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Posts Tagged ‘Bible’

What One Belief Only Matters To God?

Posted in christian living, Jesus follower, Lifestyles, Love of God, tagged , , , , , on March 30, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

Acceptance of certain creeds or doctrines is often expected to join a church. They may concern whether the Bible is inspired by God, how one obtains salvation, afterlife beliefs, etc. This is why thousands of denominations exist in the Christian faith. Certain beliefs are declared important according to their interpretation of the Bible. I am convinced God would encourage only one doctrine. 

Jesus’ message was simply to love one another

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. They didn’t believe many of Jesus’ claims until after his resurrection. I am convinced 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.  

What about women, gays, and Hell? 

It is assumed biblical scholars agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. They don’t! See here. See here. See here.  Ancient literature subject to interpretation cannot be the definitive word on truth. Gays are often condemned and women’s leadership roles are limited, despite their gifts, in God’s name. How would God love gays, women, or those of other religions? A Creator surely loves the way creatures intuitively think they ought to love. How to love others is the discussion, not one’s interpretation which may be wrong. 

Self-evident rights may be found in a Book or natural law, as we all have an inborn sense of good and evil. All rational being believe sexual abuse is evil. We can though have healthy debates what climate policies are for the greater good. We can share our personal beliefs in God and other matters in the public arena without implying we all agree what the most loving values are. Love is complicated sometimes. Freedom of beliefs is critical for such discussions.

Does one have to believe Jesus resurrected or was the Son of God?

I imagine most seek to convene together in a church building because of their belief in God and Jesus’ main message. Many may not be sure if Jesus was God in human form or God’s representative here on earth. I am convinced Jesus’ resurrection isn’t legend and has historical verification, but others may not. Jesus’ disciples didn’t believe Jesus when told he was coming back from the dead, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles beforehand, until witnessing with their own eyes. I would like to think many of us witnessing 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.

How Christians can unite

Christians often hope others entertain the difference a personal relationship with God can make in one’s life. The way Christians act in loving others can be a distraction to this hope. Christians must forget any requirements of beliefs other than a desire to love others as they wish to be love. God can hold Their own in influencing others to consider God’s help in this journey. Let the discussions how to love begin without assuming you are right and others are wrong!

What One Belief Only Matters To God?

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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How Do Christians Give God A Bad Rap?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Jesus follower, religion, tagged , , , , , on March 24, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

Many want to believe in a God but not the God often claimed by Christians. I wrote here  why some don’t pursue God more or leave the institutional church but not God. I recently read Brian McLaren’s A New Kind Of Christianity who has extensive interactions and travels to opine on what is wrong with Christianity. Though written several years ago, his observations are still relevant and match some concerns I laid out. I believe there are three main concerns that are turning many away from God or the church. How the Bible or “Gospel” is explained leads to condemnation in God’s name against women, gays, other religions, etc.

How Should We View The Bible? 

Many Christians view the Bible as inspired by God, thus assuming everything claim about God by the writers is true. You may notice God isn’t always portrayed as loving. See here. Even if the writers always understood God perfectly, the truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t interpret/agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. Those differences concern billions of lives and turns many away from God. A Creator surely loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Biblical understandings should match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor. A supposed inspired Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. See here.

What really Is The Gospel According To Jesus?

Christians are quick to quote the Apostle Paul, a main writer of the New Testament, on what the Gospel is: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23). Is the death referred to physical or spiritual? Was eternal life referring to a heaven and hell or a meaningful life beginning on earth. Jesus’ Gospel/words couldn’t be to save you from a fiery afterlife, as such a Hell is a myth according to the Bible. See here.

But what did Jesus say? Jesus didn’t speak of a certain prayer to get “in” with God. Turns out God is only dying to help if you want help. Don’t believe me! See some of Jesus’ interactions here. For example, when Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life, He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). Good luck if that was a requirement for salvation rather than loving guidance how to live with fewer regrets. Loving God leads to loving others. Christians are often too busy trying to save others from a non-existing fiery afterlife rather than discussing how God’s presence in our life now helps us become more the person we desire to become deep down. Godly living in this world leads to a meaningful life with less regrets.

What does God really think of other Religions?

Related to our understanding of the Gospel if how we treat those of other Religions. We must have a new attitude of other religions to best represent God. The truth is the majority of people already born in this world died without any knowledge of the Bible or who Jesus was. The majority of people born adhere or reject the religion they were born into. Even the Bible suggests you aren’t judged on lack of knowledge but what you know and whether seeking evil or truth (Rom 2 – see verses 6-8). A God of love can’t be a God of chance!

How can we stop turning others away from God? 

The Bible is not a rules book but a book about God to be questioned. The Gospel is not about escaping from Hell because of a torturous God but whether to seek God’s help in loving others like you want to be loved. I think the only belief God cares about is loving others as you best know how, not different interpretations of the Bible or one’s sexual behaviors. The enemy isn’t other religions but those who are evil and seek to destroy themselves and others. Please consider the loving God I understand!

