Do you think if your first exposure to god was reading the old testament that you would love and praise god? [Spirituality & Religion]

Christians are always telling me i need to respect god and devote myself to him...
But if you're going to say god is real and the bible describes his nature to us, how do you get around all the heinous, despicable shit he's apparently done and ordered done?

How do you love and respect someone like that if you're not already starting from a place of faith and excusing such behaviour?

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HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

You can't really control what you believe in. Believers don't judge god based on human/societal standards; in fact they just don't judge god. I know it's hard to grasp as a non believer but that's how it is.

Pikachu

@HannibalAteMeOut

[quote] in fact they just don't judge god[/quote]

Well exactly. And i wonder if that's a position which can be arrived at by most people only by first being taught that god is good and beyond reproach or if that's a common conclusion one reaches if one's first exposure is reading the OT

BlueVeins · 22-25

@HannibalAteMeOut As a former believer, that's far from a universal thing.

HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

@Pikachu actually I'm wondering why they use words as good, forgiving etc about god if they don't judge him in the first place. If I believed, I'd just be neutral about god, but it's more complicated because there's an evil too out there (or there has to be) and there must be a battle between good and evil and all that stuff.
My guess is they're taught. I mean if somebody was born without being in touch with any religion and then at some point in their life decide to read a holy book somehow then I don't know what their reaction would be. Holy books usually use a language that indicates god is good and that the bad things he causes are justified.

Pikachu

@HannibalAteMeOut

lol interesting. I guess there is an inherent judgement being made...but only in the positive.

[quote]I mean if somebody was born without being in touch with any religion and then at some point in their life decide to read a holy book [/quote]

Well that's essentially my experience. Of course i was aware of christianity but my parents weren't religious and also didn't try to steer me away from religion.
It was my personal experience of the bible that led me to the views i hold now.

HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

@Pikachu the conclusion is it just depends on the person. You read it and thought that the actions of god were bad, someone else might read it and feel like they should praise god for his actions. I guess.

Pikachu

@HannibalAteMeOut

They might. But i'm wondering how often that is actually the case.

HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

@Pikachu who knows... we might as well organize a case study 😆

Pikachu

@HannibalAteMeOut
Not it!

Harriet03 · 41-45, F

@HannibalAteMeOut Convienent isn't it?!!

HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

@Harriet03 oh it is, comfortable and convenient!

Carazaa · F

@HannibalAteMeOut
You are right! Christians believe God that we are sinners so we judge ourselves, not God! Because we are guilty! That’s hard to swallow, most don’t ! But it’s the truth! Jesus God almighty loves us and tells us the truth! And he takes our sins on his account so we don’t have to suffer the consequence!

HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

@Carazaa I was raised as a christian so I understand the thinking even though I don't follow the religion myself.