I posted this on one of "aleman's" threads and I've posted a similar scenario in the past. I re-read it an decided I really like it and wanted to share it with all of you:
Please think about this scenario and tell me what you think:
You are a human parent.You and your wife planned carefully to conceive your children. Once they arrived you provided for them in every way and in abundance.
You happen to be increadibly wealthy and able to provide for your children and many others indefinitely.
As your children reach adulthood you remind them of the fact that you gave them life and of all the wonderful things you've done for them.
You tell them that you will provide them and their future families with a home and every material necesity.
You ask only one thing in return: they have to worship you.
They must consult you with each and every desicion that they make and abide by your response. They must visit you in your home at least three times a week. And, they must use every opportunity to tell others about how wonderful you are and invite them to worship you as well. Those who listen to them will be provided for in the same way as your children.
If your children refuse to worship you in the way you prescibed you will disinherit them.
They have the opportunity to repent and receive their inheritance by sitting outside of your home while their siblings visit three times a week. In time, you might invite them in. In the meantime, your wife and other children are to have nothing to do with the "rebelious" one (or they could end up in the "same boat").
If they do not show repentance, not only will they not receive thier inheritance but at a time you have designated you will have a hit man put them to death.
It does not matter that these children grew up to be kind people and useful members of society, the penalty for not worshiping you is disinheritance and death.
So, my questions to you are:
If such a parent existed, how would society view him? As a loving father or as a narcissistic sadist?
What would happen to such a parent ? Would he receive praise or would he end up in prison or an insane asylum?
God is supposed to be our loving heavenly father, yet he behaves in much the same way as the father in my stroy. Why would I believe such a god exists? And even if the Bible is right and he does exist, why would I want to worship him?
I for one take this stand: I do not believe in the narcissistic, sadist god of the Bible, but, if by some chance I am mistaken, and he does exist, I will NOT worship such a horrible creature.
I AM a loving parent and I would never treat my children in this barbaric way. I have no respect for anyone that would, be it a human, a spirit or the figment of someone's twisted imagination.
And that's all I have to say about that.
changeling
...OUTLAW