How Do Christians Give God A Bad Rap?

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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9 Reasons To Not Trust The Bible’s Claims About God!

Posted in Acceptance, Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on March 17, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

You may not notice some of the vilest claims in the Bible about God until you begin reading very closely. Leaders tout that God inspired/approved all written in the Bible, yet some actions contributed to God by the writers make no moral sense. Unfortunately, newcomers will be directed to read the Bible and be horrified reading about some of God’s supposed actions. Rationalizations are given to explain such actions about God to protect God’s inspiration of the Bible (writers understood God perfectly). I suggest instead considering if biblical writers always understood God correctly. Do the following passages really describe a loving God? There are hundreds. I will conclude by suggesting how to read the Bible without being revolted. 

Contradictions in the Bible

Contradictions are one reason to doubt God’s inspiration/oversight of the Bible. If God can raise the dead, God can obviously control transmissions of words supposedly given to the biblical writers – but God didn’t! The list of contradictions may be trivial but are sizable (See Gregory Boyd, Inspired Imperfection, Chapter 1):

  • II Sam 24:1 says God incited David to sin; I Chr 21:1 blames it on Satan
  • 2 Kgs 24:6 says Jehoiakim had a son; Jer 36:30 says Jehoiakim didn’t have a son to reign after him
  • Does God take pleasure in destroying (Deut. 28:63), or does God take no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11)?
  • Does God punish children for the sins of parents (Ex. 34:7; Num. 14:18), or does God never punish children for what parents do (Ezek. 18:20)?
  • Matthew says Jeremiah rather than Zechariah spoke about the thirty pieces of silver (Mt 27:9-10. Zech 11:12-13)
  • Did Jesus say the rooster would crow once after Peter’s three denials (Mt 26.34, Lk 22:34, John 13:38), or did the rooster crow twice (Mk 14:30)

Moral challenges concerning God’s character are much more disconcerting. I will cite only a few below that advocate violence or immoral actions in God’s name.

God supposedly kills an entire human race by drowning

“Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; human beings and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.” (Gen 7:23)

Keep in mind Genesis talks about a magical tree of good and evil and talking snakes. A Global Flood could be a literary device to illustrate the destructiveness of human versus God’s ways. Maybe the writers used an analogy of a Flood and drowning because their world view including God controlling the natural world. I might not read the Flood story to young children but wait to explain that God didn’t really drown practically the entire human race. Personally, I wouldn’t use a drowning analogy to portray God’s character. Not sure God would either!

God supposedly mandated death for cursing, gathering sticks, etc.

When it comes to many of the laws, the OT claims God spoke these words (Exodus 20:1). Biblical writers rarely claimed audible God-speak. “God said” recorded hundreds of times in the Bible is most likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God – right or wrong. How can we be sure the writers heard inner God’s voice correctly?

  • Did God really mandate whoever curses their parents be put to death (Ex. 21:17)?
  • Did God really mandate to death a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Num 15:32-36)?
  • Did God really require death for adultery (Lev 20:10)? That’s a lot of bodies today
  • Did God really command whoever does work on the Sabbath be put to death (Ex 31:15)?
  • Did God really command death for those who blaspheme the name of the Lord (Lev 24:16)?

God supposedly approved a wife’s hand being cut off when grabbing a man’s genitals

“If two men are fighting and the wife….reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.” (Deut 25:11-12) 

A woman raped is forced to marry her rapist

“If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered…..He must marry the young women, for he has violated her.” (Deut 22:28-29)

Women were seen as property of the father or husband and she was no longer valuable (being a virgin) after being raped! Did God really approve a woman being required to marry her rapist as if this was a step up to protecting victims from a life of shun? 

God supposedly orders killing boys and non-virgins but sparing virgins for the warriors 

“Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.” (Num 31:17-18) 

Did God really stay silent because the Israelites couldn’t handle the truth that requiring a woman to marry soldiers who killed their children and husband is evil? Sounds like men writers imagining God talking to them! 

God supposedly commanded genocide – all men, women, children, infants, and animals

“This is why the Lord Almighty says….Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them: put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” (I Sam 15:2-3) 

“Twelve thousand men and women fell that day – all the people of Ai. For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai. But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the Lord had instructed Joshua.” (Joshua 8:25-27). See also Joshua 10:28.

If you don’t think this is morally repulsive, how would you react if you read these same commands in the Koran? 

A daughter is given as a reward for being victorious in Battle 

And Caleb said “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” (Josh 15:16)

Just in verse 13 the Lord was supposedly giving commands to Caleb. It is reasonable to think the writer assumed approval by God giving the daughter away. Why didn’t the writer at least mention God’s outcry to stop treating women as possessions and property. That is wrong regardless of culture norms as were civil right violations in America decades ago. I bet God was speaking up, but men in biblical times just weren’t listening as many Americans too in the past.

