Good Questions – Why is God’s Punishment So Extreme?
“Questions are the engines of intellect, the cerebral
machines which convert energy to motion.”
~Eric C. Eichinger
I continue to ask the questions in this series. Many people might believe that these questions make us bitter or that we’re just causing problems by asking them. I hope the questions help us evolve into a better state of being. Being outside of organized religion, I can finally hear the whispers and observe the drumbeat of the universe, along with the peace and comfort that I find. I find my comfort not in a finalized belief statement but in a way of being that continues to question everything.
Why is God’s Punishment So Extreme?
I frequently tease about the phrase, “Our parents spanked us, and we turned out okay.” I’ve often said that those who make such claims are hardly the best examples of having “turned out okay.” Like many, I have occasionally lost my cool and felt exasperated when my children made a mess, broke valuable items, or when a puppy chewed up a couch for no apparent reason. Life’s surprises can evoke our past wounds and lead us to react from a more primitive part of our brains.
It’s a reaction! It’s a trigger! We respond almost instinctively, often before we can engage our rational thinking to address the situation thoughtfully. To avoid this automatic reaction, we diligently focus on healing the trauma that leads to these triggers. We also practice self-regulation techniques, such as deep breathing, to calm ourselves before taking actions we might later regret. The process involves personal growth, maturity, and acting responsibly in our environments.
We also encourage our children from an early age not to react to every challenge they encounter. We guide them in managing their anger, sharing with others, and being kind. In the Christian tradition, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving one’s neighbor and treating others as one would like to be treated. Developing self-control, especially when caring for a pet or child, takes time, practice, and maturity. We must learn to pause and regain our composure before causing harm to anyone else.
Handling life’s stressors requires years of practice and conditioning. When individuals break the rules, instead of ignoring their actions, we learn to respond in reasonable ways that avoid violence or other detrimental behaviors, particularly toward our children. If we excuse poor behavior based on the actions of others, we fall short of being mature, compassionate, loving, or healthy. We refrain from excessive control driven by fear and apply corrections tailored to each offense.
I mention this because the God of Christianity appears unreasonable regarding our wrongdoings and the associated punishments. While we believe we are progressing beyond harsh penalties for minor infractions, the God of Christianity seems even harsher. According to the narrative, even a minor transgression, like lying to our parents (something we have all done) or pushing a classmate, results in a sentence of eternal conscious torment (Hell) from God, regardless of how trivial the offense may be.
It’s important to recognize that the teachings of Christianity can be confusing and inconsistent, permitting practices like slave punishment while forbidding pork consumption. The accounts in the Old Testament are often violent, and the portrayal of God there does not appear to be any more forgiving. Moreover, this God is depicted not just as punitive, but as having reportedly destroyed all of humanity due to their failures within the framework He established.
Good fathers prioritize restoration over retribution, exemplified by Jesus’ compassion during his time. However, if both are considered God, a conflict arises, as God cannot embody retribution and restoration simultaneously. Trust in His judgment becomes questionable if He misjudges circumstances, believing it’s acceptable to condemn someone eternally for not understanding the rules or succumbing to their passions.
We have all thought about the demise of our “enemies,” wishing terrible things to happen to them. We were hurt, and for a time, we seethed with anger until we didn’t have enough time to process our hurt. Sometimes, we forgive them or learn to set boundaries. As we deal with narcissists, we often make excuses for them, just like many people do for God. His unhinged approach to justice seems more than over the top; it is not the act of a responsible adult and is destined to foster fear and insecurity in humans rather than maturity and growth.
Is it acceptable to support, worship, fund, and empower a narcissist with such a distorted understanding of fairness and judgment?
In a previous blog, I mentioned that many of these perspectives were formed long after Jesus’s life. I cannot invest time in a theologian, pastor, or anyone who endorses this dysfunctional view of the divine. While it might help justify the wars we engage in and our wrongdoings, it will never contribute to the higher ideals of Christianity.
I have reached a stage where I cannot imagine torturing a bug or an animal, let alone a human. I sincerely hope those leading immoral lives can find restoration and confront the shame and guilt stemming from their actions. I hope they will eventually feel remorse and, if possible, receive forgiveness from their victims. I do not share the belief of some former pastors who suggest humans are “deserving of hell.” My children are not perfect and this sometimes frustrates me; however, we have learned to navigate our lives more effectively, developing greater maturity and a close relationship. Retribution doesn’t address long-term issues; it merely intensifies them.
I wish for us all to heal from our trauma, respond more positively to life’s challenges, and let go of the notion of an angry, manipulative deity who tortures humans, reminiscent of how some of us may have treated bugs in our childhood. Such a perspective isn’t beneficial for anyone; it merely fuels anxiety, depression, and harmful thoughts toward oneself and others.
Why is God’s punishment so severe? It’s because we fashioned God in our image.
Keep asking good questions!
Be where you are, Be who you are, Be at peace!
Karl Forehand
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Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward, Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity. He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community. He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston. His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.
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