And yet we are expected to believe that when GOD does these things, it is somehow moral?
We are expected to believe that God turns a flood loose on the world, and drowns all of it's children, and that this is somehow moral?
We are expected to believe that God looses plagues, disease, and pestilence on the innocent children of Egypt, and that this is somehow moral?
We are expected to believe that he tortures and disfigures Job in some sado-masochistic side-bet with Satan, and that this is somehow moral?
We are expected to believe that he demands the willingness to cut the throat of one's own son in a test of fealty, and that this is somehow moral?
Who are you trying to kid?
Yourself?
These things are objectively and unquestionably evil.
And because you are unwilling to apply the fundamental scrutiny of reason to these questions, you simply state without justification, that God has a different standard of morality than we mere mortals do... and it isn't to be questioned.
Then again, I guess there's really nothing else you CAN do.
And you apparently don't understand the distinction between eternity and this temporal life we live.
Then you claim to have superior reasoning skills. (And you still haven't answered the question. Whose definitions will win out, or carry the day, so to speak? Your's or God's? (One word answer accepted - "Mine" or "God's.")
Ok... Let's grant the supposition that God is love.
It's not a supposition. God said that he is love.
But let's also recognize the fact that God teaches us what love is both in law, and in parable, throughout the Bible. And as such, we understand that it is immoral to steal, and to murder, and to intentionally cause harm to another, and to punish innocents.
OK, agreed.
And yet we are expected to believe that when GOD does these things, it is somehow moral?
When did God do ANY of these things? (If you answer correctly, you might get me to agree somewhat with ONE of these, to a limited degree. Which one?)
We are expected to believe that God turns a flood loose on the world, and drowns all of it's children, and that this is somehow moral?
Mischaracterization. You know better than this. If you don't want me quoting Bible verses back at you, please refrain from this.
We are expected to believe that God looses plagues, disease, and pestilence on the innocent children of Egypt, and that this is somehow moral?
Come on, once again, you know better than this. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We are conceived in sin. Also, eternity in the presence of God awaits the children who are taken before they are accountable.
We are expected to believe that he tortures and disfigures Job in some sado-masochistic side-bet with Satan, and that this is somehow moral?
Another gross mischaracterization. What was the end result for Job?
We are expected to believe that he demands the willingness to cut the throat of one's own son in a test of fealty, and that this is somehow moral?
Test of fealty? (Giggle) Once again, what was the end result for Abraham?
I'll leave the personal dig that follows this aside, 'cause I don't think you really meant it.
Perhaps God's "morality" defines what God can do and what mortals can do. Certain things are reserved for God (e.g. the power over life and death). On the surface this seems hypocritical. I mean, if God can do it, why can't we?
But consider an analogy. Parents do many things which they would absolutely deny their small children (e.g. have sex, handle large sums of money, drive the family car). Does that mean they are hypocrites or have a different standard of morality?
I think not.
Everyone must die some time or other. Only God knows what's on the other side. If He chooses to send an "innocent" to heaven sooner rather than later, then so be it. Who are we to say He is being cruel or hypocritical?
If we had the knowledge, experience and eternal perspective that God has, I'm sure it would all seem perfectly logical.