Why Do Some People Seem to Hate God?

[SNPete]

I am curious about, maybe even a little fascinated with the concept of hating God. Why is it that some folks like Son of Belial see to hold a hatred or contempt towards God.

Quote by: Son of Belial Basically you're saying that since he's God, it's okay for him to be a sadistic fascist. I already understood this, and never contested it. That was actually the point I was trying to make, I'm glad you agree. Since we've agreed that God is allowed to be a sadist and hurt people just because he can, let's move on to a new direction. Since we're trying to be more Godlike, and God has demonstrated that you can do whatever you want as long as you're powerful enough, there's nothing wrong with me killing and torturing as long as I get away with it. God does those things, and he does them because he can. So if I was strong enough to do them and get away with it, that would make me Godlike.

I mean aside from creating everything and giving people life, what has God done that would make some people hate Him. Sometimes God does things we don’t like or agree with, but since we owe our very existence to God, who are we to complain or tell God that he is a bad deity? It is one thing to complain, but having hate and contempt. I just don’t understand. To me this seems bizarre.

So, for my own education (and perhaps for others as well), to those that do dislike God: why do you hate God?

[Osborn F Enready]

Because "many" of his earthbound representatives are unable to respect others beliefs, or tolerate any other belief.

I don't hate God, "IF" there is a God, though I am pretty peeved at his decision making and careless regard for those who he deems "unworthy".

I do strongly dislike many of his earthbound representatives though, and they brought it all on themselves by not knowing where to draw the line between beleif and law, and between minding their business and minding OTHER peoples business.

(sorry if I offended anyone with the "he" comments, it is just easier than typing he/she/it everytime)

[Son of Belial]

I mean aside from creating everything and giving people life, what has God done that would make some people hate Him.

This is an answer called "You had to ask."

For the record, I don't hate God. I hate your God.

Numbers 25
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.

Hosea 13
8 Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open. Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will tear them apart.

Numbers 31
15 "Have you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. 16 "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. 17 Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

Psalm 137
8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us- 9 he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

Deuteronomy 7
1 When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations-the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you- 2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.

Deuteronomy 13
6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Joshua 6
20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it-men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

Hosea 13
16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.


Other than this, Deicide sums it up quite well here.

[SoccerfreakAB2]

Quote by: Son of Belial This is an answer called "You had to ask." For the record, I don't hate God. I hate your God. Numbers 25 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. Hosea 13 8 Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open. Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will tear them apart. Numbers 31 15 "Have you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. 16 "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. 17 Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man. Psalm 137 8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us- 9 he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. Deuteronomy 7 1 When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations-the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you- 2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. Deuteronomy 13 6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Joshua 6 20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it-men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. Hosea 13 16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up. Other than this, Deicide sums it up quite well here.

Good post Belial, and I agree with born Osborn and you. I don't hate God. I hate the Christian God. I hate things that are hypocritical and have "fake" written all over them, in invisible ink to some out there..."some" meaning 2 billion unfortunate humans.

I can't wait for the Christian retort saying that these quotes are metaphorical or symbollic of God's love or something. It's priceless.

[lsbskins1]

I once read part of a book called "The Mind of The Bible Believer" that contended that the Bible is simply a tool of political control. If, as a leader, you want to stir people to war, you can find verses to do that. If you want to encourage the people to be passive, you can find verses to do that. The point being that any mind set, any emtional or intelectual point of view can be found with-in it's pages and all you have to do is know what response is appropriate to your aims as a leader and you can find a passage in "the holy book" to encourage it. Quite convienent, isn't it?

[Milton Bradley]

Was it not God that turned Satan loose on the masses to run the Earthly show as he desired?


Was it not God that mixed up all the languages, and caused all the strife between people in the first place?


Is it not God that places all of the blame for every wrong in the bible squarly at the feet of humans, even though it was God's creation, and God's lack of oversight that created all of the problems to begin with.


And again, who created evil?

[Son of Belial]

Quote by: SoccerfreakAB2 I can't wait for the Christian retort saying that these quotes are metaphorical or symbollic of God's love or something. It's priceless.

