What does a "good" God look like? Do I get to define goodness for God? Thinking I get to, or can, is one of the fundamental problems with religion. Perhaps God is "good" in precisely the way Islamic jihadists define him. Perhaps he/she/it is good in some way entirely outside my human frame of reference.
I keep coming back to what God expects from us. Assuming the Bible is a fair gauge of that. Godliness.
I makes no sense to me that God would operate under a lower standard than he expects of us.
For example, the "love your enemies" revelation that Jesus gives is in Matthew 5 referred to as Godly behavior.
"Be perfect. as your Father is perfect." (from memory) Therefore, what should God do with HIS enemies?
Unless he operates under a lower standard than he holds us to.
You may balk at that statement, but what does our god-given human conscience tell us?
It appears to me you're looking for people to confirm your personal notion that "No, the God of Christianity as I conceive Him to be would not punish me for asking hard questions." The fact you feel the need to start all these threads suggests to me you lack confidence in your own beliefs and they aren't bringing you the peace of mind that deep religious convictions should bring.
No, I don't look to others to confirm my beliefs.
I look to challenge theirs.
I don't think I lack confidence in my own beliefs. (test me)
The forum is helpful to formulate what I believe. Writing helps me to solidify my thoughts.
Whether it looks that way or not.
]