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Archive for the ‘Bible’ Category

Believing God Condemns Gays May Be The Worse False Belief About God!

Posted in Acceptance of Others, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

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. I have written  here main beliefs that are drawing people away from God, though inclined to have a relationship.

Those who read my blogs often are probably sick of me ranting against those who condemn gays in God’s name according to the Bible. See God Loves Gays Many are open to more of a relationship with God, but not if Christian leaders keep implying being gay is a sin. That makes no sense to many of us who believe God can be known through one’s moral intuitions. Please stop with “God loves the sinner, but hates the sin.” God doesn’t hate the sin (gay) if being gay isn’t a sin!

Many believe God condemns gays because of a supposed inspired Book 

Many believe that God inspired biblical writers/editors to always be right about God, but inspiration can’t be proven. See here. So, if writers wrote God condemns gays according to the Bible, then Christians feel obligated to do the same. But, even if you believe God inspired biblical writers/editors to always be right about God, many may not know that biblical scholars who respect the Bible don’t interpret Scriptures to condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. One’s interpretation may be wrong. Stay open-minded!

Why would anyone choose a lifestyle subject to rejection and abuse? I didn’t decide one day to be attracted to the opposite sex. Neither do gays decide to be attracted to the same sex. We can at least say science isn’t conclusive why we have desires for the same or opposite sex (Karen Keen, Scripture, Ethics And The Possibility Of Same-Sex Relationships, Chapter 7). It is a myth that sexual choices are always the result of some trauma or rebellion in our lives. If we don’t know why one has feelings for the same sex, why speculate or judge rather than love instead.

How can we know God then? 

What would you believe about God and gays if you didn’t have a Bible? It is a fair question. The majority of people born into this world didn’t possess a copy of the Bible or even heard of Jesus. I doubt a Creator would only communicate through such means. There are universal morals that most agree on such as don’t murder, don’t abuse, follow the golden rule, etc. Why wouldn’t a Creator create us to think like They do.

My moral intuitions tell me that God is not bias against females, people of color, or gays. Shouldn’t we choose the least harmful view? If you think there is a .0001% possibility that science proves sexual orientation isn’t a choice, why would we judge? Anyway, I am convinced the Bible is silent on monogamous same sex relationships, while supporting relationships that show love and concern for one another.

Why Christian leaders don’t change their views but must for the sake of God’s reputation 

There are several reasons many won’t change their views publicly. One reason as stated is because of one’s view of the Bible and their interpretation. Leaders and others who believe in an inspired Bible fail to recognize or admit their interpretation may be wrong. If they have to admit uncertainty, they may fear others will question their abilities to lead. Certainty is more comforting to many. If leaders and Christians admit they may be wrong about one belief for decades, they may think others will doubt their many other supposed inspired beliefs. I am not judging. I thought for a while my interpretations were always the correct one. See the sin of certainty

What now! 

Who chooses to be gay when one has to hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility? Science isn’t conclusive why we have desires for the same or opposite sex. I am begging you to not condemn gays because the Bible supposedly does. Christian leaders and laypeople – show some courage and change your stance. You may not agree with my interpretations, but let’s both admit our interpretations could be wrong.  Listen to each gay’s story and love them like you would want to be loved if you had the same journey. If we stopped condemning gays in God’s name, we would reveal more the loving God we believe in. I believe changing one’s false belief that God condemns one for being gay would move hundreds of thousands toward God.

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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

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Does God Really Take Us in Their Time – Charlie Kirk!

Posted in Acceptance, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

When Charlie Kirk was recently assassinated, it has been said or implied that God is somehow responsible for taking Charlie in his own time. The problem with this thought is that it dissolves others from evil and lays evil at the feet of God.

Why didn’t God intervene miraculously? 

