Why would god, a being who is told to have profound love and compassion, create punishment and suffering for his subjects in order to be praised? As someone who grew up with abusive and neglectful parents, I find the concept of an all-powerful and compassionate god whose wrath must be seen in fear to be difficult to contemplate. Certain actions by god are very psychologically questionable; manipulation, for example. In no loving, reciprocated relationship does mental abuse and manipulation count as love. Why would someone or something which claims to love us put us through harmful situations on purpose?
I dont think most people believe that god punishes them to be on "his ego trip".
And the ones going on and on 'whats written in the bible'...
Well...Humans wrote the bible.
Its questionable just because of that fact alone. ^^
Plus, the bible on its own was basically made to manipulate people.
It also has alot of translation errors and some stuff was changed on purpose.
And lets not even start how many version there are.
So...
I think it depends on who reads the bible and what things you take from it.
and...I read some texts that contradicted other earlier parts. Happens because it has all those differnet human-ideas in it.
So I take the bible with a grain of salt. Actually, I see it more at the same level as fairytals. That it has messages to teach you.
But not all those ideas are still usefull or good.
What I mean is, my belief is quit different then what stands in an old guidance book. Or what others claim or belief.
for me it feels kinda like people try disscusing; why the universe created black holes.
....I dont think the universe did that on purpose. the universe has no will or intentions.
Well...maybe it has one, how can I know for 100%. But, im not ready to believe that.
(I hope my statement didnt hurt others. Belief what you want, people.)
(Im not done talking, yet. I drift away for a little, until I come back to the topic.)
That reminds me, there was once an old fanatic lady, who called my family satanic. [She had a bad relationship with her daughter, which felt loved by us, but avoided her mother. So that old lady was jealous. I also think she had an undiagnosed personality disorder. which made it hard for her to connect with her kids. She didnt realize how harmful she was to others. A part of me still wants to help her. Making her realize thats something inside her needs healing. She basically ruined everyones life. But she never listened to me anyway. Everyone left her. I feel bad for her, but im also mad at her for not even trying to reflecting on her behavior once. ...she feels pretty lost.]
Her going crazy calling us satans children and stuff, made me laugh. Because it kinda made me proud and sad. Sad, because she was so desprate. And proud, because she basically titled me as a satan. Not knowing what satan originally WAS or MEANT.
I always liked the idea to test/challenge peoples belief in the world and/or their religious belief. (In harmless ways. By asking them difficult or deep questions. Or finding contradictions in their thinking.)
I dont know why.
Its not out of spite or something. I just feel ...as if I have to do it. Especially when I think they can potentially harm others with their words, way of thinking, or actions. Hard to explain.
...
So, when people call me demonic or child of satan, they basically flatter me. (I'm odd.)
Just because Im different and reject things I dont want to respect.
but the things I actually wanted to say is;
In older concepts god was neither good nor evil.
But let me ask something; if you want 'good', you cant know it, if theres was never 'bad'.
Maybe it sooths your pain, when you know, that you probably can feel and apprecciate the 'good' way harder, because you suffered so much.
other people who havent suffered, are kinda ...ignorant to their life and those of others. (If they arent extremly empathic.)
Its pretty sad and pathetic, if one cant feel the pleasure of "good" things, out of ignorance.
(those with mental or physical stuff, that hinders them to feel the pleasure, arent ignorant. Those are currently suffering too. Unless its not somthing in their brain, but something in their behavior which they learned/evolved. [not realizing that they need help or healing])
you can probably feel the pain of others pretty good, so the pain you suffered and still suffer from, made you better.
Unless you decide to
not make it into an adventage.
If it has meaning or not is always up to oneself.
One can feel betrayed all life long. One can hate as much as they want to. Nobody can stop that. Nor does it need to be a weakness.
It just would be a waste of pain, if one is just mad about it instead of using what was forced onto them anyway.
(I dont know if you already do that [using it as an adventage]. I guess you do.)
If it doesnt kill you, it
can make you stronger.
(BUT People, this is not meant to be an excuse to go out being harmfull to others "just to make them stronger". Everyone be nice. Help others, if you can. Be kind. Unless they dont deserve it right now.
More important, protect yourself.)