Hi Steve,

>snip<

>Uh-oh! You better hurry and "reconcile yourself" first regardless, or you'll be eternally damned by "Him." And you'll deserve it because...because...well, it is written, or something. Touchy bastard, isn't He? ;-)

I'm really sorry you have such a skewed view of God. I must, I suppose, apologize for all the people you've encountered over the years that have caused you to think this way. I truly am sorry. I'm also sorry you're as angry as you seem to be. All I can do is assert to you that God does indeed love you as an individual. I cannot change you, nor would I so wish to do but I must assert that regardless of the poor representation some have apparently given you God does indeed wish your best.

Most of the pain we encounter in life comes from either ourselves or others who frankly are not doing what God would want them to do. Remember, the two most important things in Christianity are a) Love God with all your heart, mind, strength, etc and b) love your neighbor as yourself.

All of us fall way way short of this but God doesn't condone these failings. He forgives them.

There is justice, make no mistake about it and you and I need to resolve the issue -but- there is no "arm twisting" I've ever seen from God. From men misrepresenting Him perhaps.

God take a lot of bum raps where man blames Him for what other men have, of their own volition, chosen to do. I'm sorry if that's happened to you and again, I apologize for those who in God's name have perhaps hurt you in the past.