To those of us who have grown up in church, have you ever felt that you needed to know all the answers? Were you afraid to ask questions? 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 way. 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 do not have all the answers…and that is okay.
Even my wife and I talk we come up with questions we cannot answer. We have come to realize that God is too big for us to figure out. If we do not have all the answers for ourselves, how could we have all the answers for everyone else?
Basically, questioning is not wrong. I think we have been taught that we should not question the pastor, the Bible, our faith, even God, but God is not afraid of our questions. 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 throughout 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 an answer but usually asked another question. I suppose if he gave a direct answer, we would have made it a basic doctrine by now anyway.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not be afraid to say I don’t know. That is the best way to learn. God is perfectly capable of guiding us to the truth in His timing.
Michael Donahoe created Done with Religion after he and his wife left the institutional church after over fifty years within the system. He wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system, and tell why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. They have now been outside the walls of religion for over 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/ Michael can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com
In my last Post I wrote about something very controversial. One may be in God’s grace same as a believer and not know it. See here. What inspired me to write it is that I have many friends who very much live a life of love, yet don’t think of their lifestyle motivation being because of inspiration or belief in God. God is seldom if ever mentioned in their conversations. They live a very moral life, that puts to shame many who refer to themselves as Christians or believers. Many are inclined to believe in a God, though hesitate to take a leap of faith.
Now let’s discuss what about those who are skeptical or just don’t even believe in God.
The Bible may be a main reason for hesitation or unbelief
I am convinced many inclined to believe in God but don’t is because of claims made about God by those who call themselves Christians. It is seldom admitted literature requires interpretation, so your understanding of God according to the Bible could be wrong. Biblical scholars do not agree what the Bible teaches about many moral issues.I am convinced a literal Hell is a biblical myth. See here. We get wrong that God thinks women can’t serve in the same religious or marriage roles that men can. See here. Also, we get wrong that God condemns gays according to the Bible. See here. But the biggest myth may be that God’s main message according to the Bible is that salvation is about going to Heaven or Hell rather than how to live life here on earth. People reject God based on claims about hell, women, gays. It is important to know that God cares about you here and now and not about just the afterlife. See:
Perhaps the main reason many who may be inclined to believe in a Supreme Being but aren’t motivated to take the leap of faith is because of the presence of so much evil in the world and God doesn’t intervene. Some explanations are better than many rationalizations give. Perhaps, God can’t be all-powerful because love isn’t controlling. See here:
Thomas Oord beliefs have brought me the most comfort during my medical challenge. See:
Another fair argument about whether God really exist is why then is God so hidden. The idea that if an all-loving God truly exists and wants to have a personal relationship with those desiring such a relationship, why doesn’t God make their presence obvious. Such signs could convince many, removing distress and uncertainty. See Greg’s post here:
Can’t all enter heaven anyway?
Another good reason to believe God doesn’t required belief in God to be in his grace or achieve eternal life is both intuitive and biblical. The best way I know to understand God’s love is how I or a parent loves their children. My love isn’t based on if my kids show they love me or believe in my guidance. I can’t stop loving them. Neither can God!
There is some biblical evidence that in the afterlife, God welcomes all and will attempt to convince them and live with God forever. There are rational reasons God doesn’t appear physically here on earth. Besides, the majority of people born in this world didn’t have access to a Bible or know of Jesus. See: All Will End Up In Heaven According To The Bible
C’mon Edwards…you have to believe Jesus resurrected from the dead?
Jesus’ disciples didn’t believe Jesus’ claims of resurrection until seeing the spike marks three days later after the Cross. Maybe if you saw someone die on a Cross and saw them alive days later, you would believe too. And believe that Jesus was more than human. Are you leaning toward than away from God. God welcomes you.
I currently am convinced Jesus’ resurrection isn’t legend and has historical verification, but others may not. I don’t believe God hates me if I change my mind. Jesus’ disciples didn’t believe Jesus was coming back from the dead, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles beforehand, until seeking Jesus after his death with their own eyes. I would like to think many of us seeing a man or woman coming back from the grave, after killed on a cross, would be convinced. I have a hunch God cares the most that you believe in the possibility of a loving God to begin a faith journey.
I have a hunch God especially loves skeptics!