God will slay with thirst, have sex in public to shame, and then speak to her tenderly 

See Hosea 2: 1-14. I imagine this story was to illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, rather than God literally telling Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman. I doubt though God wanted to be portrayed slaying with thirst (v. 2), possibly have sex in public to shame her (v.10), and then act as if God can then start talking tenderly (v.14). I can think of better illustrations to portray a loving God. I got a hunch the writers were portraying how they perceived God.

God supposedly is arbitrary with justice

God kills Uzzah for putting his hand out to balance the Ark from falling (II Sam 6:7), yet God is silent when David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed. (2 Sam 11:14) Even in the New Testament God supposedly struck dead Ananias and Sapphira for lying how much money they donated to the church (Acts 5). Then, God is said to kill some for celebrating Communion without examining their heart. (I Cor.11:30). I would be dead!

How can we know God if not through the Bible 

Despite contradictions and moral challenges, many hold on to an inspired Bible for fear the Bible will be discarded for “whatever goes” in understanding God. A Book subject to interpretation cannot be the definitive word of what God is truly like. Biblical scholars interpret differently the same passages, and most of us don’t acknowledge our interpretation could be wrong. The challenge is many interpret their inspired Book as God being violent or advocating violence. This has led to imitating or justifying violence in the name of a perfect loving God.

Few believe God dictated the writers’ recordings. You certainly can’t prove God controlled the writers’ thoughts to always understand God perfectly. As mentioned “God said” is recorded hundreds of times in the Bible. This is likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God written down – right or wrong. We can’t prove the writers understood God perfectly other than taking their word by claiming they are inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17). That is circular reasoning. We were surely created to love the way the Creator loves. It isn’t presumptuous to imagine what a loving God is like though our moral consciences. See here.

Why should I bother to read the Bible?   

The Bible is God’s story beginning with Israel and culminating with the life of Jesus that we don’t possess in other documents. God may have inspired/encouraged the writers to write but didn’t necessarily approve of everything written about God. When reading the Bible, contemplate what a loving God is really like. Enjoy what God is trying to reveal to you about your Creator and how to treat others. Imagine if extremists had to consider that God didn’t inspire every word in their Book and had to openly discuss what a loving God is like. Interpretations about God’s love toward others, that don’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor, may be amiss. A Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. Questioning the Bible may lead to knowing God better!

9 Reasons To Not Trust The Bible’s Claims About God!

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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God Is Exactly Like Who You Think!

Posted in christian living, Jesus follower, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on March 10, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

If you read my weekly Posts, you know I write on this topic a lot. It’s just that I believe many have a misinformed view of what God is like which drives them away from God though they wish they had a closer relationship. This misinformation often come from Christians or their institutions. Since God doesn’t speak audibly to most of us, we are free to speculate what God must truly be like. Let me try to convince you that God is what your moral conscience tells you, unless you don’t believe in treating others like you want to be treated.  

It’s not presumptuous to imagine what a loving God is like through our moral inclinations 

A Book cannot be the sole determinate of what God is like since scholars interpret the same passages differently. Also, the majority of people born in this world did not have a copy of the Bible. We are left to wonder how a Perfect God, the only God worth believing in, truly loves. If a Creator exists, 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.

Women, gays, and Hell 

A major reason many believe women can’t be leaders of men in the religion institutions or marriage is because their inspired Book says so. Many believe God condemns gays, though many of us have gay friends who feel no choice in being attracted to the same gender any more than straights can explain why attracted to the opposite gender. Many believe God orders the death of infidels, often by torture, in this life or the life to come after death. Most of us would not even do that to our worst enemies. I am convinced one of the main reasons rational folks have these beliefs is because they believe they owe their God allegiance because of a Book their God supposedly inspired. See here.

What about views we disagree on 

One main reason rational people don’t agree on many moral issues is because of their interpretation of their Holy Book. We must find ways to have conversations with one another, though we don’t have the same interpretations. There can be differences in views about God concerning women, gays, and Hell. We all must admit uncertainty in our views about what a loving God is like, unless it concerns universal morals such as sexual abuse, murder, etc. Concerning challenges such as immigration or climate actions, democratic societies have the advantage of the majority vote and who is chosen to make such decisions for us as a nation. Dictatorships of course only result in the powerful enforcing their views on the powerless.

What about those who don’t believe in a God? 

I’m convinced we all have internal “shoulds” how to treat others, whether by natural or spiritual influence. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in a Creator or not. You still expect me to treat you like I want to be treated. We all are accountable to the golden rule, whether you believe in a God or not. Extremists often believe others should be killed for being infidels, but they don’t want their loved one to be treated as such if others of different religion feel differently. 

What to believe about God?

Don’t determine your view of God according to what others believe or claim but how you think you ought to treat others unless you are an extremist. Please stop being so certain if it doesn’t involve an almost universal belief. Have open discussions, share what you have in common, and try to discover the best action for the good of most.

God Is Exactly Like Who You Think!

