Then again, if he didn’t believe in God, this probably wouldn’t torment him as much either… Incidentally, this is why Richard Dawkins equates religion teaching to child abuse. Thinking at a young age that you’re going to hell because of something you can’t control is akin to mental abuse.

I assume you mean the biblical God? In that case I definitely agree.

As for the teacher, it’s not her place to tell the student whether Santa exists or not. That’s a conversation the child should have with his/her parents.

I’m sorry you see Him that way. I hope you can see God the way we who love Him do one day. Like anything, in order to really know God, we should study from all different hypothesis. Studying the bible in order to prove a hypothesis is ineffective in finding the truths contained within.

It’s nothing to be sorry about, I just read the bible for what it is to me, a very vindictive and cruel main character who tortures and kills people. That will never be love but sick and cruel just like drowing and plagues are cruel to do to anyone. False promises are not something I concern myself with. I believe I found the truth to the bible. God is a myth.

We disagree and if the bible were correct I’d say drowning the whole earth for not worshipping the way he wants his hardly forgiving and grace.

I’m glad He promised to never do that again. Yet knowing what He is capable of I’d say that (for me) His grace is proven by the fact that I am writing to you right now. (and not being drown or some other thing) Ever think that God (if He exists) may have done that as a favor for future generations, to show us how much it means to Him that we are good to each other and Him?

I was inferring that Santa isn’t real but when someone believes a force will give them a gift they do things to please him. It’s a metaphor.

hey great point. Sorry I didn’t catch it before. I thought you were like me: really glad Santa doesn’t come because we would miss out on all those great cookies!

forgiveness is great and can be done without god being involved.

I agree…but I think I would rather say it can be done without giving God any credit or glory. (I believe all good things come from God whether we acknowledge Him or not) I agree that everybody is capable of forgiveness.

I don’t see the god of the bible as full of grace. He himself set up a system where a majority of people on his earth will fail and go to hell.

I’m sorry you see Him that way. I hope you can see God the way we who love Him do one day. Like anything, in order to really know God, we should study from all different hypothesis. Studying the bible in order to prove a hypothesis is ineffective in finding the truths contained within.

My point is asking that question is that teaching forgiveness is great and can be done without god being involved. It is important for people to learn to forgive others, going through life with grudges is a sad way to live.

I don’t see the god of the bible as full of grace. He himself set up a system where a majority of people on his earth will fail and go to hell. He also changed his grand plan on several occasions in the bible, further confusing his followers. If anyone needs forgiveness it is him.

God is irresistably full of grace

We disagree and if the bible were correct I’d say drowning the whole earth for not worshipping the way he wants his hardly forgiving and grace. We’ll have to disagree that teaching someone the mere idea of eternal damnation is anything but psychologically dysfunctional. I don’t think Christ came and if you believe he did something important that’s fine. I”m not in needing of saving but you choose to believe you are if you want.

I was inferring that Santa isn’t real but when someone believes a force will give them a gift they do things to please him. It’s a metaphor.

How about =I agree that “childhood influences” aren’t the reason but then who among us can claim we know what is the reason?

Answer: Self-realization

Great clarification and answer tx.

“What about teaching about forgiveness? Is that mental abuse? ”

Of course that isn’t mental abuse. What does it have to do with god

well for starters God is irresistably full of grace. He loves even the most vile of all of humans. Teaching that we are deserving of hell without teaching about forgiveness is child abuse. Forgiveness fills in a little more of the picture of who God is. Christ did not come to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.

My wife has convinced him to leave a gigantic cookie for Santa and I can guarantee Santa loves cookies.

I think that the best thing Santa leaves every year is that plate of cookies. Smile

Of course that isn’t mental abuse. What does it have to do with god?