Personally, I don’t want to dimmish the power of belief in a loving God. God’s influence in my life has been awe-inspiring. A parent obviously loves a child who struggles to accept them and their ways. We don’t unlove our skeptical children. Is God any different? Spiritual or human parents don’t desire forced love, which isn’t genuine, but hope for consideration and to prove the possibility of a better relationship. Many may not pursue a relationship with a God they are inclined to believe in because of what they have heard from others what God is like. Don’t believe everything you hear! God only seeks to love you like you wish you were able to love others. This is the God you can believe in and seek influence in living a purposeful, meaningful live.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion 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
Understandings and mental views of God shape your belief in God and your relationship with God. God surely delights more in one seeking to know God than the ninety-nine, offended by one’s interpretation of the Bible, who already know their Creator (Lk. 15:3-7). Biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like.
God demands we bow the knee or burn in Hell
There are good reasons to not believe a literal Hell is a reality in the Bible. See here. Terrorists demand belief in their God or they don’t even wait to kill you in the afterlife like the God of the Bible supposedly does. The God I believe isn’t 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.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion 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 all know what a horrible sin sexual or physical abuse is. I wish to highlight unknowledged or unrecognized sins. I readily admit I was quilty of this sin in my 20’s at least. I have written previously that I thought “being so certain” may be the greatest unrecognize sin that drives people away from God. See Sin Of Certainty I am now ready to anoint another major sin. They are related. Being so certain about your biblical interpretation of what God is like is doing great harm to God’s reputation in my opinion. Even if you believe your Holy Book is inspired by your God, your interpretations are not inspired.
It is rarely admitted that it cannot be proved one’s sacred book is inspired by their God. We cannot prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers/editors thought and recorded). If we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. If we didn’t assume biblical writers always understood God correctly, this leads to more open discussions what God is really like. See link: Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible
What are the moral differences that matter?
There is very little dispute among believers and unbelievers about most of the 10 commandments. I will provide below links on the issues claimed about God that many don’t agree on that impact millions of lives. Christians often don’t realize biblical scholars don’t agree on matters such as women roles, if God really condemns gays, if hell if literally true, and if only Christians go to heaven. See links below. I will suggest below how I decide which interpretation is most likely true. I am open to discussion/debate on my views, so I am stating what I strongly believe is true about God. Unfortunately, many leaders and Christians proclaim certainty or thrown around the word heresy toward those that don’t agree.
I am convinced a literal Hell is a biblical myth. See here.
I think another myth is that God thinks women can’t serve in the same religious or marriage roles that men can. See here.
We get wrong that God condemns gays according to the Bible. Another myth. See here.
But the biggest myth may be that God’s main message according to the Bible is that salvation is about going to Heaven or Hell rather than how to live life here on earth. Heaven is available to all religions. See What Religion Goes To Heaven? People reject God based on claims about hell, women, or gays. But it is so important to know that God cares about you here and now and not about just the afterlife.
Leaders should know better
I grew up going to church as a young man. It wasn’t until I attended a year of seminary in my early twenties that I realized Christian leaders had different opinions on many moral issues. I remember being shocked in one of my classes. We reviewed a book that three professors at my seminary wrote together with three different views concerning God and the end times. And God forbid – one professor actually believed and wrote that women could be pastors of churches and be in authority over men. Not all professors agreed. One of my pastors growing up told me leadership is being certain. I disagree. Pastors rarely admit in the pulpit about their experience in seminary or what they know to be true. Not all agree on interpretation regarding biblical passages that address moral issues. Great leaders don’t have to always be certain. Parents know this. One of my biggest regrets as a parent was being so damn certain of my interpretation of Genesis regarding the beginning of creation when my son came home believing in evolution.
So how do we discern what God is like?
God must be perfect. I imagine anyone who believes in a God/Creator thinks that such a Spirit must be perfectly moral. No other God is worth believing in. If you believe in a Creator, surely you assume such a perfect Creator would create us in their image? I think the best analogy to a perfect God is what a perfect Mother or Father is like. We all have a clue being a child of parents.
Now, knowing perfection isn’t always black and white. Does justice for victims include capital punishment of the guilty? Should I allow my child to hit bottom in their addiction or intervene. It may depend on their age. But should I allow my son to be abusive to his dates? Hell hath no fury! Unless you are a terrorist guided by your interpretation only of a supposed inspired Book by your Creator, trust your moral intuitions. There are universal agreements on my moral issues such as murder, abuse, even coveting. You have to choose which interpretation that you feel best represents God. I go with my moral intuitions since I am convinced God created us to love like God loves. Those who read my blogs will recognize views of God that I believe do the most harm to God for those who want to believe in God but claims made about God by Christians drive them away.
