Is God limited to a concept of love. Why

By commenting here I don't mean to say I've read all you've written on the topic of gods or religion, nor do I mean to say I think your tone towards "believers" is constructive (but I'll get to that).

I feel no personal need for a god made in man's image, which is what I see when I encounter most Christian/Islamic/Jewish sects. Faith is of little value to me, as is belief for belief's sake or the concept of hope (though I have come to understand the concept of hope to the extent that it has inspired me to purchase two lottery tickets a week).

Religions do have value though, and depending on the religion, those values may outweigh any nasty side-effects (homophobia or holy war for example). I don't count Zen as a religion because it seems to acknowledge the world makes total sense and at the same time makes no sense at all. Many of us need a belief system that is more or less coherent within itself, by excluding contradictions coming from outside the system (such as women's apparent equality of intelligence and judgment with men - something that doesn't fit with some of these belief systems). A belief system can also help people with unsettling thoughts they may have (like lusting after a pretty girl or lacking any hint of love in one's heart or honestly wanting to kill someone). For my case, such thoughts are just thoughts, and I am responsible of deciding which of them I will act on. For others, a belief system may be necessary, and I'm okay with that unless it begins to intrude on my personal liberties; so, I'm okay with belief systems and I'm not okay with belief systems, meaning we're back to that Zen principle of everything/nothing again.

Those are my thoughts. I have more, but I need to cook breakfast. I did not check this for spelling or grammar.

Ron - man is made in God's image, not the othe way around.

Hi Dale Coparanis, When you say "man is made in God's image, not the othe way around". I hope your refering to living energy/soul/lifeforce/spirit ect... because to my knowledge god has no physical form. If you think I'm wrong, prove it.
Fact: without energy the universe could not exist!

Hello Richard: You certainly keep us thinking about provocative subjects. For me, God is not limited to the concept of love. Love can be found in the arms of the one you love. This love is more satisfying and complete because it involves both mind and body. The love of God or God is love reallly needs to be understood by his worshippers. The purpose of the belief in God is to learn to follow God's new command, which, in essense, it is the Word of God - love one another. God would rather have his creations love one another before they honor or love him.

Many people do not know how man first conceived God. This knowledge may be found in a book recently released and is available on amazon.com. For a quick read, enter a search on the Internet with the words: Future of God Amen If you wish to learn more about the book, you can visit two websites: www.futureofgodamen.com and, xlibris.com/ginex

The book was written to inform the public world-wide that it was the Egyptian civilization that first developed the concepts of a soul, a hereafter based upon living a moral and truthful life, a universal God, and a Son of God. It will help people to sort out their own thoughts in learning the beginning of the creation of God.

Nick Ginex - Knowledge is a wonderful gift.

Hi Ron Hall, Thank you for your insightful comments, they are appreciated. Good luck with the lottery tickets-:). Where a religious concept is concerned I tend to disagree although that's only my opinion. I've always prefered open ended spiritualism based on ones personal experiences to a doctrin of religious beliefs set in stone.

HI Nicholas, To love one another is asking far more than is even realistic Nicholas. Most people have a hard enough time understanding the concept of love today (subjective interpretations) let alone apply this concept without boundaries.
No offence to anyone intended.
To honor, appreciate and respect one another is at least an attainable goal.
As to the so called word of god, all we have is a man made creation here.

Hello, Richard. Since we each are experts on our own lives, some tend to think they are experts on the lives of others. We live together on one planet, yet we are complex enough to have love and someform of hate in our minds. I suppose if we look at the animal kingdom as a whole, of which we are one, we come equipped with those emotions in order to survive just long enough to make sure our DNA continues safely and securely.
We live in a physical world, yet Man had some sort of need to be grateful since early times. When the Sun rose and warmed the Earth, made the crops grow, turned the leaves green, he connected the Sun with this and so worshipped it when it was visible. In a sense, Man realised he was quite small and vulnerable in all this, could experience real danger with other animals around, looking to make sure their own territory was safe enough for them.
The concept of a 'god' is, i suppose, a manifestation of that need for reassurance. It is, however, an abstract idea, not provable in a logical sense but argued about often because, naturally, everone's experience of what they term is 'god' is going to be different.
The religious industry, composed of the self-appointed heirarchy, is there in order to perpetuate the stories which others in the past believed, were expected to believe, were forced to believe for fear of their lives. Nowadays, we are more able, in most communities, to question the beliefs of today and to research the beliefs of the past. Some people use their faith as a key to their lifestyle, which can be, in a sense, elitist; other branches of their own faith, or, indeed, other religions, have, in thier eyes, simply got it wrong. They choose not to see that Man created his 'god' in his own image.

