Why does everyone assume that God has to be benevolent?
823104
Read your whole Bible.  In the Old Testament, God was a punishing God, who created the flood, turned Lot's wife to a pillar of salt, and allowed the trials of Job.  Then, in the New Testament, he is loving, forgiving and charitable.  God is all of this things and much, much more.  He is forgiving to those who seek forgiveness on his terms. He is punishing and vengeful to those who, after attain knowledge of Him, continue to disobey.\n\nThe Bible in its entirety is the only explanation of the ways of God.  Not just parts, but the whole.
1156824
ok, here's what the deal really is. if you put your faith and trust in God who loves you unconditionally, you will receive eternal life. sounds fair to me! people who think God is unfair and evil don't really know God. God doesn't owe us anything, yet is willing to give us everything, just for loving and trusting Him. God is more fair and just and loving than anyone could ever imagine.\n\n"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son so that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
1079661
"Post-Modernism" says that nobody can know everything; therefore, nobody can be absolutely sure about anything; therefore, nobody can be called 'wrong.'\n\nReality says that some things are, and somethings are not, no matter how much you wish they were otherwise.\n\nTake the often-tossed-about question "Does God exist?"  It is ridiculous to say that God may exist for you if you think so, and He doesn't exist for me because I do not think so, but I have heard people make essentially that claim.  I had somebody e-mail me, stating that she didn't believe in God because she didn't like the thought of somebody looking over her; just because she didn't like it doesn't influence reality.\n\nIt was said long ago, "Most people would rather die than think, and in fact they usually do so."
221034
I agree with you. It's sad that people think that they need religion to be a good person.  Why can't people be nice without wanting something in return.  That's really what religious people seem to want.  It seems like most think that they need to earn their place in heaven.  I honestly think that religion is the root of all evil and it is what turns most people against each other.  It only seems to seperate people into groups.  Everyone thinks that their religion is right and that people from their religion are better than others.  My question is...Who is right?  What makes one person think that they are right over another when they have no proven fact to base their opinions on in the first place?\n   So, I have to agree...different religions only cause seperation and problems!
375469
It's not a question of hard or easy.  Belief isn't a choice.  Thoughtful people's beliefs follow from their brain-based reasoning.  There are a small number of people who claim to reason their way to belief in God, but on inspection it's not very many, and it belies the concept of "faith," which wouldn't be necessary if belief in God followed from reason.
34025
Good question, I think people is desperate to believe in something. The idea of not existance of a god must be to overwhelmingly for they.
1107930
If God wanted to leave absolutely no room for anyone to doubt or try to disprove His existance and authority, He could have done. His thoughts and ways are better than ours - we'd love everyone to just have to believe - but God gives everyone the choice. People don't want it to be true that there is a God - the implications are too big. Like recognising that yes there is actually right and wrong - people don't want to go there - remember Pharohs magicians who tried to explain away the wonders that were shown them in Egypt - they didn't want to acknowlege God either - its nothing fresh!  The reality of our Eternal God who controls everything in life and death is just more than folks can take - they want to "live a good life and be happy" They don't want to know about a God who will hold us responsible what we do with our lives, it just doesn't fit with their "lifestyle choice". They will either try to logically reason a way that it could possibly have happened without needing a God or they will just instantly dismiss these realities without further thought as just "fairy tales". Don't fret. Yes some people will try to explain things in a way that ignores God, they refuse to believe - creation itself cries out! Its of no suprise in one sense ... there is going to be both the sheep and the goats. Stand firm. One day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He Is LORD.
1178888
Really good question and no really good answers here. Why does god need to be worshipped, what does he care? \nSorry no answer but good question!
1029264
Exactly!  Shouldn't they  love and accept everyone even if they don't believe in God.  Another example of pure hypocrisy to me.  But I'll take sociopath, that's a good description!
315468
Good questions!  I like good subjest matter.  God is not some bug eyed monster up in the sky.  Why would he be all hateful when he needs us as much as we need him?  We do have free will, and i can do whatever i want because of it, but heres the rub, i was created by something with a view of the bigger picture.  So by virture of where i was born and my personality there are huge sections of human reality that will never even occur to me to do because of who and what i was made to be. Example : kiss my boyfriend, you betcha!; eat chocolate covered ants, hell no!
