as each of us wants to find love, be loved, be accepted and happy.
We will not all see things the same way. Each of us have our own personality, belief system, lifestyle, desires and things we enjoy that makes us happy. We cannot expect everyone to be the same, believe the same or interpret things the same. We are each uniquely made and we each have our own path to walk throughout this life.
I know many in the Christian world will not agree with this outlook on life. Many feel it is our job to point out the mistakes and sins of others as a way to witness to them. I do not see it that way. In the Bible we are told the Spirit will convict the world of sin, so I do not believe it is our job to convict others of sin. Besides, what is sin to one person may not be to another. It is not our job to be judging others. We are called to love one another even in our differences.
Jesus came to show us what God is really like and Jesus was not a condemning person. He loved and associated with many people who the religious crowd would not even think about associating. Jesus was perfect and never sinned so he had the right to condemn people and judge them about their mistakes, yet he never did.
The Bible says Jesus came to proclaim the good news, yet when we only condemn and point out the mistakes of others, that does not seem like very good news.
I believe God loves each of us and wants us to follow the Spirit. Even when we do not always make the best choices God still loves us and wants to have fellowship with us. As followers of God, I feel we are to do the same, love God and love others each day. Look past the labels society has placed on people and love the human being that God created and loves.
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Michael Donahoe was added as a writer for Done with Religion as his views fit perfectly with those that are shared on this site. He and his wife have been outside the walls of religion for fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com/ and https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/
Claims made by Christian leaders about God, according to their interpretation of the Bible, keeps believers and unbelievers distant from God. Our relationship with God cannot exceed our views of God. Even if a Book is inspired, interpretations are not. Few admit that their interpretation may be wrong. The only God worth believing in must be a perfect Lover. God surely is like the perfect human being—defined by love, empathy, and moral perfection. We cannot know God perfectly, but we can use our moral intuitions to guide our understanding.
God is not a hellish or sadistic
Biblical scholars don’t agree a literal Hell is a reality in the Bible. See here. A terrorist’s God seeks to kill infidels in this life, not waiting for the afterlife. God is nothing like such a god by burning/torturing forever infidels, only waiting until the afterlife. A loving God can’t be a terroristic God. My God gave me a brain to imagine what a loving God does to those who don’t believe while living a short time here on earth. Who does God allow in heaven?
No, God doesn’t just let Christians into heaven
The majority of people born into the world didn’t have a Bible or know of Jesus. Most people accept or rebel against a certain religion based on the family born into whether it is Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. A child sexually abuse by their father may struggle to accept a God who is most often betrayed as our Father in Heaven. No human or spiritual parent brings children into the world requiring their eternal destination be based on circumstances out of one’s control. A loving God can’t be a God of chance! Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Did Jesus really mean God only saves those who accept Jesus? This verse could mean Jesus’ way of love is the best path toward God.
We don’t know what happens after life here on earth. No one can claim the Bible, subject to fallible interpretation, has the definitive answer. We are free to speculate what a loving God might do. It is reasonable to believe a loving God that is able to create will take forever, if necessary, to save everyone from themselves. God only wants to help you become the person you deep down desire to come. Careful the regrets you, your family, and friends will feel at the end of your life if not pursuing a godly life now. Careful that our character developed here on earth may make the change process longer and more painful in the life to come. See what-god-may-really-be-like.com/what-religion-goes-to-heaven/
No, God doesn’t hate or condemn, gay people
Please stop saying “God loves the sinner hates the sin.” Being gay isn’t a sin. Why would God condemn gays when they can no more chose who they love than straights can. Why would anyone choose to be gay when faced with condemnation, bigotry. We all know the psychological harm when one must hide their sexuality. Biblical scholars who respect the Bible don’t believe Scriptures condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. Since we can’t claim our interpretations are inspired by God, shouldn’t we choose the least harmful view? See here for more rants on God loves gays.
