I don't believe, but KNOW that the god of the bible, as described throughout this forum with many examples, is a monster.
It took years to come to this realization, Hunter. The brainwashing and conditioning put me in denial and I did not allow myself to critically look at the evidence. I only looked at the feel good parts of the bible, and ignored the rest.
Now that I have "grown up" I am able to look at things more clearly. Hunter, at first I thought it was blasphemy to question or criticize or to use my "god-given" mind. And that is the way they want it. Slaves and sheep and separation. I struggled with this, Hunter. I really struggled. I was a good little chrisian girl, who did everything by the book. I went to church all the time! Jesus was my lord and savior. But even still, prayers were not answered, I was depressed and unhappy. Guilty and fearful. I observed sooooo much suffering and was never satisfied with the christian answers given, even as a little girl. I did not have the peace "beyond all understanding." that is promised. Well actually sometimes there were highs at church and meetings, but they were emotional false highs. Sure....I smiled and pretended and sensed that many were doing the same. They (and me) were not walking our talk.
You do ask a good question, Hunter, regarding religion being a monster. I sense that you know the answer to that one.
