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Here is another take on the Adam and Eve story. In paradise, all creatures were in the presence of God enjoying his glory, beauty and holiness. Satan came into the garden from the Abyss (universe) and caused havoc. Subsequently, God and his angels returned to heaven. That was during the dinosaur era about 65 millions years ago. Humans, who evolved from the fall of paradise, have basic instincts for loving God. Without being in the presence of God, creatures turn to their own resources to survive. Humans seek, struggle, and are frustrated because they cannot fulfill their original purpose.
Better to burn in the hell of an angry vengeful monster that live as a golem who's sole purpose at creation is to shower it's monstrous creator with love and adoration.
But that's not the correct nature of that Higher Power. God is repeatedly and interchangeably referred to as "THE FATHER" in scripture... that says something about His/Her/It's relationship with us!
As a father myself, I want nothing more than to have my kids grow up and do better than me every step of of the way. I don't want them to grovel, I don't want them to fear me and I sure as hell don't want them to worship me. I only want to help them reach their full potential... something my kids will have to arrive at themselves no matter how much I help. That means that ultimately, I want to see my children succeed. Deep down in my soul I know that Higher Power wants the same for me.
As a father myself, I want nothing more than to have my kids grow up and do better than me every step of of the way. I don't want them to grovel, I don't want them to fear me and I sure as hell don't want them to worship me. I only want to help them reach their full potential... something my kids will have to arrive at themselves no matter how much I help. That means that ultimately, I want to see my children succeed. Deep down in my soul I know that Higher Power wants the same for me.
Better to burn in the hell of an angry vengeful monster that live as a golem who's sole purpose at creation is to shower it's monstrous creator with love and adoration.
But that's not the correct nature of that Higher Power. God is repeatedly and interchangeably referred to as "THE FATHER" in scripture... that says something about His/Her/It's relationship with us!
As a father myself, I want nothing more than to have my kids grow up and do better than me every step of of the way. I don't want them to grovel, I don't want them to fear me and I sure as hell don't want them to worship me. I only want to help them reach their full potential... something my kids will have to arrive at themselves no matter how much I help. That means that ultimately, I want to see my children succeed. Deep down in my soul I know that Higher Power wants the same for me.
My posting is not about a traditional father and child relationship. It says nothing about fearing God, nor does it say anything about blind obedience. What is says is "loving God." That is not from fear or blind obedience, it is from "Love." As to conditions for heaven or earthly paradise, it means you must be in the presence of God. If you don't like God, or you don't want to be in His presence, you'll find another world, one separate from God.
As a suggestion, read the OT prophets and their description of the Lord and angels. They are in a spiritual world, not a earthly material world. You may find analogies with human societies, but it is a big stretch because the nature of God, angels and heaven is different.
Before good and evil, we existed in a world without it. It was necessary, therefore to "banish" us to a world that matched this image. Or rather this world became the world we live in, because of the nature of humans.
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