JEALOUSY: A good attribute in a god?

[2Dbunk]

Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

The above is strong stuff. In a land that cherishes the choices Capitalism has provided us with, and Freedom beyond "free will," we Americans welcome competition. But the Abrahamic God would proscribe that right and, in the face of our Constitution, punish offender's children thru the 3rd and 4th generation. IMO that's a bit harsh for children to suffer for something they had no say or control about. IMO this, alone, points to human authorship of the Bible, as flawed as this command is.

1) Is it necessary for God to be jealous in light of the fact he has given us free will and has access to everything there is anyway?

2) Is it necessary for God to be jealous at all?

[Danmark]

God could not possibly be jealous if he has nothing to be jealous about... unless he is neurotic. Since there are no other gods, he can't be jealous of THEM. Who or what could she be jealous of? One of her creatures? How could a god be jealous of his own creation... unless she is neurotic?

These all too human attributes that are ascribed to God in the Hebrew Bible reflect the increasingly obvious, the unavoidable conclusion, that 'God' is a character imagined by man, drawn in his own image.

This does not mean of course, that a God does not exist. But it strongly suggests the God of the Hebrew Bible reflects humans trying to guess or describe a god; that the god they describe bears little resemblance to the god in fact that may exist.

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 2 by Peds nurse]

It IS a fine day (I'm just getting over neck muscle spasms so this past week wasn't too glorious as I was in bed taking muscle relaxants -- just found out that I may have a magnesium deficiency). You are SO cheerful -- if ever I need a nurse in the hospital, I hope he or she is as pleasant.

I am happy that your neck spasms are better! That certainly isn't any fun at all! Thank you for the compliment. I am not a nurse in the hospital anymore. I hung up my shoes to do foster care (of which I love).

After reading your post I'm wondering what your Faith is (protestant, catholic, etc.)?

I suppose, I am closer to protestant, but I really don't like such labels. Sometimes, we can get so focused on doctrine, that we leave God out of the picture. I for sure, am a lover of God...and his people!

I like to think I can be as cheerful as you (if I don't get into discussions on religion). I've read the Bible and come away with quite a different take on its content than you. It does sound to me that your God is rather immature in proclaiming his jealousy. But that isn't the only issue I have with "Him." I don't have the time or space to list them all, but as sure as he DIDN'T make little green apples I just don't think such a meany could be God!

Thank you again, for the compliment. We are all entitled to our opinions, thoughts, and convictions. I see God as just, righteous, and full of mercy and grace.

I was raised in a home with a mom (Dutch Reformed and Democrat) and a dad (Progressive Mennonite and Republican). Thus my indoctrination into a certain Faith never took. I was obsessive compulsive into my twenties . . . the last compulsion was me determining if there was a God. Once I certified to myself that God most probably did not exist, my compulsions melted away. It was like being born again but not in the sense the fundamentalists seek.

Well my friend, I don't think that faith is something that we are born in to. It is something found, something that we take a hold of. It is very personal. I had no religion when I was young...just abuse.

I'm in my second marriage and I love her dearly. Believe me, she is a wonderful nurse, as she was to her previous husband who died from juvenile diabetes (he was blind most of their marriage). We both share the same apostasy -- we don't hate God . . . we just don't think he exists. She was brought up strict Catholic but lost her faith working as a secretary in a seminary.

Congratulations on your second marriage! I find it so wonderful when people openly admit their love and admiration for their spouse. It is beautiful. I understand the seminary aspect. My husband (who died), was in the seminary. Funny thing though, I didn't even know who God was at that time.

You and I are looking at different sides of a coin. From what I see on this forum, many are doing the same. You see God in everything and I see Nature in everything. For whatever reason God doesn't talk to me like he speaks to you. Why the difference?

I see God in nature. I suppose, the difference is what we are tuned in to. I am tuned into God's spirit. When I see a flower, I think of it's beautiful color, and the splendor of its beauty. This takes me to a verse where it tells us to not worry. If God clothes the flowers in such beauty, will he not meet our needs as well? So, I say a thank you to God, for his provisions in my life. He speaks to me through everyday things, situations, and people. Once I remember walking, and I asked God to give me a glimpse of how much he loves his people. I was so overwhelmed with love, but for a brief second, that I couldn't even breathe. It brought me to my knees.

My daughter is a nature person...not really a God person. I told her that we can find God in nature, and we take him with us when we leave. If it is just nature, we leave it there, to visit again.

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 11 by Danmark]

God could not possibly be jealous if he has nothing to be jealous about... unless he is neurotic. Since there are no other gods, he can't be jealous of THEM. Who or what could she be jealous of? One of her creatures? How could a god be jealous of his own creation... unless she is neurotic?

