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I struggle to make sense of some stuff I read in the Bible that makes me not even wanna attempt to be a “Christian” anymore
There’s lots of different examples of verses I can talk about that makes me feel like this but that would take hours so I’ll just explain in the simplest way I can. Whenever I open my Bible and start to explore different verses in different chapters, I always think to myself “Wow, whoever this God is does not sound very kind or loving or compassionate at all.” In Thessalonians it says he’s gonna INTENTIONALLY send delusions to people who don’t believe in him so he can then condemn them to burn in Hell for the rest of eternity🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ Am I missing an important plot point, or is that maybe not something a very good kind and loving God would do to his creation?🤔🤔🤔 This is just one example of many that makes me feel like the theme of the Bible is “Obey me or you’re going to Hell forever” why would a loving God try to scare and intimidate people into loving him and then if you don’t it means he’s okay with letting you be eternally tortured in Hell? Again, am I missing an important plot point or is this maybe not something a good, kind loving God would do to his creation? I think the Christian idea of people going to Hell forever if they don’t perfectly repent of their “sins” in this temporary life is one of the most evil and cruel ideologies I’ve ever heard of and it totally disregards and shuns vulnerable groups of people like what about people with severe mental illnesses who can’t even properly understand anything the Bible says? What about the 17 year old teenager who got hit by a car died and the worst “sin” they ever did in their life is play with their weener because God made him full of testosterone causing his penis to get hard? What about the college kids who got brutally murdered with a machine gun by a psychotic school shooter? Are all these people doomed to Hell for the rest of eternity because they didn’t become a “Christian” in their life? UNBELIEVABLY CRUEL AND EVIL IDEOLOGY.
This bothers me because I resonate and agree with the teachings of Jesus and I don’t feel like Jesus is the same entity as what the Bible describes as “God”. I’m gonna do my best to follow the teachings of Jesus which is to help the poor, feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, spread love and compassion and kindness to people and try to flee from sexual immorality etc. But I have some serious moral problems with Christianity and the Bible as an organized religion and don’t think I’ll be labelling myself as a “Christian” anymore
submitted by /u/neonberry0
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Your concerns are understandable and many have wrestled with these questions. Yet, it is important to consider the full context of scripture and the nature of God. In the Bible, God is revealed as both just and merciful. It is true that in 2 Thessalonians 2:11, God sends a “strong delusion” to those who have chosen to reject the truth. But this is not God tricking people into disbelief, it’s a judgment on those who have persistently chosen to reject Him and His truth.
As for hell, it’s important to remember Jesus’ words in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” God’s desire is not for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
As for those who have not heard the gospel or cannot comprehend it due to mental illness, we trust in God’s justice and mercy. We do not know the fate of each individual, but we know God is just.
You are correct to say that following the teachings of Jesus means to help the poor, feed the hungry, and spread love. This doesn’t mean you need to label yourself as a “Christian”. Remember, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). This is the greatest commandment Jesus gave us.