I always found it crazy that some denominations believe that. I grew up Catholic and was explicitly told we were NOT to fear God but instead to think of God as a loving father. It wasn’t until I got to college that I learned some Christian faiths went the fear route.
Christians aren't big on Hebrew. One of the most important concepts in the Torah is , צדק צדק which means _just justice._ This is the basis of due process, that administering justice must be done justly. I have seen Christian Bibles that translate this as "only justice " Really. I am not making this up. Even the translators are illiterate.
Even when they get the translation right, they're unable to understand. Genesis says יהרה created people male _and_ female, not male _or_ female. Damned transphobes can't even speak their own fucking language!
As for _fear,_ the better translation would be something like _appreciate_ or _admire_ or _hold in awe_ or even _respect._ It doesn't mean terror.
It is a logical progression to go from a god of retribution and vengeance to a god that extracts infinite punishment in hell. One must fear hell and, by extension, the god that imposes it. When I was a young Christian at one point I tried asking every Christian I knew what reasons they had for believing that did not include heaven or hell. I was pretty stunned that only one of them was able to give an actual answer. I wound up getting answers like, "If he never does anything more for me, I will be eternally grateful that he has saved me from hell". The fact that Christianity is more about escaping hell than arriving in heaven can be demonstrated by asking Christians what heaven is like. I concluded that in hell one is physically tormented for eternity whereas in heaven one is psychically tormented for all eternity. Definitely a god to fear if you choose to believe but not, as you point out, a god worthy of any respect at all.
That is a fine answer and I would have accepted it. There are some good teachings in there, such as in Matthew 5 when Jesus says: "whatsoever you do to the least of these you do to me" and the corollary "whatsoever you do not do to the least of these you do not do to me". If this and similar teachings were actually guiding principles for Christian behavior then Christianity would not even need to be true to be valuable. Alas and alack.
They really don’t want you to “ fear” God. They want you to fear them. They have some batshit crazy disorder that makes them think their opinions about your life should matter
Isn’t respect a magical thing?? Looking back I don’t think my ex respected me ever in almost 40 years of marriage! You have a partner worth the respect.
And your mom!! Holy 💩!! I remember the change in the eyes and expression with my ex…so scary for a kid who will never be able to give the “right” answer.
You have succeeded in being nothing like your mother (who sounds pretty feral tbh)!! You are a critical thinker with a dark sense of humor (my favorite).
Absolutely. My father used to say he’d call the police on us all the time. And what did his behavior get him? Estrangement from at least 2 out of 3 kids.
We shouldn't fear their God,they should.The things that are written about what's waiting for people just like them,are hair raising.
None of it is pretty,and none of it is good.
“I never knew you,go away from me,you evildoers…”Matthew 7:21-23.
God don't think much of people who hurt others in his name,or who allow themselves to be mislead or worse,mislead others.
These people are gravely mistaken.They are so busy pushing people away from God,they don't realize what they have set themselves up for.
We are supposed to love and take care of our neighbors,not just the people who we like.I think it's so sad that these so called Christianists have so much hatred and malice towards practically everyone not in their”image”,and those same people think it's okay to take away from the poor,sick and elderly.And also to mistreat immigrants,we are supposed to stand with them too.They are people too,and someday we could also be in their place,running for our lives from our homes and praying for a safe harbor to escape to.Would we want to be treated this way in another place just because we came from somewhere else?It could easily soon be us!
I love that so many people are standing the gap for each other,and I really do hope things can be turned around for all of us.I know it's scary,and it's hard,but love is what we need to spread around,not hate.
I always found it crazy that some denominations believe that. I grew up Catholic and was explicitly told we were NOT to fear God but instead to think of God as a loving father. It wasn’t until I got to college that I learned some Christian faiths went the fear route.
Would have been hard to grow up Catholic otherwise.
Christians aren't big on Hebrew. One of the most important concepts in the Torah is , צדק צדק which means _just justice._ This is the basis of due process, that administering justice must be done justly. I have seen Christian Bibles that translate this as "only justice " Really. I am not making this up. Even the translators are illiterate.