These all too human attributes that are ascribed to God in the Hebrew Bible reflect the increasingly obvious, the unavoidable conclusion, that 'God' is a character imagined by man, drawn in his own image.

This does not mean of course, that a God does not exist. But it strongly suggests the God of the Hebrew Bible reflects humans trying to guess or describe a god; that the god they describe bears little resemblance to the god in fact that may exist.

That last sentence.. not so great.

I agree that Christians have to guess about their god.. and that a god MIGHT exist, but we have no idea that their description DOES or does NOR bear any resemblance to a god that might in fact exist.

We know, however, that an anthropomorphic god isn't special, gods are mostly ALL idealized projections of quite HUMAN characteristics.

In this way, God seems just like Superman.. a good honking yarn for telling around campfires. It must have got REALLY boring in the desert. So, good honking stories about superheroes would have been pretty darn popular.

And the priests have been cashing in ever since.

[OnceConvinced]

If we are his bride, his beloved people, would he not want us to be faithful to him?
Imagine if you were married, but had affairs with multiple people, should your spouse not be jealous?

It's not just one bride he's got though. We're talking millions of brides even SAME-SEX brides!

So if a man has millions of wives has he any right to be jealous if a few are unfaithful?

He is jealous for us, because he loves us so intensely.

It would make him a hypocrite as he is the one who set the standards for love:

Love is not jealous - 1 Corinthians 13:4

He is not willing to share us with other images of Gods.

Really, it makes no sense that a perfect being would ever have such petty human emotions such as jealousy. I mean what does it really matter to this god if a few of us worship other gods? Is it really so wounding to his ego?

Let's face it, jealousy is about ego. It's about "oooh don't you dare share your love with any one else". I just don't see why a god who is so all together and all powerful would ever be upset about someone sharing their love with others. It really does make him seem very human and very vunerable.

He created us, and wants to have a faithful relationship with him, so that he can shower his love upon us, and direct us in the way we should go.

But why would this god who is so all together, complete and perfect ever be concerned with this sort of thing?

He doesn't need our faith or our love. He has plenty of other wives he can share is love with. Why get all wrathful and angry about those who don't?

If we as humans acted like that, we'd soon find ourselves with nobody to love. Imagine if we said to all our friends and family "You must only love me and nobody else. You must only spend your time with me, not anyone else."

This is the kind of behavior you are defending when it comes to God.

[2Dbunk]

[Replying to post 8 by 1213]

2Dbunk wrote:

2) Is it necessary for God to be jealous at all?


I think jealousy is one sign of love. If one truly loves, he can become jealous, if he is losing the love one. So I think jealousy is part of loving God, unless he doesnt really care (love).

I don't think you are really convinced with your statement above, otherwise you would have voted "yes" in the poll. You have some doubts and maybe that's good.

Why didn't you vote? Why are most people voting "No?" Doesn't that tell you something?

I know what jealousy is. I've experienced it as a teenager. But I grew out of it -- it is a nasty de-construct. Jealousy can drive people to do insane things. Read the papers for daily examples of murder committed in its name.
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Islam is ALL that a religion can be!

[OnceConvinced]

2) Is it necessary for God to be jealous at all?

I think jealousy is one sign of love. If one truly loves, he can become jealous, if he is losing the love one. So I think jealousy is part of loving God, unless he doesnt really care (love).

But the bible tells us that if we are jealous, then that's not love. So the bible goes against what you are saying here.

Love is not jealous - 1 Corinthians 13:4

[Tired of the Nonsense]

2) Is it necessary for God to be jealous at all?

I think jealousy is one sign of love. If one truly loves, he can become jealous, if he is losing the love one. So I think jealousy is part of loving God, unless he doesnt really care (love).

If there is no God but God and yet God is jealous that is not not love. That's obsession. It's an unhealthy fixation and a sure sign of neurosis.

[1213]

I don't think you are really convinced with your statement above, otherwise you would have voted "yes" in the poll. You have some doubts and maybe that's good.

Why didn't you vote? Why are most people voting "No?" Doesn't that tell you something?

Sorry, I forgot.

[1213]

But the bible tells us that if we are jealous, then that's not love. So the bible goes against what you are saying here.

Love is not jealous - 1 Corinthians 13:4

Envy and jealousy are not same in Bible context.

[1213]

If there is no God but God and yet God is jealous that is not not love. That's obsession. It's an unhealthy fixation and a sure sign of neurosis.

You seem to have different definition than Bible has.

Obsession is said to be Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

I dont think that fits to God.

Jealousy is said to be for example anxiety over an anticipated loss or status of something of great personal value.

But those are modern meanings. If one wants to understand what the Bible is telling, it is wise to read more than single words. When Bible tells God is jealous, it seems to mean that he cares us and dont want to lose us to perdition.