It has been claimed that God supposedly intervene in saving Trump, but God didn’t save Corey Comperatore. Mr. Comperatore was the gentleman who shielded his family from being shot and was killed at the July 13 rally. Miracle proclamations only lead to implying God didn’t care to save his life for some unknown/mysterious reason. It implies God only cares to spare certain people from being murdered or raped but not others.  I doubt God’s love is so arbitrary.

Many Bible-folks assume God is all-powerful, which demands an answer to why God displays Their power or not. Why God acts arbitrarily isn’t easy to answer if God is truly loving, unless you always blame unanswered prayer due to one’s sins. Often, it is proclaimed God’s ways are higher than ours and God is working it all out for good. Tell that to a woman raped! Logically how can God be all-powerful and humans have some freedom/power? Suffering (prayer unanswered) may be because God cannot intervene single-handedly. Controlling love is an oxymoron. God can’t physically interfere in evil or suffering without human help. See here. Therefore, God doesn’t determine when someone leaves this earth. It was not Charlie’s time to go.

Who is responsible for evil 

God isn’t responsible. Guns aren’t to blame. It’s the person who pulls the trigger. It takes time for police to show up. One trained and carrying a gun can often prevent more deaths or their own death. How do you keep bad guys from getting guns illegally. There too many guns to do an all-out ban. At least let’s have an open debate. Charlie Kirk was murdered in cold blood while encouraging conversations with students on a college campus who disagreed with him.

I think there is an overlooked cause in Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Whoever pulled the trigger is totally responsible. But, many morally or mentally challenged people are provoked. Many fan the flames of hate. Some polls suggest millions think political assassination is a solution to those you differ with. Where are such thoughts encouraged? False name-calling can provoke one thinking they are doing the world a favor of ridding of certain individuals. Kirk and others are called Nazis and compared to Hitler. Hitler was condemned for torturing millions of Jews. Is this really true of Mr. Kirk or anyone these days called Hitler? Why are people so afraid to debate and discuss their differences? That is all Charlie Kirk did on college campus. 

What is the solution going forward in such a divided nation?

  • I believe there is a spiritual solution. The world is surely a better place when more people are being influenced by a spiritual force that encourages the golden rule. I am inspired being a Jesus-follower who taught this action
  • We must respect freedom of speech. Censorship, unless one is citing violence toward another person or people, is not what a republic/democratic society is all above. We must become more open to discussing our differences. All Charlie did was go on campus to have discussions about different opinions. Why are people so opposed to debating their views, instead of trying to censor opinions? Censoring is what really is anti-democratic
  • Stop with name calling. One isn’t a heretic for having a different interpretation of the Bible than you. One isn’t a misinformer that questions your science or health views – truth in these arenas is a pursuit. It isn’t science if there isn’t debate. It was argued it was misformation to claim Covid vaccines didn’t stop infection and transmission. Hopefully, those who thought that have changed their minds. In politics stop with calling everything a conspiracy. Attack policies not people

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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

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Can We Stop Saying “Biblical Values” – What Are They Anyway?

Posted in Acceptance of Others, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , on September 23, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

If you read my weekly Post you are probably tired of my harping on the Bible. The word Bible has occurred over a hundred times in the title of my Post in the past decade or so. See here. Honestly, I sometimes share some of the same content, just change the Post title to look at the topic asking a different question. Christian leaders assume to much when saying we as a nation or people should adhere to biblical values! We all don’t agree on what those values are when interpreting the Bible, and we shouldn’t push supposed principles on those who don’t have the same beliefs regarding God or the Bible.

 Where do our rights come from?

There is debate in the public arena where our rights come from. America Founders personal beliefs were that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The founders rebelled against the idea that our rights come from government or man, to avoid government overreach regarding freedom of religion, freedom of speech.

The truth is if there is a Creator, God or universal laws should be the same – rape is evil regardless. I would express it this way – Our right come from God/Creator or universal laws. It depends on if what your personal beliefs are in a Creator. Our Constitution does guarantee freedoms concerning religion, Government cannot restrict the press or rights of individual to speak freely. 