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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Why Do People Leave The Church Building But Not God?

Posted in christian living, Community, Ekklesia, institutional church, The church, tagged , , , , on February 25, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

I wrote here why people possibly deconvert though at one time having faith in God. Many Christian leaders imply those leaving the institutional church are leaving God. DONES are often deconverting from religion not God! One does not have to be involved in a regular Christian community to be a God-follower. I wrote here  why I left the religious institution not God. There are many advantages to being a part of a group of people who seek to encourage one another about God. But many of us had to leave the building!

What are some emotional reasons people leave the building? 

Packard has done much of the research. Many leave the building due to observed lack of responsible stewardship. 60% of the budget went toward the 90-minute show without serving better those outside the building. Many leave because being preached at doesn’t allow meaningful dialogue. Being so damn certain all the time is hardly relational, especially when even scholars disagree what the Bible says about issues impacting the lives of so many people. Many felt the lack of grace. People weren’t looking to excuse their moral failures, but why can’t we focus less on sexual behaviors and more on the poor, homeless, etc. Who is perfect! People leave for many reasons including abuse by leadership. 

People leave for the same intellectual reason others leave the faith all-together 

A major factor in leaving the building or God all together is because of views claimed about God.  God according to the Bible supposedly condemns gays, burns unbelievers in the afterlife, and thinks women cannot fulfill the same roles as men though just as gifted. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here.  See here.  See here.  It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Biblical interpretations that don’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor may be amiss.

Another major intellectual reason is due to certain explanations given for the presence of evil and suffering in our world despite there being a God. It is understandable why many can’t believe in a supposedly, all-powerful God who standbys while one is being raped, tortured, murdered, abused, etc. What kind of parent or God stands by and not intervene when they could prevent such suffering? Maybe a perfect, loving God can’t be controlling just as they can’t be manipulative. Maybe God can’t intervene single-handedly without human help. See Thomas Oord. The alternative is that God can always stop your suffering and doesn’t, or that God arbitrarily stops other’s sufferings sometimes but not yours. I doubt it! 

Going forward 

In the Bible “Church” was not a building or a place attended once a week. Jesus referred to His followers as being the Church and to encourage and care for one another.  The Bible doesn’t tell the Church to go to church.  Jesus said “Where two or more are gathered in His name” God would be present. Jesus did not specify where they must gather, what they must do or how they must do it. Simply find environments to encourage and be encouraged to radically love as Jesus did. Personally, in the church if I opened my mouth about disagreements about leadership’s views of what a loving God is like, I felt I was being divisive and pulling others down. I am comfortable disagreeing, but I am not looking to force my views on others. Our relationship with God isn’t about an institution or day of the week. It’s a daily, hourly relationship.

Why Do People Leave The Church Building But Not God?

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

 

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Why Do Many Deconstruct Or Deconvert From God?

Posted in Bible, christian living, deconstruction, Jesus follower, religion, tagged , , , , , , on February 18, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

Christians are more familiar with the term “deconstructing” from the Christian faith. I am not writing about those who aren’t done with God just religion. I have in mind those who stop believing in God, or God becomes much less a part of one’s life despite belief in God. Such people may have attended church or a religious institute regularly at some time, while others may have rarely or never entered a church door but are inclined to believe in God. Why are many moving away from God though desiring a relationship?

Why are some inclined to pursue God or not? 

Christians especially are guilty of implying those who don’t believe in or stop pursuing God are suppressing what they know to be true. I disagree. I suppose some deny there is a God to justify their evil ways, but those I know not into God as much as me are just as moral if not more than I am.  Let’s not accuse those who believe in a God as needing a crutch or accuse those who question the reality of an invisible God as being wicked and ignorant of their feelings.

Many people do or don’t pursue God, or rebel against God, because of the family they are born in. I am not sure I would be pursuing God if my parents hadn’t encouraged it. Some by personality are more skeptical or accepting. I am sure many don’t pursue God for obvious emotional reasons. A child abused by their father may struggle to accept a God betrayed as our Father in Heaven. Many are turned away from God because of the hypocrisy of God-following friends or leaders.

What may be the main intellectual reasons leaving a belief in God?   

One’s view of God is critical in their journey. See here. I am convinced a major factor in deconverting or moving away from God is because of views claimed about God. It is claimed the Bible supposedly says that God condemns gays, God burns unbelievers in the afterlife, and God doesn’t think women can fulfill the same roles as men though just as gifted. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here.  See here.  See here.

Another major intellectual reason is due to certain explanations given for the presence of evil and suffering in our world despite there being a God. It is understandable why many can’t believe in a supposedly, all-powerful God who standbys while one is being raped, tortured, murdered, abused, etc. What kind of parent or God doesn’t intervene when they could prevent such suffering? Maybe a perfect, loving God can’t be controlling just as they can’t be manipulative. Maybe God can’t intervene single-handedly without human help. See Thomas Oord. The alternative is that God can always stop your suffering and doesn’t, or that God arbitrarily stops other’s sufferings sometimes but not yours. I am convinced there are better explanations.