Even when they get the translation right, they're unable to understand. Genesis says יהרה created people male _and_ female, not male _or_ female. Damned transphobes can't even speak their own fucking language!
As for _fear,_ the better translation would be something like _appreciate_ or _admire_ or _hold in awe_ or even _respect._ It doesn't mean terror.
So well spelled out! And oddly, the ACTUAL translation makes so much more sense. Lol
It is a logical progression to go from a god of retribution and vengeance to a god that extracts infinite punishment in hell. One must fear hell and, by extension, the god that imposes it. When I was a young Christian at one point I tried asking every Christian I knew what reasons they had for believing that did not include heaven or hell. I was pretty stunned that only one of them was able to give an actual answer. I wound up getting answers like, "If he never does anything more for me, I will be eternally grateful that he has saved me from hell". The fact that Christianity is more about escaping hell than arriving in heaven can be demonstrated by asking Christians what heaven is like. I concluded that in hell one is physically tormented for eternity whereas in heaven one is psychically tormented for all eternity. Definitely a god to fear if you choose to believe but not, as you point out, a god worthy of any respect at all.
People understand what they call their “faith” so little….sigh.
For me, whether or not there’s a heaven or hell, Jesus’ teachings are well worth living by. I guess that would have been my answer.
That is a fine answer and I would have accepted it. There are some good teachings in there, such as in Matthew 5 when Jesus says: "whatsoever you do to the least of these you do to me" and the corollary "whatsoever you do not do to the least of these you do not do to me". If this and similar teachings were actually guiding principles for Christian behavior then Christianity would not even need to be true to be valuable. Alas and alack.
Exactly…
Abusers use fear and indoctrination to control, dominate, and own people.
That is what religions and patriarchy is all about.
They are liars and abusers.
They really don’t want you to “ fear” God. They want you to fear them. They have some batshit crazy disorder that makes them think their opinions about your life should matter
And they are cowards
Isn’t respect a magical thing?? Looking back I don’t think my ex respected me ever in almost 40 years of marriage! You have a partner worth the respect.
And your mom!! Holy 💩!! I remember the change in the eyes and expression with my ex…so scary for a kid who will never be able to give the “right” answer.
You have succeeded in being nothing like your mother (who sounds pretty feral tbh)!! You are a critical thinker with a dark sense of humor (my favorite).
Absolutely. My father used to say he’d call the police on us all the time. And what did his behavior get him? Estrangement from at least 2 out of 3 kids.
Thank you for sharing this reflection. It feels very sad (to me) to fear the divine.
Same here
We shouldn't fear their God,they should.The things that are written about what's waiting for people just like them,are hair raising.
None of it is pretty,and none of it is good.
“I never knew you,go away from me,you evildoers…”Matthew 7:21-23.
God don't think much of people who hurt others in his name,or who allow themselves to be mislead or worse,mislead others.
These people are gravely mistaken.They are so busy pushing people away from God,they don't realize what they have set themselves up for.
We are supposed to love and take care of our neighbors,not just the people who we like.I think it's so sad that these so called Christianists have so much hatred and malice towards practically everyone not in their”image”,and those same people think it's okay to take away from the poor,sick and elderly.And also to mistreat immigrants,we are supposed to stand with them too.They are people too,and someday we could also be in their place,running for our lives from our homes and praying for a safe harbor to escape to.Would we want to be treated this way in another place just because we came from somewhere else?It could easily soon be us!
I love that so many people are standing the gap for each other,and I really do hope things can be turned around for all of us.I know it's scary,and it's hard,but love is what we need to spread around,not hate.
Hey Lilith! Am on Substack now, great to find you. Am following. Loved this piece.
They ARENT Christians-
They are PHARISITIC F*CKS that any ACTUAL Christian despises through and through.
.
The VERY issue is people taking things out of context-
It doesn’t mean to be afraid of God..it’s literally about karma, cause and effect..
Because the fact is-God is the universal energy that ANYONE can connect to-
And Christianity actually backs that up.