We must respect freedom of belief in our language toward others

It is often implied supposed biblical values are a mandate for all. The presence of so much evil in the world, without God’s interference, suggests God’s respect for freedom of belief. Force loved is an oxymoron. A relationship with God is an invitation. It can’t be genuine love unless there is the freedom to enter such a relationship. For leaders to suggest we are a Christian nation is to disregard individual freedom of belief. This seems to imply not mandating Ten Commandments for public display. This doesn’t lead to a lawless nation as there are universal moral principles all should believe in regardless whether contained in their holy book or not.

Truth is Christians don’t agree on what biblical values are

Christian leaders of companies or religious institutes often claim they are guided or adhere to biblical principles. This implies biblical understandings are agreed upon by all who follow the Bible, and non-followers have less than ideal morals. Ancient literature subject to human interpretation (you could be wrong) cannot be the definitive word on truth. Besides, it can’t be proven God inspired all written down about God in their cherished book. I’m not convinced the writers always understood God perfectly. See here.  Biblical scholars who respect Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible teaches about many moral values – women rights, gay condemnation, and the afterlife.  See here.  See here.  See here.

 What values can we agree on?

Common moral sense isn’t the enemy. Good and evil existed before any Holy Book came into play. Universal values include: kindness, goodness, thankfulness, self-control, love, etc. How are these just biblical principles? You don’t have to be a Christian or reader of the Bible to know those are simply humane principles. The problem is that supposed biblical values thrust on all are: spanking of children, capital punishment, that God condemns gays, that mutual submission in marriage isn’t biblical, etc. Biblical scholars don’t agree what the Bible teaches on these morals and others.  

No, truth isn’t determined just on feelings. A murderer or sexual predator cannot claim innocence because they felt their actions were justified. Laws aren’t possible if there aren’t differences between good and evil such as rape, physical abuse, etc. Some truth is self-evident.   

How to be together in a diverse world

Faith in God is a freedom or invitation not demand. That is how a God of love acts!. We can be respectful of others who believe differently. We don’t need to imply Truth only comes from one’s view of their Holy Book. I would personally share that my God only seeks to love you like you wish you were always able to love others. This is the God you can believe in to live a purposeful, meaningful live. I am a better friend, husband, father because of a belief in my God.

See further rants on the Bible here.

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 

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Which Religion Leads To Heaven?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , on September 1, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

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.  There are certain beliefs Christians often declare that understandably are stumbling blocks for others wanting a relationship with God. We are told God is a hellish, sadistic torturer according to beliefs while here on earth, but even humans wouldn’t create Hell for their worse enemies. Hell is a myth. See here.  Another misbelief is that God condemns gays. I doubt it. See here. Another stumbling block is the claim that only Christians go to heaven because of certain beliefs.

Whatever you believe, I hope that we all can love one another despite our differences. Love should not require us to agree on everything

What did Jesus really say?

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? Keep in mind the majority of people born into this world have never heard of Jesus or had a Bible. This verse could easily be interpreted to mean Jesus’ way of life is the best path toward God. The path to God is through love. (See God After Deconstruction, Oord/Fuller Chapter 9). We Christians need to be less condemning and more open to God’s love and message to people of all religions.

What beliefs is required to get into Heaven?

Even Christians don’t all agree necessary beliefs for God to let you enter heaven after death. Christianity has thousands of denominations who have different beliefs. Interpretation of the Bible is not an infallible/exact science. Many agree to understand Jesus is to understand God. Jesus in his interactions didn’t seem to demand a certain prayer to repeat for salvation. Jesus in choosing disciples simply asked to follow him – Jesus’ path to love. The disciples didn’t believe many of Jesus’ claims until after his resurrection. If you saw someone come back from the dead, you might believe too.

Jesus came to advise how to start living here on earth, not what awaited in the afterlife, when asked how to have eternal life. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk10:25-37). Jesus understood loving God leads to loving your neighbor. One, if so inclined, can ask for God’s help in living a meaningful life here on earth. See here for more of Jesus’ interactions with others. So, many agree on actions encouraged for a godly life. Please tell me you don’t believe killing infidels in this life, opposing freedom of beliefs, is godly. Neither did Jesus in the afterlife.