Why we must stop claiming the Bible is inspired!

Inspiration suggests God’s approval. Keep in mind we can’t prove God controlled every thought or word written by the biblical author. God didn’t dictate the Bible to others. Stating as proof that the writers claimed such inspiration is circular reasoning. The truth is that even if our interpretations were infallible, we can’t be sure the biblical writers always knew or portrayed God accurately. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Biblical interpretations, or a biblical writer’s understanding about God, that doesn’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor may be amiss. A supposed inspired Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. See here.

Pursing God is about following God, not adhering to certain beliefs 

We are often told the main message of the Bible is Jesus coming to give you salvation to save you from Hell so you could enter Heaven. Common understandings of Hell aren’t necessarily biblical, thus how could this be Jesus’ central message? See here. When Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life, which surely implies salvation, Jesus spoke of how to start living here on earth not what awaited in the afterlife. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. You don’t have to drop to your knees and say a prayer to get “in” with God. You only have to want God’s help. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. Personally, I am convinced there is a God and my relationship with God has inspired and encouraged me to be the person I desire to be.

Why Do Many Deconstruct Or Deconvert From God?

MikeEdwardsprofilepic125

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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Are Biblical Stories Helpful or Harmful To Children?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 11, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

Most are familiar with Bible stories including David and Goliath and Jonah shallowed by a whale. What motivated me to write this post was becoming even more aware of disturbing divine behaviors in the older testament.  See here.  You may not want to advise your children to read the entire Older Testament. Stay with me until we get to below stories of Noah/Flood and Jonah.

Don’t read these Bible passages to children!

We have every right to question if biblical writers/editors always understood God perfectly. There are many disturbing portrayals of God in the Bible. Exodus 20:1 says God spoke: “anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death” (Ex 21:17).  I would be dead! God didn’t dictate words to the writers. “God said” is recording hundreds of times in the Bible. This is likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God written down – right or wrong.

God supposedly even commanded the genocide of all Amalekites, including women, children, infants, and animals (I Sam 15:2-3). God kills Uzzah for putting his hand out to balance the Ark from falling (2 Sam 6:7), yet God is silent when Mighty King David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed (2 Sam 11:14). You better hope God is having a good day!

Did God control the thoughts of biblical writers?

You can’t prove and it’s doubtful a loving God controlled the mental impressions of writers’ words recorded. Controlling love is an oxymoron. God doesn’t control our world views. The Israelites thought God controlled the natural world causing famines to punish or giving victory or defeat in battle. Today most don’t think God causes tsunamis and other natural disasters. Jesus didn’t blame tragedies by God as rewarding the righteous and punishing the unfaithful (Lk 13:1-5). So, we are okay to question if certain stories accurately portray God. It is not heresy to challenge if the writers’ understandings of God are contradictory of a loving God according to our moral intuitions. We were surely created to love the way the Creator loves.

Noah, the Flood, and God drowning practically the entire human race 

I admit I love David kicking bully Goliath’s ass. But you may wonder why God drowned the entire human race except Noah and family, including children and infants (Gen. 7:23). Keep in mind Genesis talks about a magical tree of good and evil and talking snakes. A Global Flood could be a literary device to illustrate the destructiveness of human versus God’s ways. Maybe the writers used an analogy of a Flood and drowning because their world view including God controlling the natural world. I might not read the Flood story to young children but wait to explain the above that maybe God didn’t really drown practically the entire human race. Personally, I wouldn’t use a drowning analogy to portray God’s character. 

Did a whale really swallow Jonah? 

I suppose most kids won’t avoid water or the ocean when reading this story. Nevertheless, how might you explain such a story to younger children if they ask. Certain evidence suggests Jonah wasn’t really shallowed by a whale. The gullet of a whale is too small to swallow an adult. The gastric juices and lack of oxygen would not sustain human life for days such as Jonah writing a poem while inside the whale (Eric Seibert ). Ninevah was a real city but this story maybe wasn’t meant to be taken literally. Read the full story. It may be trying to illustrate God had a right to show compassion. Jonah’s enthusiasm for the destruction of his enemies was misguided.

So, how do I read the Older Testament to my children?

It’s understandable choosing to not share many of the Bible stories with children. Young children aren’t always equipped to understand when stories aren’t meant to be taken literally. The Bible is God’s story beginning with Israel and culminating with the life of Jesus that we don’t possess in any other document. God may have inspired the writers to write but didn’t necessarily approve of everything written about God. When reading the Bible, question and contemplate what a loving God is really like. Enjoy what God is trying to reveal to you about your Creator and how to treat others. Interpretations about God’s love toward others, that don’t match how you know you ought to love your neighbor, may be amiss. A Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense.

Are Biblical Stories Helpful Or Harmful To Children?

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Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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6 Reasons Old Testament Portrayals Of God As Genocidal And Violent Are False!

