Do you fear God? (followers, Christians, Christ, Allah, witchcraft)

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Draka

No. I have no need to fear.

At least not after the 1st Amendment. Before that it was open season on witches.

[Draka]

Originally Posted by Francine

At least not after the 1st Amendment. Before that it was open season on witches.

Last I knew, government wasn't god anyway. Though our exalted commander in chief likes to think he speaks for god .

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

Please remember this is not a debate. Do you fear God? Why?

To me, when the Bible tells us to fear God, it means that we should recognize His power and give Him the respect that He commands. I think that if we do this, we need not be "afraid" of Him. Since I do try to show Him the honor and respect that He as my creator deserves, I think I can say that I fear him but am not afraid of Him.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

To me, when the Bible tells us to fear God, it means that we should recognize His power and give Him the respect that He commands.

God doesn't need to command respect, that should flow automatically from his status as the Creator of reality. Respect has more to do with "face" and your position in a hierarchy. God commands love.

[Azakel]

Originally Posted by Francine

So you do not suffer from theophobia.

No I do not.

Originally Posted by Francine

At least not after the 1st Amendment. Before that it was open season on witches.

There where no Witches.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Francine

God doesn't need to command respect, that should flow automatically from his status as the Creator of reality. Respect has more to do with "face" and your position in a hierarchy. God commands love.

I don't understand what you're saying, Francine.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Francine

God doesn't need to command respect, that should flow automatically from his status as the Creator of reality. Respect has more to do with "face" and your position in a hierarchy. God commands love.

Respect and love are not incompatible.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I don't understand what you're saying, Francine.

The First Commandment says:

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength."

Jesus told us what that means. We are to think of the Creator as our Heavenly Father, and refer to him with lovingly familiar names, such as "Abba" (or in English, "Poppa"). This is far different from the kind of deferential respect a seaman recruit must show to an Admiral.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Francine

The First Commandment says:

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength."

Jesus told us what that means. We are to think of the Creator as our Heavenly Father, and refer to him with lovingly familiar names, such as "Abba" (or in English, "Poppa"). This is far different from the kind of deferential respect a seaman recruit must show to an Admiral.

I see what you're saying. I love God as my Heavenly Father. I respect Him as my God. I guess it's kind of like my relationship with my earthly father. The source of my love for him came from my heart. The source of respect for him came from my mind.

[Mike182]

hard to say. i look for the balance in my relationship with the Gods, i respect and love them, but i also need an element of fear - fear is a bigger motivator. fear of the consequences of making oaths and promises that i can't keep is important, it makes me focus on what i can achieve and ignore for now what i can't. at the same time, the Gods are not petty, they are understanding and merciful.

so yes, i fear that there may be negative consequences to my actions, and that if i disrespect the Gods i am not doing myself any favors... but they appreciate that we are human and we make mistakes. while i have an element of fear, i have faith in them to be loving and merciful.