Don’t I have to least believe in God and Jesus’ resurrection?

God isn’t a God of chance! The majority of people born into this world never had a Bible? The truth is the majority of people accept or rebel against a certain religion based on the family born into whether it be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. A child who was sexually abuse by their father may struggle to accept a God who is most often betrayed as our Father in Heaven. Do you really think a loving God is going to judge all based on their beliefs during a short time here on earth influenced by so many random factors?

I am not sure if Jesus was God in human form or God’s representative here on earth. Jesus did seem to have a lot in common what seems true about a loving God. I am convinced Jesus’ resurrection isn’t legend and has solid historical verification, but others may not. Jesus told followers He was coming back from the dead and they didn’t believe Him despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles beforehand. They only believed after seeing Jesus resurrected with their own eyes. I would like to think more of us if we witness a man or woman coming back from the grave, after killed on a cross, would believe in that person’s message. Don’t let doubts prevent taking steps toward God.

Isn’t God love and a  perfect parent’s love the same?

Your religion doesn’t matter here on earth. I am convinced those who enter heaven meet with God and a decision is made together. Want to live with God’s ways? You probably will be welcomed by God. God’s love surely is the same as supreme parents. Love gets excited when we do well and make a difference in the lives of others. God’s love anticipates, hopes for my success, believes in me, pulls for me even when failing, because I do the same for my children. God even loves doubters. Parents bring children into the world hoping their children freely reciprocate their love for authentic relationships. My kid can reject me all they want. When they express regret or beliefs in my ways whenever, I am all ears. Why would God’s love be any different?

Want to go to heaven. Start living now according to God’s ways. You will likely have fewer regrets in life after leaving this earth. Or take a chance your character won’t form here on earth and you do the unthinkable – when you meet God in the afterlife – you reject God’s ways.

There are good and bad religions

I am convinced Jesus of all people and prophets was the most like the true God. Decide from those who declare to be God’s messenger who is the most like a loving God. It should be investigated if Mohammed married a 6-year old and had intercourse when the child was 9. If true I am not following Mohammed. Jesus said “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Mt 18:6). Jesus’ message rings true to me of a prophet to follow. I reject any prophet or God who rejects freedom of beliefs while here on earth or be killed. God doesn’t even do that in the afterlife aka hell.

How can we proceed without required beliefs? 

Billions in the past have believed in the possibility of a Creator. They couldn’t all be lunatics. 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.

See link below for further Posts concerning the afterlife and who is going to heaven

Which Religion Leads To Heaven

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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 

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Is It Wrong To Say I Don’t Know

Posted in Bible, christian living, religion, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 27, 2025|

by Michael Donahoe

For those of us who grew up church, we usually had the feeling that we were not to ask questions. I can remember I felt odd if I had a question about God or my faith, and if I actually asked it, I felt I would be seen as someone who did not have enough faith. Worse than that, people may think I was not even a Christian.

I know I am not the only one. Have you ever felt that you needed to know all the answers? When a non-believer questions your faith or asks something about the Bible, do you feel you have to know the answer and be able to explain it to them?

I know I have always felt that I needed to know all the answers and I should not question my faith. Although the more I think about it and the more I run into people who have all sorts of questions, I have come to realize that I certainly do not have all the answers.

Even my wife and I talk and we have questions we cannot answer. We have come to realize that God is too big for us to have it all figured out. If we do not have all the answers for ourselves, how could we have all the answers for everyone else?

I now realize that there is nothing wrong with admitting we do not have all the answers. Basically, questioning is not wrong. Even though many of us have been taught that we should not question the pastor, the Bible, our faith, even God, I now believe that God is not afraid of our questions. So, what is wrong with us saying ‘I don’t know’?