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , , on February 4, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

Biblical passages portray God as sanctioning genocide or drowning practically an entire human race including children and infant. Many form their view of God according to the Bible. Our views of God impact the way we imitate or relate to God. I will site much of Eric Seibert scholarship, who has written a mind-blowing book on disturbing divine behaviors in the OT. God seems so unlike the God that Jesus portrayed. When we read “God said” in the Bible, did the writers record what God actually said aloud or what they believed God would say? We must question if there are differences between biblical portrayals of God and God’s true character.

We can’t prove God approved of the biblical writers’ thoughts about God

Few believe God dictated the writers’ recordings. You certainly can’t prove God controlled the writers’ thoughts that were written down. We can’t prove the writers understood God perfectly other than taking their word by claiming they are inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16-17). That is circular reasoning. The truth is we don’t know God’s role. We were surely created to love the way the Creator loves. We must challenge if the writers’ thoughts or our interpretations are contradictory of a loving God according to our moral intuitions.

Controlling love is an oxymoron. A loving God can no more control than they can manipulate. God obviously doesn’t control one’s actions or thoughts with so much evil in the world contrary to God’s desires. And if God can raise the dead, God can obviously control transmissions of words supposedly given to the biblical writers – but God didn’t! We don’t have the original manuscripts but copies of copies of the original. The NT is gathered from over 5000 manuscripts. Over time the variations became more substantial. The Catholic Bible has more books than the Protestant Bible. Which books did God supposedly inspire (pp. 267-268)? Maybe God wasn’t in control of what was written or transmitted.

The first reasons to doubt OT portrayals is a moral God can’t command horrific evils 

Many may not realize there are hundreds of passages in the OT that speak of God taking revenge or threatening destruction or punishment by death including genocide of an entire nation. Please see Eric Seibert. I will cite only a few instances that require explanation. God commanded the genocide of all Amalekites, including women, children, infants, and animals (I Sam 15:2-3). God ends up killing over 70,000 people for David taking a census that was authorized by God (2 Sam 24:15). God drowned the entire human race except Noah and family, including children and infants (Gen. 7:23). God causes or at least permits dozens of people to die to simply win a divine wager with Satan (Job). Such actions are highly questionable of a loving God.

A moral God couldn’t possibly have authorized many of the Israelite laws

When it comes to many of the laws, the OT claims God spoke these words (Exodus 20:1). Biblical writers rarely claimed audible God-speak. “God said” recorded hundreds of times in the Bible is most likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God – right or wrong. Anyway, did God really authorize the following laws (pp. 17-18):

  • Did God really mandate whoever curses their parents be put to death (Ex. 21:17)?
  • Did God really mandate to death a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Num 15:32-36)?
  • Did God really require death for adultery (Lev 20:10)? They would be lot of bodies today
  • Did God really command whoever does work on the Sabbath be put to death (Ex 31:15)?
  • Did God really command death for those who blaspheme the name of the Lord (Lev 24:16)?

A moral God can’t control one’s worldview 

God can’t control the worldviews of the writers either. The Israelites though God controlled the natural world such as causing famines to punish. It was thought God gave victory or defeat in battle. Today we don’t think that way, that God was the direct cause of planes flying into building on 9/11. Most don’t blame tsunamis and other natural disasters on God. Jesus didn’t blame tragedies by God as rewarding the righteous and punishing the unfaithful (Lk 13:1-5). Biblical writers were likely trying to explain the unexplainable. Even today, many claim “everything happens for a reason” as if God is in control.

Archaeological findings don’t always support OT historical events reported 

Seibert points out that assuming OT historical narratives were written to record what actually happened is a modern but not past historiographic assumption (p.105). Archaeological evidence doesn’t suggest the wall of Jericho miraculously crumbling down, and Jericho was completely destroyed by the Israelites despite the Bible claiming so (Joshua 6:20, 24). So, it is possible the violence contributed to God in these passages (Joshua 6-11) might not have happened as well. OT narratives were often written decades if not centuries later when the supposed events happened.

Was Jonah really shallowed by a whale? Certain evidence suggests otherwise. The gullet of a whale is too small to swallow an adult. The gastric juices and lack of oxygen would not sustain human life for days such as Jonah writing a poem while inside the whale (p.95). Jonah walked through Ninevah requiring 3 days (Jonah 3:3). Archaeology has discovered Ninevah to be 7.5 miles in diameter. Walking end to end could have been done in less than half a day. Ninevah was a real city but this story wasn’t meant to be taken literally. The story illustrates God had a right to show compassion. Our enthusiasm for the destruction of enemies is misguided. 

A moral God can’t apply justice unfairly 

God kills Uzzah for putting his hand out to balance the Ark from falling (S Sam 6:7), yet God is silent when David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed (2 Sam 11:14).

