Another Look at the "Reason" Behind Christianity

What is God the Father really like?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

What is God the Father really like?

I watched a video of young attractive adults explaining Christianity by saying that children need boundaries and a loving father provides those boundaries for the benefit of the children. Of course, punishments are necessary for times the boundaries are passed. God loves us and had Jesus die on the cross to save us from our punishment for crossing the boundaries.

Hmmm.

Reminds me of a conversation with a patient. She had found a new church. She told me about it. I said, “It doesn’t make any sense.” She said, “Does it have to make sense?” I replied, “Maybe not. But if it can, why not let it?”

I watched my 18-month-old granddaughter the other day. She was digging in the sand. Then she walked over to the blackberries. I told her to stay back so she wouldn’t get pricked. I picked a blackberry for her. I really enjoyed watching her explore the world and try new things.

Could God the Father be watching you? Could he be enjoying you exploring your world? Is it possible for God the Father to be better than me?

There are at least two ways of establishing boundaries. One is to punish for violation of rules. The other is to explain why the rules are necessary. Which works better may depend on the individual. Some people are naturally rule followers. Others are constantly looking for a way out.

If punishment is necessary, how should it be delivered? I remember patients who brought their children to my office. They would yell and threaten the children. The children seemed to pay no attention. I doubt that the parents ever followed through with the threatened punishment.

So, in order to be effective, the punishment must be real. Children must know there are real consequences. To be most effective, the punishment should be close in time to the transgression.

Why do we punish children? We do it to improve future performance. We want the child to stay within the boundaries. If punishment worked, and if it had been done at home, the children in my office would have behaved.

Now look at the idea of an eternal hell after we die as punishment. Is it real? How do we know? Does it happen immediately after the transgression? Doesn’t seem to.

More importantly, if we are assigned to hell after we die, how does that improve future performance? What is the purpose? It would only seem to make sense if we were going to have another life. Perhaps we would do better on our next incarnation.

However, if we are to have multiple incarnations, why not just have the rewards and punishments now, during our lives. Improve performance today. That makes more sense to me.

How are you acting? You are reaping your rewards. Act with love and kindness.

Our laws should be designed to improve future performance. We should be minimizing harm balanced with allowing each individual maximum freedom. We should be discussing those laws. Those who pass laws based on their understanding of scripture are missing a key understanding.

God the Father leads us today. It is watching us today. Your understanding of scripture could be merely based on your programing - what you have been taught. Allow God the Father into your life today.

Quote from The Spirit of Reiki:

Before you were born
You lived within ME

After I bore you
I lived within you

WE ARE NEVER APART

Wherever I AM
You are, my love

Wherever you go
I GO, my love