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God’s image is not a physical likeness-it is an eternal soul.

We are not really sure what his “image” is. I find it interesting that the tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This implies that in a very real way we were like the animals. That is, we had no accountability for sin other than don’t eat that apple. We did. We became accountable. We also knew.

I could go down a serious rabbit hole here, but my point was merely that we could argue until death what “in God’s image” means since now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. i.e. we have partial knowledge that is sorely lacking to come up with a difinitive answer to the question. The answer is NOT in Genesis 1:26.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

So God is a Spirit, and that’s the sole similarity we have with Him.

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God isn’t subject to our beliefs. We’re subject to His. He can do with us as He wishes as our Creator.

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

But I’m sure you don’t think these “eternals” or “everlastings” mean what they say either.

And others have shown you verses that indicate the eternality of hell and the lake of fire. This understanding is what millennia of Christians have believed. Annihilationism was regarded as heresy.

I guess my question is, what if you’re wrong? Is it our responsibility to strive to know God as He is, or to strive to know god as we want him to be?

I believe God can do with us as He pleases (See Romans 9). I worship Him in His sovereignty over us. You seem to be horrified at such sovereignty. I’d venture to say that you’re Arminian in theology. I’m not, because I’d have to ignore too much Scripture, squint with both eyes, and stand on my head to reach your conclusions. :)