No, God doesn’t ordain men to be in authority over women
Does God really call women to not serve equally with men in marriage and in the church? I am not sure why any fair-minded person would think women can’t fulfill the same roles as men unless believing a Book about God teaches otherwise. The most qualified or gifted should surely lead a company. Why not in church? It is a big deal! Views on gender roles effects directly half of the human population. Men in authority over women whether in public, private, or church life is conducive for abuse at the hands of men.
We can’t know if biblical writers always wrote what they think and influence by their patriarchal culture, thus what God thinks. But, even if believing writers were inspired/told by God, Paul a main writer of the New Testament can be interpreted to suggest or not suggest hierarchical roles. See here. Let’s choose the least harmful biblical interpretation. Galatians 3:28 may be God’s ideal: “There is neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave or free, neither male nor female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).”
God can’t be all-powerful and in complete control
God cannot be all-powerful or controlling and be true to God’s nature. See here. A God who is truly loving would not be a God of control but rather one who allows for free will and authentic relationships. Logically, how can God be all-powerful and humans have some freedom/power? The belief of God being in complete control makes God responsible for evil.
Suffering (prayer unanswered) may be because God cannot intervene in evil or suffering without human help. Even the Bible claims love does not insist on its own way (I Cor 13:5). Claiming God allows evil is not a better solution. A God who supposedly allows evil but doesn’t do anything to intervene is no different than a parent who stands by and watches their child suffer. Evil and suffering in the world may be because God can only intervene when there is human cooperation, both by evildoers and non-evildoers.
The good news for many is that God can’t be responsible for evil or their suffering. I have brain cancer. I don’t have to believe God doesn’t care or that God could do something and doesn’t. God knows and empathizes with us in our suffering. God grieves with us. God can empower, inspire, and accompany us. God can influence us to follow Jesus’ example which can make for a much grander world. God doesn’t derive pleasure by seeing us in pain but the unfortunate truth in a free world is suffering happens. Lean on God and others for emotional support and encouragement in difficult times. See what-god-may-really-be-like.com/evil-and-suffering/
Where is God?
Billions in the past have believed in the possibility of a Creator. They couldn’t all be lunatics. Nations can only have spiritual revivals when their view of God possibly changes. Do you want to be more “in” with God? I am not sure there is anything to lose in beginning a journey of faith if the desire is to live life with fewer regrets. Personally, the biggest reason for being a God-follower is the inspiration and encouragement I sense in striving to be a better human being. Give God’s influence in your life a chance if so inclined. Moral values aren’t just found in a supposed inspired Book. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. We all seem to know the question we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others perfectly? Or am I loving others like I want to be loved.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
When we talk about good works, many of us can get confused and think that we need to do good works to earn our salvation. This way of thinking is totally wrong. Good works do not help us earn salvation or pay for anything with God. Good works will be the result of our salvation that was given to us by the grace of God. Yet, good works have nothing to do with earning anything.
We read in the Bible that faith without works is dead. Many people think of works as going to church, reading the Bible, witnessing, being honest, treating others respectfully, along with many other actions we consider good works. These things are all well and good, but I think this verse actually means something a little different.
In this verse Jesus is saying that if we believe in Him, we will do the works that He did, even greater ones. Obviously, we cannot do anything on our own, but by faith and the power of the Spirit within us. Only by the power of the Spirit can we do the works of Jesus.
When we think of the works that Jesus did, we think of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We think of empathy, compassion, mercy, caring for others and selflessness. Jesus did these things on a daily basis with people as a normal part of His day, and usually in ways that were not exceptional or highly dramatic.
I believe we all have different callings and different interests. Each of us as followers of Jesus can use those callings and interests (good works) to share the love of God and do the works that Jesus did, through faith, all to be a help and encouragement to others.
Whether we are doing a specific ministry or just going about our daily routine, we can let God work in us through the power of the Spirit. We can live in such a way that the good works that are produced will touch others and show them the love of God.
