[Junior]

It isn't that kind of gift. If God requires us to believe in Him and accept Him as our God in return for salvation, then it isn't a gift but a contract -- and one in which God holds all the power. In other words, one could consider it an extortion racket: "Believe in Me or you'll fry." Not necessarily something a "loving God" would do, is it?

Does anyone else ever think these issues through, or do they just accept them because they were told that was the way it was?

[papertyger]

Does anyone else ever think these issues through, or do they just accept them because they were told that was the way it was?

Nope, you're the first!

Of course, when you frame the questions in such a way as to always arrive at your predetermined conclusion what anyone else thinks isn't really relevant, now is it ;^>

[ARridgerunner]

Good Post:-)

[Elsie]

Not necessarily something a "loving God" would do, is it?

You sure have a one-sided view of Him; don't you?

---

In other words, one could consider it an extortion racket: "Believe in Me or you'll fry."

You have this backward:

Don't believe in Me and you'll fry."

[wallcrawlr]

If you commit a crime doesnt a judge punish you? Isnt justice needed when a person is a criminal?