Admitting that you do not know does not mean you are not a good Christian. Admitting that you do not know does not mean your faith is shallow or we do not believe God.

If we knew everything, what kind of a God would we be serving anyway? The Spirit will be teaching us during our entire life here on earth, and we still will not begin to know it all.

While Jesus was on earth, he basically told stories and parables. A lot of the time, he did not give a direct answer. He usually asked another question rather than give a definite answer. I suppose if he gave a specific answer, we would have made it a basic doctrine by now anyway.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not feel guilty when you do not know the answer. The best way to learn is to be open to asking questions and seeking answers. God is perfectly capable of guiding us to the truth in proper timing.

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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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God Loves Gays!

Posted in Acceptance, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on August 24, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Condemnation of gays in God’s name is one of the greatest stumbling blocks Christians put in front of those wanting a relationship with God. Stop with “God hates sin, not the sinner.” Being gay isn’t a sin. It never made moral sense to me why God would condemn gays when they can no more chose who they love than straights can. Why would anyone choose to be gay based on the condemnation and bigotry they face? Parents often only condemn their gay children because of their supposed correct interpretation of a Book. We know the psychological harm done when one must hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility. One’s interpretation of the Bible is often used to drive others away from God. Many may not be aware that biblical scholars who respect the Bible don’t believe Scriptures condemn gay monogamous relationships. See here. When there is uncertainty in interpretation, shouldn’t we choose the least harmful view? If Christians made this decision, we would see many more drawn to God’s love. Condemnation of gays is one of the greatest stumbling block Christians put in front of those wanting a relationship with God.

Please see most posts on God Loves Gays!

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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 

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Hell No! Hell Is A Myth!

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , on August 19, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

I can’t prove Hell or Heaven is real. But, why would we think a loving God would create a place to torture forever those who held certain beliefs while here on earth a short period of time. The only place one might get such an idea that God – lights you on fire and doesn’t let the fire go out – is because many believe a supposed inspired Book by God says so. Of course ancient literature is subject to interpretation. I am convinced Hell isn’t real according to the Bible! A torturous, loving God is an oxymoron.

See links below about Hell, Heaven, and the Afterlife that I have written over the decades. Articles first listed are the most recent articles written. What kind of relationship comes forth when threatened with endless torture if you don’t obey? Maybe God gives second chances, even after death!

Hell No!. Hell Is A Myth!

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 

Read Full Post »

The Bible, the Whole Bible and Nothing but the Bible

Posted in Bible, christian living, Word of God, tagged , , , , , , on August 15, 2025|

by Michael Donahoe

If you are like my wife and me, you can remember from your first day in church being taught that the Bible was God’s holy word. The Bible was perfect and without mistake or any contradictions.

We felt the Bible was personally written by the hand of God through chosen men, and all the answers were contained therein. I truthfully think a lot of us Christian people came to see the Bible as the fourth member of the God-head.

In fact, to even question if the Bible is inerrant was sacrilegious. It was like the familiar quote in the court system when being sworn in, do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We have come to believe the Bible is the truth, the whole Bible and nothing but the Bible. Everything is contained within the written word, and God can do nothing outside of the written word.

Of course, that way of thinking really limits the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and is our teacher and guide. If the Spirit teaches us something or shows us something, we immediately want to look it up in the Bible, and if we cannot find it there, then we think the voice of the Spirit certainly must be wrong. Remember, even Jesus said many times, it is written, but I say. To me, this says that Jesus is the living Word and takes precedence over the written word.

Also, I have come to think that many of us have come to a point where we began to wonder if this inerrancy of the written word of God is really the case. I remember reading a section in one of my Bibles between the Old and New Testament that was about how we got our Bible. I remember thinking about how certain books were chosen, by men, as divinely inspired and others were not; which books to put into what we call the Bible and which books to leave out. It sure made me think about how this can be a perfect, inerrant group of writings. Of course, at that time, I quickly dismissed my questions and moved on, lest I made God mad at me for questioning his perfect book. Or maybe I was more worried about making the pastor and other members mad.