Nah, they usually say that the people being murdered were all "bad guys." If you point out that the Israelites did things just as bad as the "bad guys," they either say the Israelites were God's pet people(like that justifies it), or that they weren't nearly as bad(whatever), or, usually, simply fall back on "We can't question God."

Quote by: lsbskins1 If, as a leader, you want to stir people to war, you can find verses to do that. If you want to encourage the people to be passive, you can find verses to do that. The point being that any mind set, any emtional or intelectual point of view can be found with-in it's pages and all you have to do is know what response is appropriate to your aims as a leader and you can find a passage in "the holy book" to encourage it. Quite convienent, isn't it?

Well, the Bible is a collection of books, and they do not all agree. In fact, there are references within some books, where the author of that book pretty much calls the author of another book a liar. No, I don't remember where this was, but it was a Christian who showed it to me. Anyone, since different authors with different views wrote the various books, of course you will get different opinions. The J manuscripts show a different god than the P manuscripts; one shows a much more human god with a name, the other shows a more distant and mysterious god. One is more compassionate, one is more vengeful. The early books of the Bible are a sort of splice of J and P, and is why one verse might have God forgiving some major sin, and the next have him striking down someone for some minor offense.

The story of Jonah, for instance, is one of the most tolerant, and would do well as a fable for many, apart from the Judaic overtones. Essentially, Jonah orders people to repent because God will destroy them, they repent, and then Jonah cries about how he didn't think God should forgive them because they aren't real Jews. On the other hand, the book of Esther is one of the most hateful and vile books; Martin Luther said he regretted its inclusion in the Bible because of how it elevated Jews(Martin Luther hated the Jews).

[SteveA]

It looks like people already said it but I agree that few people really hate God but instead resent people using the name of God to justify immoral actions.

[lsbskins1]

Well, there is also the idea of the evolving God, but that does not negate the concept of the Bible as a political document. Look at it like this, the later books as amendments to the political "constitution". The early books were born of their own political purposes, the later of their own. I do not say this to claim it as an absolute truth, but rather as a position to consider. There are many "inconsistencies" in the Bible as we know it today. Think about this. The language of the "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" commandment presupposes the existence of multiple gods. It does not say "Fools, there are no other gods but me", it tells you not to "place" the "other gods" ahead of the god that should be most important and most feared. How does that jibe with the evolved concept we find later of the other gods being "false". I suppose I am mostly in your camp. I am aware of the multiple writers, as I am aware that it wasn't until fairly late in the game that certain of the books that were floating around out there as "holy" were picked as official, while others were rejected. It all goes to both of our points.

[Son of Belial]

Quote by: lsbskins1 Think about this. The language of the "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" commandment presupposes the existence of multiple gods. It does not say "Fools, there are no other gods but me", it tells you not to "place" the "other gods" ahead of the god that should be most important and most feared.

And he was also talking to one specific tribe. Other verses call him the god of Israel. I see a lot of people with these fun pictures on their wall that say "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Look up that scripture; before it, it's asking the people of Israel whether they wish to worship the new national god, or their old family gods. They're given a choice. This in itself implies other gods.

[SoccerfreakAB2]

Quote by: lsbskins1 I once read part of a book called "The Mind of The Bible Believer" that contended that the Bible is simply a tool of political control. If, as a leader, you want to stir people to war, you can find verses to do that. If you want to encourage the people to be passive, you can find verses to do that. The point being that any mind set, any emtional or intelectual point of view can be found with-in it's pages and all you have to do is know what response is appropriate to your aims as a leader and you can find a passage in "the holy book" to encourage it. Quite convienent, isn't it?

Which just goes to show how dumb this book really is. It's verses are so hypocritical that anyone with any cause for murder, suicide, polygamy, happiness, peace, love, war, etc. can read it and make it useful for such a cause.

[RickSp]

The question itself says lot. It suggests, to me at least, that your world view is so rigid as to be unable to imagine the perspective of a non-believer.

