, ...................Christianity relies on the idea that humanity is sinful and degraded, that God should not even love us but does anyways, and that human beings cannot stand on their own. There are supernatural forces out there we need defense from, not to mention sin that needs to be forgiven, and weak human beings cannot accomplish anything without God.
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Unfortunately, that is true of some things which are called "Christianity" -but not true of Christ or how he would have us see ourselves. It is a very twisted view of scripture -and quite the opposite of God's intent -which is that we eventually become strong enough to stand on our own as gods -the children of God -independently choosing to do that which is right so we need not be micromanaged. God does not coddle us -he shows us reality and tells us to stand on our own. He set before us life and death -and let us learn for ourselves -though he did not utterly give us over to ourselves. He will turn all back toward what is right -but we have to do the work.
He tells us we are gods and expects it of us.
Psa 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me
That is not a God that wants us to see ourselves as weak -but tells us that we had better be strong.
Are we to complain that he is over-protective -or that he is neglectful? Cruel? He does what is necessary to accomplish his purpose -and it will be of infinite benefit to us.
If a parent tells you not to stick your hand in dog doo -then your "friend" who is a bad influence tells you it's ok to stick your hand in dog doo -and you stick your hand in dog doo.....
you eventually learn to listen to your parent and not your "friend".
If your parent invited the "friend" over, it might make things different -depending on motive, etc. -but lessons learned with responsible oversight are better than children simply being left to themselves.
Perhaps the intent was good will toward both their child and the bad influence. The bad influence wasn't born that way (neither was the serpent, by the way -he chose to rebel).
Of course, the lessons we learn on earth are far more unpleasant than dog doo -but we have to learn to do right even in the presence of ones far more sinister than that "friend" (whether God exists or not -but especially...) if we are going to be strong enough to live forever without possibility of eternal chaos and ruin.
Parents are to be making good humans -so I am not saying that their decisions should be as harsh as God's decisions -just as vengeance is God's because it is his place, and that God can kill and be guiltless because he is able to resurrect, etc.... (and police can use electronic devices while driving even though we can not -because it is [should be] for the greater good -same principle).
There is enough evil in the world due to God's decision to allow others to make their own decisions, that parents should definitely shield their children from it -keep them from making major mistakes -allowing minor mistakes for the sake of experience, and teaching reasoning before acting, etc. They will have enough troubles when on their own -and parents should prepare them to make good decisions, but not shelter them so much that they can not stand on their own.
God is making gods -he is reproducing himself. The children of God need to be able to stand on their own forever. That requires more extreme measures -just as creating anything requires forces and pressures -some more than others. God gave instructions to the angels -then man -and allowed them to choose to obey or not. We would complain if we were forced, anyway. So, we now make our decisions and affect each other -and will eventually learn to do so in a positive way.
God definitely allowed and capitalizes on the interrelationship between man and the sinning angels toward that end.
It is true, however, that "religion" is a good hiding place for all sorts of evil thoughts and deeds -but that is true of anything which affects or holds sway over our basic decision-making processes -or which is affected by them.
Technically, your friend was affecting "Christianity" adversely -though it is possible that someone with false or harmful ideas who associated themselves with "Christianity" promoted his way of thinking -and in that way what is called "Christianity" can and does often become harmful.
That has nothing to do with God or Christ -except that they allowed even that.
Things associated with the name of Christ -things called "Christianity" -have been responsible for some of the greatest evils in the world -but men would have found other excuses if Christ's name had never been heard.