Of course, a lot of us were taught that the King James Version of the Bible was the true word of God and any other translation was wrong, and some translations were even an insult to God. My thought on that is how can any translation be considered the true word of God? They are all translations, even the King James. Truthfully, some of the stories I have heard about King James and his instructions on interpreting the manuscripts would make me want to stay away from the King James Version anyway. This is why we depend on the Spirit within us to bring the truth to light and not depend on any particular translation.

The Bible was definitely inspired by God, and that inspiration was through men. We all know if mankind has a hand in anything it is going to be flawed. Being inspired to write does not mean you write word for word through dictation. I can be inspired to write a book about a topic, but it is still going to be me writing, and have my thoughts, feelings, and flare to it. I was inspired by a particular movie to go visit the city it was filmed in. I was inspired to do a particular hobby because I saw the effect on other people that hobby produced. Yet, it was still me that had free will to do these things.

Just because the written word of God is not perfect, that does not negate anything about God. I always heard people say that if the Bible has errors in it or contradicts itself, then the whole idea of God must not be true either. I really do not understand that logic, especially since we know that Jesus is the Word of God. The written word, when viewed through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Yet, nowhere in the Bible does it say the written word is perfect.

In fact, when Christ walked on the earth, and in the early days of Christianity there was not even a written word like what we call the Bible available to the believers. There was the Word of God though, because Jesus has always been around.

My wife and I believe the Bible to be very valuable for learning and a means of hearing from God. We also believe the Holy Spirit lives within us and the still, small voice from within is even more valuable. We believe godly friends and wise people of God can be a help and guidance to us as the Holy Spirit leads through them.

So many of us want to fight and defend the written word we call the Bible. We divide ourselves into groups and denominations, we separate ourselves from the world and from one another. We fight, condemn and alienate ourselves over the written word because we think it is the inerrant words and ways of God, yet the true Word of God, Jesus, is standing right in front of us and we miss Him. Just like when Jesus was talking with the Jews and said ‘You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life’.

We see that life is in Christ. Jesus is not telling us to come to the Bible or accept the Bible, but to come to Him. Jesus is the true, powerful, inerrant, living Word of God. Read your Bible, let the Holy Spirit bring life to the words, learn and be encouraged from them, but realize the written word is not perfect. Look to the living, perfect Word who is Jesus, and listen for His voice within through the Spirit.

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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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Does Your View Of God As A Punisher Impact Relationships With God?  

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , on August 10, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

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 subtitle. 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.

I have written that God can’t be all-powerful or controlling and be true to God’s nature. Controlling love is an oxymoron. How can God be all-powerful and creatures have some freedom? Even the Bible claims love does not insist on its own way. (I Cor 13:5) So, God can’t control evil and suffering in the world. If God can’t control the amount of suffering we do or don’t receive, God can’t control the punishment we do or don’t receive. Do we really need to wonder if God is punishing us? It matters if we portray to others if God more loving or punitive!

Does God Really Punish Us?

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A Loving God Can’t Be All-Powerful!

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

How can God be all-powerful and humans have some power or control? The Bible claims love does not insist on its own way (I Cor 13:5). A loving spiritual or human parent must limit their supposed total power. Keep in mind that even if God stopped all bullets, that doesn’t change the gun holder. God can’t solve human selfishness. It is worth considering that God can’t be all-powerful or controlling and be true to God’s nature. Evil and suffering in the world may be because God cannot intervene single-handedly without being controlling. God can’t intervene in suffering without human help.

Freedom is a good thing. In God’s defense, it is not logically possible for God to create freedom unless there is the possibility of love or hate. Human parents hope their children freely reciprocate their love than being forced. Without freedom we could accuse God of not creating the very best world where only true, authentic relationships can develop. Freedom also allows humans to develop qualities of moral character that cannot be created initially. Freedom though cannot guarantee a pain free universe.

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