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Michael Donahoe was added as a writer for Done with Religion as his views fit perfectly with those that are shared on this site. He and his wife have been outside the walls of religion for fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com/ and https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/
Clicking on the link below will take you to an internet summary of my blog. Doing so will lead you to article links that support the stances I take. Or you can search “what god may really be like Mike Edwards.” I agree with its summaries. Maybe you can do a similar search to find summaries for your blogs. what+igod+may+really+be+like+MIke+Edwards&summary=1&conversation
Mike Edwards, writing under the title “What God May Really Be Like,” suggests that our understanding of God significantly influences our relationship with God and how we treat others.
He argues that a perfect, loving God is worth believing in, and that such a God is likely similar to a perfect parent—other-directed, patient, kind, and hopeful, rather than authoritarian or judgmental.
Edwards contends that our image of God can dictate our actions, and if we perceive God as harsh or punitive, we may emulate that in our own behavior. He emphasizes that God may not be the warlike or wrathful figure some interpretations suggest, pointing to biblical examples like Abraham and Moses, where God listens and adapts rather than asserting absolute authority.
Edwards also challenges the idea that God is a sadistic torturer or homophobic, asserting that such views contradict the universal moral intuition to treat others as we wish to be treated. He believes that God’s love is akin to the love of a parent who desires a genuine relationship, celebrates our victories, and remains hopeful even in failure.
Furthermore, Edwards posits that God may be more like the perfect human being—defined by love, empathy, and moral perfection—since we cannot know God perfectly but can use our moral intuitions to guide our understanding.
He also questions the compatibility of an all-powerful and all-loving God, suggesting that genuine freedom in creation may limit God’s power, making the problem of evil a legitimate concern.
Ultimately, Edwards encourages open discussion about God’s nature, believing that a God who is loving, relational, and not controlling is more consistent with human experience and moral intuition.
Another search says:
Edwards, in his writings, explores the nature of God and how human understanding of God influences both personal relationships and societal actions. He suggests that our image of God can dictate our actions, and if we believe God is punitive, we may emulate that in our treatment of others.
Edwards also emphasizes that a perfect God’s love cannot be controlling, and thus, the concept of God being all-powerful may be flawed.
He argues that a God who is truly loving would not be a God of control but rather one who allows for free will and authentic relationships.
Edwards also discusses the idea that our understanding of God shapes our attitudes toward God and our relationship with Him, suggesting that the more we respect our earthly parents, the closer we are to them, and similarly, our relationship with God cannot exceed our views of God.
Furthermore, Edwards suggests that the Bible is not the definitive way of knowing what God is like, as it requires interpretation and scholars do not always agree on the meaning of the same passages.
He also suggests that the only God worth believing in or having a relationship with must be a perfect Lover, and that God cannot be all-powerful or controlling and be true to God’s nature.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
Many rightly wonder if what Christian leaders claim about God is true. Who can blame them when God supposedly created a place such as Hell, to torture forever those who don’t believe in God a short time here on earth. In these Posts I will propose a question, which can paint one’s view of God, and then will provide a link what I have written before about the topic. I try to keep a page length with bold subtitles. It concerns a question about God that I wish people would be willing to discuss about God, so they could draw their own conclusions than what many Christians claim to be true about God.
Many would argue the main action required in Christianity is to forgive others because God has forgiven us. I have written that isn’t necessarily biblical or best emotionally. See link below. Advising a child of parental sexual abuse, in which the parent denies guilt and not seek forgiveness, isn’t always the best advice or the best path toward less bitterness. When an abuser doesn’t openly acknowledge such actions can enable the abuse to continue toward others. Amends aren’t always possible. When a loved one is murdered, positive memories of a loved one robbed by the guilty can’t be restored. We must stop guilting victims, according to the Bible. Those hurt must seek the mind of God what actions in relationship difficulties lead to your best interest in the long run in a world full of disappointments. You may discover God is empathetic!
To those who demand forgiving others despite no admission of guilt or regret, to be consistent you would have to assume when all meet their Creator after death and deny God and reject God’s universal accepted morals – that God will simple open the gate and welcome them despite denial.