The Romans, in history, had many gods for different parts of life. When it was decided that one was enough, I often wonder, in an ironic sense, where the redundant gods went?

The film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNf-P_5u_Hw
explains in simple, easy to digest, researched, historically proven terms the process of the belief of Man in a 'god'. It is worthy of watching and noting.

Peace.

Hi jerome, You hit the nail on the head. "They choose not to see that Man created his 'god' in his own image". The irony is man reduced the god concept to a single creator and then revisited the concept of redundant gods and elevated JC superstar to fill that position with some minor alterations on perspective-:). The fallout from this disaster as I see it has created generations with a mindset of unrealistic expectations, which is so prevalent today in every area of our lives.
I'll check out the film on youtube, thanks.

Richard - perhaps you should read the John's first epistle to learn a bit more about how God is love. I think you would find it most interesting.

Hi Dale Coparanis, We all have our different beliefs Dale, Just because something was written a few thousand years ago does not validate it, however it also does not invalidate either. When I question scripture I still see only the hand of one mortal man,s interpretation in an era of terror and carnage. At the same time ancient scrolls were again interpretated by a warring religious organization bent upon domniance which I totally distrust. No offence intended. Granted I do believe in a creator although our interpretations of this energy are quite different.
In my view Rome condoned a murder and then proceeded to profit from it for centuries. You should be familar with this expression; "the victor writes the history". Thank you for commenting.

Interesting - you ask if God is love, I give you a book from scripture which directly answers your query and you totally disregard it. In fact you dismiss it out of hand - not worthy of your consideration. Seems to me you ask the question but do not want to know the answer.

God is love and He loves you. He's been knocking at the door to your heart over the years and He's patiently waiting for you to let Him in. I know the feeling. I put Him off for 40 years. Since July 22, 2002, I have known a love and a peace that goes beyond explanation with FREEDOM and not dominance.

What I got on that wonderful night is available to everyone for Jesus is joyful when he finds lost sheep (see Luke 15:1-7). In reality, He's already found you (for He knew you before you were born) - it's up to you to accept Him. Believe me (and millions upon millions of others), it'll be the most wonderful event of your life.

Hi Dale, I have read the old testament, new testament, the bible, the koran the talmud and many other religious based books so please don't presume on what I may have or not have read. What you choose to believe is your choice and I'll respect that despite my own disagreement with religious based philosophies. With respect to the concept of love, the creator in my opinion is a great deal more than any simpistic concept of love. How can anyone limit the creator within such a miniscule concept? As for JC, to me he was just a man who introduced a valid concept. No disrespect intended.

Richard, Im not going to quote scriptures at you. Thats not my thing. I am a Christian and the belief I have is what I truely believe but not because organized religion says to. Its what my heart led me to believe. I have to say I think it is that way for each individual. We all use our hearts in our beliefs and use our heads to rationalize them. To some, the rational may not make sense but to the individual themselves it is perfectly logical. As an example, I use your belief system. It doesnt make alot of sense to me, but to you it is rational for you to believe that way. Perhaps it is our up bringing that makes it easier for us to form our beliefs. Alot of people claim how you are raised with reflect your beliefs. Then again who knows. Personally I just felt that I was being spoken to (not verbally but I guess the best way to describe it would be intellectually and emotionally) by the word of God and thus hold that belief that what the bible says is true.

To each their own though.

Thank you for not quoting scripture and sharing your belief system. Although I may not share in your understanding, I do respect your right to follow your heart. Georgina S also a gather member has recently posted five articles in consecutive order on who wrote the bible, which you may find interesting.

May have to look into those. I have looked into the history of the "organized" bible somewhat and while I believe what it says, I also believe that Organized religion through the ages has rewritten the bible to exclude passages they didnt agree with or felt werent canon. Those that think the KJV is the original bible need to realize that it is just a version of earlier bibles to make the case a short one.

Although I find some wisdom in every book I've read there is far to much assumption and fiction contained in the bible as written to make it believable for me. As to any original bible you should read the five articles I suggested earlier.