How could I possibly hate a being that I have no evidence even exists? I will admit to not being overly fond of those Christians who want to impose their views on others, either through proselytizing or by legislation. (This excludes the nice Jehovah Witness ladies like the ones who rang my doorbell this week, who are generally very sweet, polite and kinda cute dressed up in their Sunday best. I always take their literature and even read it from time to time.) Overall, I have no problem with theists of most flavors, but tend toward impatience of when confronted by fundamentalists or evangelicals of any religion.

It is not easy to be an atheist in a predominantly theistic country. You get called everything from communist to pervert. Theists expect to be shown deference but often aren't willing to show even a modicum of respect for those who do not share their beliefs. Doing a quick search on Volconvo provides examples. One poster asserts: " ATHEISTS: Life is Meaningless, Valueless, Purposeless. I challenge any atheist to refute me given my assumptions." Another suggests that atheists must have a mental defect of some sort. And so on and so on.

So no, I have no particular "hatred" for your God. I have no great fondness for your dogma and doctrine, but that is somewhat different question.

[SNPete]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready Because "many" of his earthbound representatives are unable to respect others beliefs, or tolerate any other belief. I do strongly dislike many of his earthbound representatives though, and they brought it all on themselves by not knowing where to draw the line between beleif and law, and between minding their business and minding OTHER peoples business.

You point is well taken. I always tell people to look to God, not people. People will disappoint, but God won't.

[SNPete]

Quote by: RickSp The question itself says lot. It suggests, to me at least, that your world view is so rigid as to be unable to imagine the perspective of a non-believer. .

Now, now. It is bad form to call someone rigid, when that same person is trying to broaden their understanding of other points of view.

[SoccerfreakAB2]

Quote by: SNPete Now, now. It is bad form to call someone rigid, when that same person is trying to broaden their understanding of other points of view.

Exactly what points of view are you broadening, and for laughs, what points of view are you knowingly dismissing?

[lsbskins1]

I suppose I should address the initial question as well. Mostly, ditto to RickSp. I consider myself an agnostic, but believe that people are essentially "spiritual beings" and need some form of religion. I do not "hate" God, nor do I "hate" people who believe in God. I respect those who can live according to a moral code that demands a level of charity and self-sacrifice. I respect those who understand that the important element of any religion or moral code is respect and compasion for others. I have no respect for those who demand that everyone view the world through their particular system of belief, leaving no room for the possibility that they could be wrong. I have no respect for people who lack compassion and and humility.

[SNPete]

Quote by: SoccerfreakAB2 Good post Belial, and I agree with born Osborn and you. I don't hate God. I hate the Christian God. I hate things that are hypocritical and have "fake" written all over them, in invisible ink to some out there..."some" meaning 2 billion unfortunate humans. I can't wait for the Christian retort saying that these quotes are metaphorical or symbollic of God's love or something. It's priceless.

I have a question. If it is only the Christian God you hate, then which God do you like?

The Christian God is the God that created all that there is, so what other God is there? There are other gods, but they are limited in scope and location.

[grandpa]

Why do some people hate God? Look at world history.
Also, I have a hint: When someone comes up to me in a public park when I'm resting and, without my provocation, tells me I'm going to suffer eternally if I don't believe in some invisible man in the sky--might that occasionally really annoy me? Might I even have thoughts of punching the guy in the face even though I'm generally peaceful?

Grandpa h.

[SNPete]

Quote by: SoccerfreakAB2 Exactly what points of view are you broadening, and for laughs, what points of view are you knowingly dismissing?

Knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Lets see what people say. I am sure I will disagree with some of the stuff said, but so what! I enjoy different points of view.

[Osborn F Enready]

SnPete said:
The Christian God is the God that created all that there is, so what other God is there? There are other gods, but they are limited in scope and location.

I say:
Come on, you must be joking. You do understand that only CHRISTIANS believe their God created everything? The only reason other religions are limited in scope and location are due to things like the CRUSADES, and missionaries spread out all over the globe.......

Come on Pete, you aren't that blinded by your own faith are ya?