God as a Parent (Jesus, ritual, evolution, America, theist)

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

I think the American view of God today is varied, but progressive in that God is being questioned and analyzed substantially. Earlier, I assume that the view was rather narrow (in the overall sense, not in the individual).

Where God was once the unquestioned lawgiver, God is now openly questioned and is seen as more of a flexible authority (I think).

In that case, then yes, I think I agree with it. Although overall, this is a very interesting way to look at it all

[dawny0826]

Christ to me is my Heavenly Father, as I believe He was God in the flesh.

There is no parent/child relationship to me that is more important than my relationship w/ Christ Jesus. God loved me so much (the whole world, actually), that He became man to not only show me through His life, what it is to be obedient and what it is to live a life full of love, grace and kindness but also how to Commune with God as our Heavenly Father.

He then gave His life, as the ultimate sacrifice, so that my sins could be erased by His blood. He also showed me that to die...to lay down the flesh is to live and to be reconciled to Him. And as promised, when I finally grasped that He did all He did out of love for His children...and I accepted His sacrifice as truth, I received His precious Spirit...the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, who never leaves me, just like He promised.

This in my opinion, is perfect brilliance...who better to teach us how to live than God Himself?

I can't attest to any other religious Parent/Child relationships but I noticed that you haven't gotten any input yet from a trinitarian (type) believer. Just wanted to share that for some of us...the Father/Child relationship is established with Christ Jesus.

[jonny]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

Do you think that view has changed over the years? In other words, do you think the Church's relationship with God has evolved?

I don't really think it's evolved. The doctrine of God being our Father has always been pretty fundamental to our religion. So fundamental that it offends many Christians when we focus on building up a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father as opposed to building a personal relationship with Christ. If anything, I would say the Church has deemphisized the doctrine of Heavenly Father over the past years as it has focused more on Christ.

[Ðanisty]

Originally Posted by Wandered Off

I don't think so. Satanism would more fit that description. An athiest would, in effect, say there never was a parent. I don't see how you can rebel against that which you do not believe exists.

Most Satanists don't believe God exists either. I'm not going to argue that there is a rebellious nature to Satanism, but I think that's really oversimplifying it. For example, keeping in mind that a Satanist would see this all symbolically and not literally, the Satanist is not simply rebelling against an authority figure...the Satanist sees the father as an abusive psychopath. God is not just the father who's trying to protect you and won't let you stay out until 2AM...God is the father who beats you and locks you in the closet. It becomes a matter of protecting yourself from God and doing what's in your own best interest.