The God of the Bible is Evil

I think I disagree with both you and PurpleDawn on this issue. I don't believe there is scrap of god in the OT stories.They are anthropomorphisms that are the result of our tendency to over-detect the presence of ourselves in the natural/supernatural world. Like mickey mouse and faces in the clouds.The Greek philosopher Xenophanes nailed this 500 BC

No scrap of god.The OT with its prescription of blood sacrifices, slavery, calls to arms with the offer of fresh virgins and booty, denigration and devaluation of women, etc. describe the mind of man and evolution of culture, not the mind of God in any such way.There are those who believe that since the topic is the divine, therefore the bible must have value in describing God even if so darkly and muddied by the imperfect understanding of humans. Not so, I believe.For example, I can attempt to understand alien life; I can draw images, assume a characterization and envision alien native environments, but just because i attempt to understand does not mean that I come anywhere close and in all probability would be far from the mark.In accessing the OT, I use Occam's razor. Does the OT describe somehow the nature of the being that created the universe, with all of its splendor and complexities; or is it more likely that the OT stories are just the recorded myths, superstitions and nationalistic tendencies of early civilized humans? Which by the way, are very similar and not out-of-the ordinary to the writings and beliefs of other regional cultures of the same time. I go with the latter.In light of this, how can I say that the OT is evil? And not just temporal, situational and regional?Since evil is not universally defined, the lot of us, could end up discussing in circles and maybe end up saying the same thing differently. Therefore to define evil, I lean towards Albert Schweitzer's (a very good example of a Christian) definition of evil: This is an absolute and reasonable ethical foundation. However it also unavoidably condemns the notion of blood sacrifice, slavery, and genocide as evil. Edited by iceage, : No reason given.Edited by iceage, : No reason given.

As if the translation is going to help here.Further when one understands that only men received the mark Quite normal bronze-age human mentality not divinity. Undoubtedly... ya. Please keep your prejudices to yourself! "Darwinism" has no context in this discussion.

I know it is a rhetorical ploy but to be honest I feel a little uncomfortable debating someone who thinks that God is their client.Further I feel a little uncomfortable debating "God of Bible" like this is some real entity. The topic is "The God of the Bible is Evil". However, I think what was meant was that "The vision of God, as described in the Bible, is Evil".In the selected quoted text we see a deity supposedly commanding someone to place a protective mark on some men. Others are supposedly commanded by this deity to kill people without question. Here are some questions to consider...

Why can't God mark these evil-doing people himself since he can read lives and know without question which are evil and deserving of death?

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Why does God need holy hit men? Why can't God himself take care of these evil-doers himself. We are talking about the being who created the wonders of this universe small and great. Why do passages like this (there are many others) limit God's ability so that he requires others to do his dirty work.

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Why are just the men considered for protection but the supposed order from God explicitly states the killing of all including little children, maids and women.

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Does this not go against "thou shall not murder" or is the full commandment more like this "thou shall not murder... unless some gray beard tells you that the lord said it is ok, in which case infants, children, and pregnant women should receive no mercy"

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One last thought. This holy ordained murder is precisely the mode of belief that sustains Muslim extremism today. Today's Jihadist really believe they are doing God's work. They really believe that God needs them to take infidel life. They worship the same twisted vision of God. This is evil.

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Edited by iceage, : Added quote

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Edited by iceage, : One last note

Why? we don't need darkness to know what light is? Did God create evil just so that there was tension and interest in the plot? I think you just did what you said is not a good move.Note the topic is really about the "God of the Bible" and not the entity who really created the universe. Now that is a true and wise statement.