723867
If we could be good on our own power, we would be God.\n\nGod didn't make us just so that we would be weak. That is, this was not his aim. But what he created was people, not God. Why didn't he create God? Because there is only one God who exists outside of space and time--who always was, is, and will be--who IS, not who was created. Therefore, God cannot create God. What he made was a creature in his image, but who could not be him.\n\nGod takes no pleasure in our weakness. He has compassion for us because we are weak. This is why he sent our Son--that through Him, we might become perfect, not on our own power, but by the power of God.\n\nIn addition, God created within us the need for Himself. So that upon our constant failures, we would begin searching for the One who never fails.
309700
God has always been and always will be.  The thought is hard for our human minds to understand.  No one created Him for He is the Creator.
401224
It is the responsibility of everyone who is a believer to pray for those who govern over us. Th bible states that there is no authority in existence that is not placed there by God. There are multiple insights in how God works through government in the first and second book of Kings. It is important to have our trust in God since the outcome of our prayers "let it be thy will" will result in just that. The right decisions are not always aligned with our expectations and this is where we must increase in faith, by knowing that God is in Control and utilizes even evil acts by humans towards the good of those who trust in him.
595996
Here's another noodle-baker.  If God is all powerful and all-benevolent, why is there evil in the world at all?  Either he is not all powerful (if he were he would have no evil) or else is not all-benevolent. (He could wipe out evil but chooses to allow evil things to happen anyways, something a loving and good God would not allow.)\nTake your pick, either way God is not all-perfect.
625591
Everyone needs God. But God gave us a choice on who to serve. Him or Satan. People say God gives us free will, but not so. The inly will God gives us is His holy word. The Bible. That is the will for us. the devil doesn't have a will. Therefore whoever follows him will be doomed for eternal damnation. That's why it is important to hold to God and serve him. He is the only one who sticks closer than a friend, brother, mother, father, cousin, aunt, teacher or anybody else. He's there in the good times and the bad times. He'll never leave you or forsake you. God can\ndo more than what other man made gods can't do.
1134524
It just makes it easier for them to ignore God and excuse away their choice not to follow Him.   It is difficult to grasp the concept of the enormity of God and many people simply cannot wrap their brains around it.
270827
People find it hard to believe in God because it takes faith. Additionally if they acknowledged Him they would have to come to terms with their own rebellion. If you deny God's existence then you can live anyway you want to and you can be your own God or design your own God.\n\nPeople believe good deeds get them to heaven because they think they can earn their way there. It is a pride issue, a control issue. It is idolatry. I can get my way. I can control my destiny. In essence it is saying I don't need you God to get to heaven. I can get there on my own efforts thank you. This appeals to the human heart. It is abhorrent pride.\n\nAdditionally it is ignorance. People don't realize just how depraved their hearts are. People think they are basically good and that by their effort they can make up for any shortcomings. They have no idea how really wicked they are. The bible says "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"(Jeremiah 17:9 NLT) Because people don't see the wickedness in their heart or the desperate state they are in they think they can work it off but they can't it is impossible. The stench of sin is too great for God to overlook. Apart from Christ's atonement and sacrifice nobody will get there. There is nothing a human can do to make up for their sins. \n\nIt is very hard to understand a loving God sending people to Hell. God created man for His pleasure and for His glory. Man rebelled against God. The penalty for sin is death. God loved and loves man and sent His Son to redeem man. Some have responded to God's grace and others have not. How can a just God ignore rebellion? In His wisdom He provided a way of escape. If people reject His provision what is a just God to do? He cannot violate His righteousness. He provides righteousness thru His Son to anyone who believes in Him. If a person rejects that gift of righteousness by rejecting His Son God has no choice but to send them to Hell. Evil cannot reside in the presence of God.\n\nIf you knew your son had committed murder would you not call the police? You love him but you know justice has to be done. How is that any different for God? He loves us but justice has to be done for the rebellion against Him. Not wanting people to go to Hell He sent His Son to pay the penalty for sins. If people don't seek forgiveness thru Christ God has to execute His justice on them.\n\nIt does not please God to send people to Hell. The bible says, "For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow." (Lamentations 3:33 NLT)\n\nA better question is why God would provide righteousness to any sinner? Who can comprehend God's grace? Who can explain it?