Rejecting God

Lately, I've noticed a common theme. Many folks are rejecting "God."  God is such a problematic and limiting word because it has a million different meanings. Surely, I do not have the exact same idea of God as you do. Our experience, upbringing, and education have lots to do with what "God" means to us. So, are people rejecting God or maybe just one version of God?

I'm finding that lots of intelligent folk are rejecting the God of the Bible. This is the God derived from a literal reading of the Bible-- the way most Christian churches teach people to read the Bible. A common catch phrase often thrown around is "The Bible is the Word of God." Meaning, when you read the words of the Bible, you are essentially reading the words from the mouth of God. Those who support this reading believe that God used humans to shape the Bible just the way He wanted it, thus there is no room for questioning or doubting because who we are to question Almighty God?

I began rejecting this version of God several years ago. It began as questioning...then doubting...and now rejecting. Most of you are quite familiar with this God. He is commonly referred to as the Christian God, even though most of the following traits are totally unChristian. You've heard of this God-- the Man up in the heavens who sends gays and Muslims to hell. The One who doesn't allow women to have equal rights with men, especially not in the church. The God who orchestrated the murder of His son Jesus just so that we would all have the opportunity to say a prayer which would grant access into heaven. The God who doesn't care too much about our planet since the end times are in the very near future. The God who loves America more than any other country, and who fully supports our military and their violent actions...especially when we bomb those "evil people" in other countries. The God who is disappointed when you miss church attendance or skip out on your  morning devotions. And He really dislikes it when you curse, and He needs you to tell him your sorry so that you can be forgiven, thus escaping the flames of hell. The one who wants you to feel guilty as you go through your entire life because deep down you are a dirty human being (even though you are supposedly created in His image). He is much more concerned with you "winning souls" than being compassionate to people who aren't like you. The list could go on...and on... and on.

To clarify, I don't think that rejecting the Bible or God is the answer. I do think that rejecting this concrete literal reading of the Bible is the answer. Christians get so spooked when someone suggests this, but this is such an ancient idea. Theologians, pastors, and lay people have been talking about this for centuries. 

My advice: if you're beginning to question this type of God, keep pushing on! Question... research... doubt... converse, and do so unashamedly. You're not the only one doing these things. Most people are just too scared to express their honest feelings because of the way the church has historically reacted to doubts and questions. Throughout the ages, the church has feared what it doesn't know. Christianity has become way too much about certainty, and way too little about faith. Equating faith with certainty is an oxymoron. The two don't belong together.

So, are you really rejecting God if you're resonating with these words? I would say not. I think you are actually getting closer to the real Source of All. You are getting a real sense of the Ground of All Being, as Paul Tillich so eloquently says. You are progressing. You are evolving. You are moving forward in your spiritual journey. Don't stop now, the beauty is just beginning.



PS: I should add, there has always been room in Christianity for other ways to read the Bible and view God. I still refer to myself as Christian even though I would not be labeled that by most pop-Christians because of my differing beliefs. If you are curious of other alternative views, check out "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time" by Marcus Borg. Or, for a more contemporary reading, check out Rob Bell's latest book. Like myself, you might feel frustrated and angered at what pop-Christianity looks like, but there are alternatives views out there that are gaining significant ground.