Fear

[imhereforyou]

It works.
Fear of dying in a car crash (or getting fined) causes people to buckle up.
Fear of sharks keeps some out of the ocean.
Fear of clowns keeps some away from parties and circuses (though I'd argue there are many other reason to stay away from circuses).
But the fear of God... that makes no sense.
Why should we fear God if he's loving and wants us to spend eternity with him (like many churches teach)?
But we see how he has, at times, eliminated those that anger him (even innocent ones I'd say). So maybe we should fear him?
Besides all that, there's HELL - Oooooooo the scary places with fire and gnashing of teeth where those cry out for water to quench their thirst but are never quenched (of the place devoid of God whichever version your church teaches you). You should be scared of Hell because 'it's bad so come to God and seek his forgiveness!'
Is that concept, which is taught in many, many Christian churches on the planet, a fair and honest way to get people to God? Should his love, grace and mercy be enough to entice those towards him? Obviously not or this taught fear of Hell wouldn't exist.
So why do we need the fear of Hell? Shouldn't God himself, in all his glory, be enough? Shouldn't his splendor outshine the dank, dearth of Hell so much that fear isn't needed?
Or, like Hell, should we fear God?

[marco]

How would Jesus expect Israel to behave in relation to Palestine? Would it be any different to how Israel is presently behaving?

Probably not since Jesus came not to offer peace, but division, setting father against son. I have the greatest sympathy and indeed admiration for Israel. She is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

God's silly promise of interest-free land to his favourite nation has caused aa lot of problems. As with Christianity, God has broken many hearts. His Islamic face doesn't seem an improvement. He still spreads terror.

[William]

[Replying to post 11 by marco]

Probably not since Jesus came not to offer peace, but division, setting father against son.

That is an interesting take on the mission of Jesus. it appears to me that the mission was a lot more diverse than the way you are claiming it to be.
Even taking that into account, what is the difference between a father/son relationship and that of neighborly love?

In relation to fathers and son's there is the problem of racial prejudiced, bigotry, familiarity, nepotism etc. These things can and do act as stumbling blocks to neighborly love and are useful devices in supporting warfare.

I have the greatest sympathy and indeed admiration for Israel. She is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

If indeed she is damned, then it will be on account of her actions, just like the rest of the world.

God's silly promise of interest-free land to his favourite nation has caused aa lot of problems.

People who blame/credit GOD for the atrocities they themselves commit, are not worthy of sympathy for those actions, whether they know not what they do or otherwise.

The message of neighborly love trumps the message of familiar/family, nation, creed, culture, politics, race, gender and every other separatist invention of human beings.

If Israel wishes to continue with the idea that she is chosen by GOD, she will have to change her policies to suit that or suffer the consequences of her evil actions done in the name of GOD. Claiming Jesus is in the wrong for teaching that love for one's neighbor is better than loyalty to the familiar isn't a get out of jail free card.

As with Christianity, God has broken many hearts. His Islamic face doesn't seem an improvement. He still spreads terror.

Humans doing atrocities in the name of GOD are those who are spreading terror. Blaming GOD for our own evil actions doesn't change that fact.

One cannot stand and face the terror if one is is admiring the actions of those who inflict it onto others.

It should be obvious by now that and eye for an eye is an insane policy. Sons honoring the evil intent of fathers is insanity.

[marco]

Humans doing atrocities in the name of GOD are those who are spreading terror. Blaming GOD for our own evil actions doesn't change that fact.

One cannot stand and face the terror if one is is admiring the actions of those who inflict it onto others.

It should be obvious by now that and eye for an eye is an insane policy. Sons honoring the evil intent of fathers is insanity.

Let's move from Israel's understandable retaliation to fear of God. Yes, people who uphold a God certainly inspire fear sometimes, but you are right to say that this is not fear of God. Most of us can cope with a threat from God but we take notice when the threat comes from flesh and blood.

The God who seems to generate fear and hatred is the Abrahamic one. It is hard to read through the OT and come away with a picture of a cuddlesome creator. Move to the Koran for the updated version and he inspires terror - in more ways than one.