Also sorry for derailing the thread OP. Plus, it's not my intention to upset religious members. It's up to us what we believe in. I realise this isn't the best thread to have a religion bashing vent.
Maybe you're right and, I'll regret all this from hell! It's just my opinion ultimately. I would recommend anyone offended by blasphemy to skip the next part...
What about all the other creatures though? Maybe God exhibits a favouritism towards humans but, why make them suffer too? Can a fly even choose to worship God? It can still be eaten alive if it gets caught by something.
What did God hate so much about the dinosaurs? They were here for 165 million years, compared to our measly 6. Why is there no evidence of the dinosaurs worshiping a God? Didn't God think it worth their time visiting them? They still created them though- presumably? Then, threw a great big rock at them when they got bored maybe- to make room for us!
Are we a vanity project for God then? Why would an omnipotent being even need a fan club? Why do they need adulation and thanks? Why do they demand it?
Something I'm curious about... Why do you suppose God appreciates blind faith so much? Would you think it reasonable to 'love' and devote yourself to another thing that no one can be positive exists? Would you expect that of another human? Ok, we're not God. We have no right to expect things but, let's say you did become all powerful.
Would you look at this world. Holy wars where people tear each other to bits in your name and think- I'll keep on hiding. Let's see how this turns out...
Regarding the most heinous crimes too- take paedophilia. Why give a being the desire to hurt children like that? To test to see whether can resist? What if they don't though? That's an innocent child God just sacrificed to run a test! Wasn't there a better way? Ok God values choice- above everything though?
I just find there are too many contradictions. God wants you to choose. But- doesn't God already know what I will choose? Hasn't God already manipulated things in our lives to make it more likely we'll choose certain things? So, the game's rigged for a start. So- that's unfair.
Plus, either God is omnipotent or, they aren't. They either know everything or, they don't. So- surely God already knows what's in store for us. What kind of parents we have, where we were born. What religion we were taught- why allow a person to be indoctrinated in the wrong religion if you're going to punish them for it? Everything just boils down (for me) to a God that enjoys punishing things. So, a sadist basically.
Plus, I've always hated the whole 'Choose God and everything will be forgiven. Live a very honest, honorable life as an atheist and get cast into hell'. I've known some truly wonderful people who were atheists. Overall, the most 'Christian' (in terms of practicalities), people I've known, were ironically non believers! Whereas, we've all heard of the most heinous acts being committed by priests. If they get into heaven, whilst my friends go to hell, there's something very wrong! I'm sorry for the big, long rant. I just get incensed really. Not at religious people. Just the whole big mess of things.