God is so unlike the God Jesus portrays in the NT 

Jesus said: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). Jesus referring to stories in the OT doesn’t mean he approved of all views expressed about God. Jesus never referred to passages that speak of God commanding genocide or a warrior who fights physical battles for his chosen. (pp.191-207). Jesus referred to the global flood but didn’t identify God as the cause of the Flood as the OT does. Jesus instead often refers to a God who is kind to the wicked. Jesus was so unlike the God of the OT that perhaps God was not like how often portrayed by OT writers.

Why should I bother to read the OT? 

The Bible is God’s story beginning with Israel and culminating with the life of Jesus that we don’t possess in any other document. God may have inspired the writers to write but didn’t necessarily approve of everything written about God. When reading the Bible, question and contemplate what a loving God is really like. Enjoy what God is trying to reveal to you about your Creator and how to treat others. Imagine if extremists had to consider that God didn’t inspire every word in their Book, and we had to openly discuss what a loving God is like. Interpretations about God’s love toward others, that don’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor, may be amiss. A Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense.

https://6 Reasons Old Testament Portrayals Of God As Genocidal And Violent Are False!

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Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , , on January 28, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

No one knows definitively what awaits us after death. Not all scholars agree the English word “Hell” translated from Greek in the Bible suggested a fiery, torturous afterlife. It is wisest to assume a fiery, tortuous afterlife doesn’t await many. It can only traumatize young people. It leads many to atheism. Who wants to follow a God that tortures unbelievers? It is important we speak out against this theology of Hell when so much uncertainty exist. A Pew Poll suggests 58% believe in Hell as a place of everlasting torture. Many more evangelical Christians believe and they are encouraged to evangelize their friends.

Hell was never mentioned as a consequence during warnings of Global punishments 

Set aside whether you believe Genesis should be read literally as opposed to metaphorically to convey a spiritual truth. Adam and Eve were warned of death if ate from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil. This decision supposedly set up billions after them to fall into the same sin. No warning of Hell! Noah warned of a global destructive flood for evil behaviors. No warning of Hell! Old Testaments prophets warned their people to stop destructive actions but never mentioned Hell. It seems cruel by God not warning if such serious consequences really existed.

Hell is never mentioned in all of the Old Testament

Hell is never mentioned once in the OT as a place for infidels. The Hebrew word “Sheol” is only mentioned as an abode for all the dead, believers or unbelievers, and was not mentioned as a place of judgment. There is not one mention about punishment being eternal in the OT.

The word for Hell in the New Testament doesn’t suggest eternal punishment

A literal Hell in the afterlife is nowhere to be found in the Bible. The English word “Hell” is a translation of the Greek word Gehenna. Jesus spoke of a place called Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside of Jerusalem. Corpse were burned not kept alive. This is how you know interpretations have gone to hell. A metaphor, illustrating the destructiveness of sin, is used to push fear to obey or you are lit on fire and kept alive.

Jesus told the woman who had committed adultery: “go now, and leave your life of sin” (John 8). Where was Jesus’ evangelical spiel if he didn’t see this woman again? Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life. Jesus spoke of how to start living here on earth not what awaited in the afterlife. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. You don’t have to drop to your knees and say a prayer to get “in” with God. You only have to want God’s help. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. 

Writers Paul and John never mentioned Hell

The Apostles Paul and John recorded much of the New Testament. They didn’t even mention Hell once, much less punishment being eternal. James used a word other than Gehenna once; otherwise only Jesus referred to Hell (Gehenna).

The Lake of Fire in Revelation doesn’t even suggest a fiery, torturous punishment

Fire in the Bible is used more metaphorically than a literal fire where people are tortured forever after death. If dragons with seven heads are considered figuratively in Revelation, why wouldn’t the Lake of Fire be a metaphor? Revelation only suggests believers and unbelievers will face some kind of judgment after death. Fire is used in the New Testament for judgment and discipline but not to destroy or burn forever in flames (I Cor 3:14-15; 12:7-11). 

The threat of Hell is relationally ludicrous 

God’s continual encouragement and mercy, not the fear of Hell or gloomy uncertainty of God’s favor, is our necessary nourishment for lasting changes of the heart. How real is faith if only to avoid Hell? Genuine changes result when knowing you are deeply loved by a parent or God empowering you to reflect such love to others. The Cross reveals our ugly nature not God’s anger for appeasement. Who kills a man simply for claiming to be God? Go ahead and live like Hell while on earth! Careful the regrets you, your family, and friends will feel at the end of your life.

Heaven can’t be a place of happiness if loved ones are living a torturous existence

Unless God denies us freedom, how can we truly be happy when millions, including loved ones, are being burned forever. If God has such power/control over happiness, why not use the same power over rebelliousness.

Hell is neither just or necessary 

Hitler is condemned for torturing millions of Jews for a time; God is said to condemn billions and torture forever. This makes God immoral. Torture doesn’t bring back a victim’s robbed memories of the future due to the murder of a loved one. Real justice is understanding your victim’s pain and accepting the harmfulness of your actions. After death God may bring to memory every unrepented action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others. We can have less concerns about justice in the future by accepting God’s influence in our life here on earth.