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
My wife and I question these days whether we should call ourselves Christians or not. We think it all boils down to what we mean by Christian.
If being a Christian is being part of a religion that meets in a building on a particular day and follows set doctrines based on what denomination we belong to, then no, we are not Christians.
If being a Christian is considered being part of a group that is basically just a different interpretation and belief from Jews, or Muslim, or Baptist, Methodist, Charismatic etc., then no, we are not Christians.
If being a Christian is being part of a group that is opposed to all other religions and only accept those who believe like we do, then no, we are not Christians.
If being a Christian has anything to do with religion, then no, we are not Christians.
In Acts 11:26 the disciples were first called Christians by people in Antioch. I always heard that they were called Christians because they were acting like Christ. The people there were calling them little Christ’s because of the way they showed the love and power of Christ. Now, if that is what is meant by being a Christian, then we are all in.
There are many ways we can describe ourselves, believers, Christ followers, disciples of Christ, Christians. Yet, the name itself does not really matter. What matters is how we live our lives. Is Christ preeminent? Are we living as one with him? Are we allowing the love of Christ to live through us, accepting others, loving others and being little Christ’s to all we meet? If not, the name really does not mean anything.
When people see us, they should see Christ. He lives within us and we should be known for the love we have for him and for the love we have for our fellow man. Do not worry so much about the label we use. Let Christ live through us each day with everyone we meet.
Michael Donahoe created Done with Religion after he and his wife left the institutional church after over fifty years within the system. He wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system, and tell why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. They have now been outside the walls of religion for over 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/ Michael can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com
Understandings and mental views of God shape your belief in God and your relationship with God. God surely delights more in one seeking to know God than the ninety-nine, offended byone’s interpretation of the Bible, who already know their Creator (Lk. 15:3-7). Biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like.
Nothing may be more destructive to God’s reputation than when Christian leaders condemn gays in God’s name. Gays no more choose who they are attracted to than straights can. Many gays will tell you they have always been attracted to the same sex. If you are a straight man, don’t you naturally have to fight not looking at naked women than men? Ask gays their battle! Who chooses to be gay when one has to hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility? It is impossible to not feel personally attacked when one utters “I love you but I hate your sin.” What is heard is I don’t love you. Especially if being gay isn’t a sin. See 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
Understandings and mental views of God shape your belief in God and your relationship with God. God surely delights more in one seeking to know God than the ninety-nine, offended by one’s interpretation of the Bible, who already know their Creator (Lk. 15:3-7). Biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like.
God is bias against women READY
Those who read my blogs often are probably sick of me ranting against those who condemn gays or women in God’s name according to the Bible. Biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about these and other moral issues. Let’s stop being dogmatic. Since interpretations aren’t infallible, we can use our moral intuitions as well to understand what God is really like. The Bible must not be used to further the abuse of women at the hands of men. 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. Most agree not allowing equal roles because of skin color is immoral. Choosing who should lead the company based on gender is obviously bigotry. The most qualified or gifted should surely lead the company. Why not in church? See 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
Understandings and mental views of God shape your beliefs in God and a relationship with God
God views you as scum and is pissed!
I only know what a loving God may be like according to how a parent should love their child. I figure God didn’t create us to be better lovers than God. My kids weren’t always saints but I hated their behavior, not them. I would suggest that Scripture shows that God sees human beings as deeply loved, valuable, and made in His image, even though we are also broken by sin. See 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
Zionism has come more into the spotlight, especially during conflict between Iran and Israel and the U.S. I do not wish to condemn Zionism. I think it can help to understand why one believes as they do. One has rights to any beliefs, as long as not encouraging violence toward others. I do condemn extremists that suggest their God sanctions the death of infidels or gays or violate the rights of women.
What is Zionism?
It is argued Jewish people should have their own nation in their historic homeland. Obviously, all people and religions have a right to exist. Claiming a historic homeland is unique. Someone use to own the land that I own now having paid cash. I did not forcefully take it away from the previous owner. Nations are different thought because conflicts are often settled with war. It is a tough argument to say all ownership should predate conflicts. We have a worldwide mess if going to claim land right are paramount to pre-war/conflict.