I had a sibling betray me over a decade ago. I am not the only family member that felt this way, so it ain’t me! I never felt obligated or inclined to forgive because he denied any wrong doing; he never felt necessary to ask for forgiveness. For whatever reason a few days ago, maybe after listening to a sermon online, I silently forgave him I think for the first time. To my knowledge, I have never been shallowed up in bitterness or angry, as if forgiveness best for my health. I also didn’t think my forgiveness is best for his health, so he might not victimized others by thinking his actions were acceptable. And his kids will follow in his footsteps if he doesn’t break the cycle. One can forgive silently in other words. To each his own with God. God loves you!
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
We hear the word fundamentalism often in the Christian world. I actually grew up as a fundamentalist, but never realized that was what I was because I never put much thought into all the different terms and labels. I just loved God and went to church because that was the way I thought we lived the Christian life.
When I looked up the word fundamentalism in the dictionary I found the following definitions: 1. a conservative movement in theology among nineteenth and twentieth-century Christians. Fundamentalists believe that the statements in the Bible are literally true. 2. in Christianity the belief that every word of the Bible is divinely inspired and therefore true. 3. a religious movement characterized by a strict belief in the literal interpretation of religious texts, especially within American Protestantism and Islam; the beliefs held by those in this movement; strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles.
Now that I know what fundamentalist means, I no longer believe I would be considered one. My views, beliefs and interpretations have changed so much over the years, especially since leaving the organized church. For some reason I never felt comfortable asking questions while in the organization. I just took what the pastor said as gospel truth and never questioned anything. Being outside the walls of religion I am letting all those questions come out and seeking truth from the Spirit of God rather than from a pastor.
Due to strick belief that the Bible is inerrant, divinely inspired and should not be questioned, I believe fundamentalism leads more to separation, condemnation and being judgmental. It seems to me being so set on specific doctrines, beliefs and interpretations can prevent us from asking questions, learning, accepting and loving others.
Are my thoughts a popular way of looking at the Christian life? Of course not! I grew up in the organized church from a very young age and spent over fifty years in it. I also used to think everything depended on my works such as attending church, tithing, doing good works and reading the Bible and believing it was perfect, completely literal and the only way God spoke to us today. There are many people still doing all this and they sincerely love God and think this is the way we are to serve God. Yet being outside of this setting, I have seen what is for me a better way. A way of depending on the Spirit within to teach and guide us. A way that loves and accepts others even when they do not see things the same.
Today the term fundamentalist Christian seems to have more of a meaning of being judgmental and unaccepting of others’ views due to the strick adherence to biblical law. I believe this is completely different from what Jesus taught and what God is like.
Jesus was not a fundamentalist; he was not even a Christian. Jesus was the personification of God who is love. Even those writings from the Old Testament where men wrote from their beliefs, ideas, interpretations and what they thought about God were shown to be wrong when Jesus arrived. He showed us that God is not a god of vengeance and hatred, but a God who loves all of us.
We are to love God and love one another. Loving our neighbor does not mean just loving those who live next door, or loving those who believe like we believe. Our neighbor is everyone else in the world. Based on my experience, it seems many fundamentalists reject those who see things differently and prefer to stay away from those who do not believe the same.
I would rather be known as a follower of Jesus rather than a fundamentalist Christian. The time of following the law and following rules and set doctrines of men have come to an end. We are now living by grace and by loving one another. The Bible should not be used as a weapon against those who Christian people think are wrong. It is a book that tells us about God who is loving and kind toward every human being.
I have actually become quite tired of using labels at all. We are all human beings who are loved by God. We should all be treated with love, respect, acceptance and have the same rights as everyone else. God did not create some people better than others; we are all created in the image of God and are loved by God equally.
There are many views and interpretations I grew up learning in the fundamentalist church that I no longer accept. I certainly have not lost my belief in or love for God, yet many interpretations that were taught by men and women in the institution I now find wrong and and some even unChrist-like.
Rather than adhere to a set of rules and institutional-taught beliefs, we are to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. Learn to hear his voice and let your life be a daily communication of his love to others.
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Michael Donahoe was added as a writer for Done with Religion as his views fit perfectly with those that are shared on this site. He and his wife have been outside the walls of religion for fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com/ and https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/
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