Hell doesn’t solve evil

It is claimed God will eventually conquer evil. If evildoers live a torturous existence forever, how exactly did God solve evil?

Hell is an impossible free choice

For a minute forget about the Hitler example and think of family and friends who don’t believe in God or follow Jesus the way you do. They may score higher on the morality scale than you. It is possible that God gives one ultimately freedom to choose their destiny after life here on earth. See here. It isn’t rationally possible in the afterlife to choose hell/torture in one’s right mind over Heaven. No one puts their hand in a fire and leaves it there. We would call them insane, not truly free. If Hell was true, a loving God would be obligated to make sure one understood this reality. 

God can’t be all-knowing and there be a Hell 

Many who argue for the reality of Hell, because of the Bible, suggest that same Bible reveals God is all-knowing including knowing the future. I have claimed that God’s can’t know the future if freedom is genuine. See here.  If God somehow knew the future, that means God created knowing millions would burn in Hell forever. It may be suggested that is one’s choice, but I argued above no one would freely choose Hell. You can’t convince me that God would ever create a human being if Hell was a reality. I wouldn’t have children if I knew their destination was Hell.

God giving up isn’t conceivable

Can God really stop being forgiving? Human parents can’t despite their imperfections. There are consequences in this life and there may be painful reckonings in the life to come, but God can’t stop showing grace. Why would God have a complete character lobotomy after we take our last breath here on earth? Is a thief going to enter Paradise but not others with lesser sins because they weren’t next to Jesus hanging on Cross right before their last breath? God’s grace doesn’t depend on whether one has more opportunities to respond to God than others.

God creating a literal Hell where people are tortured for billions of years for beliefs held a short time here on earth isn’t biblical much less morally possible!

12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!

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Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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God’s Message In The Bible Isn’t Go To Hell But What ?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, The church, tagged , , , , , on January 21, 2024|

By Mike Edwards

Church folks have been told forever, who then tell others, that Jesus’ life and death on the Cross was to spare us from going to Hell to appease God’s anger about our sins. This isn’t how Jesus interacted with others. Relationships with humans or God can’t be built on fear and anger rather than love and grace. Christians often try to save others from a fiery afterlife rather than discussing how God’s presence in our life can help become more the person we desire to become deep down. Godly living in this world leads to a meaningful life with less regrets.

Has God’s message (Gospel) been hijacked?

Jesus’ message couldn’t be about avoiding Hell. Common understandings of Hell aren’t necessarily biblical. See here. Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life. Jesus spoke of how to start living here on earth not what awaited in the afterlife. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). I am convinced Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. You don’t have to drop to your knees and say a prayer to get “in” with God. You only have to want God’s help. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help.

How did Jesus interact with others in the Gospels? 

Most Christians believe to understand Jesus is to understand God. I read through the Gospel of Mark to see what Jesus’ message was to others. Mark’s Gospel is considered the earliest written from which Matthew and Luke cited. In all the Gospels Jesus never advises to preach to the masses to save them from Hell in the afterlife. Jesus sought to help others avoid hell here on earth. Sin is destructive. It has natural consequences.  

  • When Jesus met his disciples, he only said “follow me.” (Mark 1: 16:17, 2:14) A set of beliefs wasn’t required. I don’t see any message to the disciples other than living a life worth living.
  • Jesus said “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35) Being close to God or Jesus isn’t claiming certain beliefs or traditions; Jesus simply encouraged actions that lead to loving others as yourself. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
  • People were bringing children to Jesus and he said “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15) The kingdom of God was not a future home but a current reality. Jesus has just said “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” (Mark 9:1)
  • A rich person asked how to have eternal life. Jesus said sell everything and follow me. (Mark 10: 17-31) Surely Jesus’ point was to love people more than possessions. What does following Jesus mean? When asked what was the greatest commandments, Jesus only said to love God and your neighbors (Mark 12:30-31). What! Not drop to your knees and say a prayer!
  • The above interactions are similar to when Jesus dealt with the women caught in adultery. (Jn. 7:53-8:11) Jesus only encouraged the woman to go and sin no more. Where was his evangelical spiel. He might never see her again! Apparently, Jesus came to encourage living a loving life toward others and yourself. That’s the way a loving God does.

God seeks to help avoid a life full of regrets

We are often told the main message of the Bible is Jesus coming to give you salvation to save you from Hell so you could enter Heaven. I am convinced Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. There are no beliefs necessary. You only have to want God’s help in pursuing a life not full of regrets. Try it! It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us. The Cross is about our violence, not God requiring violence to forgive us. Killing a man simply for claiming to be God reveals our ugly violent nature not God’s. Personally, following God has inspired and encouraged me to be the person I desire to be. I haven’t arrived but I’m on that journey.

What Really Is God’s Message To Us According To The Bible?

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Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

 

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