Why do Zionism believe in their unique claim to a historic homeland?
Right to existence is a no-brainer. Any other view is extremist. In Judaism the land is seen as promised to the Jewish people by God in their sacred, inspired Book by God (Hebrew Bible). Beside a desire for safety and self-determination, Zionists believe in a historic homeland because of ancient roots and religious significance. They believe the Bible is God’s promise/prophecy for their future.
I have argued it is likely prophecy doesn’t predict the future. I have claimed prophecy can’t be God knowing or predicting what happens in the future. God can’t know an undetermined future. It is likely prophecy is conditional to respect freedom. God warns what could happen if Israel rebels against God’s ways or to others that don’t respect God’s morality. See: Does Prophecy In The Bible Really Predict The Future?
It is rarely admitted that it cannot be proved one’s sacred book is inspired by their God. We cannot prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers thought and recorded). There are extremists with any religion whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. If we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. Use common moral sense to understand God, rather than assuming biblical writers always understood God correctly. See Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible
The problem often is how supposed inspired texts by God or Supreme Being are interpreted. It is rarely admitted that our interpretative views of God according to the Bible or Koran could be right or wrong. I admit I could be wrong and always invite discussion. Some say God condemns gays according to the Bible, others interpret the same passages differently. We should always question interpretations, whether literature is inspired or not, since biblical scholars interpret differently the same passages.
Many Christians interpret Israel plays a role in biblical prophecy. One may believe to not follow how they interpret Scriptures is to disobey God’s supposed future plan. Many claim dogmatically that the Bible predicts future events such as what is happening in Israel currently and the end-times when Jesus returns down to earth. This can be a form of extremism, though far from inciting violence toward unbelievers.
Going forward
I understand many may especially support Israel for important military and intelligence reasons. Those who oppose giving Israel support should consider for America’s own protection. Many people’s views are often shaped by the media they consume. We should consider all opinions. We must encourage healthy debate. I suspect many may oppose supporting Israel over America’s own citizens for financial reasons. We have enough financial problems without giving so much money away to other nations. I have some sympathy for this. When I have a choice, I am going to protect and support my family financially over other families. I don’t think that is totally selfish. A family or nation is often more capable of aiding others because they are strong and united. To support Israel solely based on biblical prophecy is misguided. No one can claim because “the Bible says so.”
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
I find it interesting that no matter what a person believes, someone always has a completely opposite view. We get excited about hearing some truth that really connects, and the next thing we read is an article by another person with a completely different view that completely disagrees with what we just heard.
Even more than that, most of us Christians get mad when someone disagrees with us and our personal ideas. We get on Facebook and make ourselves look crazy because we talk about brotherly love, then we fight and argue with someone because they interpret things differently, and mostly about things we cannot prove one way or the other.
Sadly, this is really not that unusual because we are all different. We have different backgrounds, different viewpoints and opinions, and different ideas on how to live. We really have to stop and think that whatever it is we believe, whatever our interpretation, we have to realize that not everyone will agree with us. There is no reason for us to get mad at someone else for being different. There is no reason why we cannot accept each other even in our differences.
This life is all a matter of faith. No matter what it is spiritually speaking, no one can really prove what is right and what is not. Just because someone has a different interpretation does not mean they are right or wrong.
We need to keep our ears open to the leading of the Spirit and follow our own path looking to Jesus. That does not mean any and every path is the right one, but we cannot be the judge of who is right and who is wrong. Jeremy Myers, in his book ‘Dying to Religion and Empire’ states, “The beautiful thing about following Jesus is that while He leads us all in the same direction, there are millions of different paths He can take to get us there. His goal, of course, is to advance the Kingdom of God on earth through the people of God who are being conformed into the image of God”. Our goal is to follow Christ as he leads us individually, and then be ready to love all people, no matter if they are on the same path or not.
Let’s stop arguing, fighting and demanding that everyone agree with us, and love and accept those we meet along the journey. I think God is big enough to lead us along our path while being loving, kind and accepting to those walking their path. After all, we are all just walking each other home.
Michael Donahoe created Done with Religion after he and his wife left the institutional church after over fifty years within the system. He wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system, and tell why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. They have now been outside the walls of religion for over 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/ Michael can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com
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