When I was growing up God was pictured as a kind, wise old man (of course!) with a beard. He smiled, was loving and generous and was good to little children. It beats me why a God who (might have) created this amazing, stunning, interesting world would be petty enough to insist on his creations fearing him. Is this not a case of priests attributing to him the very desires they themselves have, that is, to control their flocks and keep them in a state of fear and awe?
When I was growing up God was pictured as a kind, wise old man (of course!) with a beard. He smiled, was loving and generous and was good to little children. It beats me why a God who (might have) created this amazing, stunning, interesting world would be petty enough to insist on his creations fearing him. Is this not a case of priests attributing to him the very desires they themselves have, that is, to control their flocks and keep them in a state of fear and awe?