Well said. I always have trouble with those who say things like, “I could never believe in a God who (insert claimed bad characteristic here, typically “who would led children suffer” or the like).” I know that it is common to hear people (atheists and agnostics) claim that man made God rather than God made man, but that is not my belief. If there is, as I believe, a God, He is who He is.
God COULD BE a hateful, cruel God. If He were, and that is what I believed, I would do whatever I could to ensure that He didn’t take it out on ME or my family. But I believe God is a good and loving God, and a just God. I don’t claim to know all, or even a lot, about Him, but I am trying to learn.
I could be wrong, that is part of the nature of faith. However, my life experience, the (limited) intelligence He has given me, history all come together to assist me in developing my faith. (One of the anchors of my faith is the historic existence of Christ, coupled with the willingness of his early disciples to die horrible deaths that they certainly would have (and could have) avoided if they had not seen what they saw and believed what they believed.
“who would led children suffer” or the like).”