from my experiences, specifically, it's been a tool used to subjugate others to follow a strict doctrine of compliance..without room for question..but that has been my experience. You've had another, much more genial and benign. I understand 

No, actually, I agree with you largely, although I'm not sure that isn't more RELIGION in general.  The sad part to me is that anytime one find a "false" something (doctrine, idea, belief, morality, concept ... ) it is an indication that someplace out there, there is a REAL ... and that's what I'm after.  How about you?  It's just hard sometimes weeding through the BS to get to the REAL ... and how will we know it if we find it?   

 

Thanks for your response!  Happy Sunday! 

you're "right on the money" with that one Barb..
I have no fear of God..for they/he/she/it would know me and the life I have..part of the determination of "free will' is to allow the creations the ability to scrutinize their own lives and to accept the actions they have taken, take responsibility for those actions and be part of moving the world forward, hopefully for the betterment of all.

As for me, I have no fear of God. I live each day to the fullest and I do my best to live it the right way. any mistakes that i make, though i ask for forgiveness, i know will be brought forth when i am ready to check out. however; I think that most people are not afraid of God so much as where they will end up when they die. people shouldnt live their life based on that fear, but a good % of the time they do.

Nicely said.  Thank you for your input.  I think many people have a misguided understanding of God because of unbalanced teaching from the Church (all denominations, creeds, and religions).  Simply put, man has inadequately interpreted the nature of God (the Divine) and build a lavish box to contain such a being.  Can a Supreme Being, however, be contained in a manmade box?

lol It is kinda hard to put your finger on it, isn't it?  I think it's more of an attitude than an emotion, too ... an attitude of grasping, however feebly, the sovereignty, omniscience, omnipresence ... of our loving Father!  Just like you said!  lol

In the Bible, fear of the Lord and obedience seem to be often tied together.  I agree with bookworm's definition of deep respect and reverence, although I think we've missed a few things, at least in what I've heard and experienced in American churches.  It is actual fear of Him--not a fear like of the boogeyman in the dark, but a fear of, well, Him!  I've only experienced this literal fear of Him once.  It was the kind of biblical fear where one wants to get down on his face.  Hard to describe.  I find these verses "interesting."  In both cases, fear is attached to believers standing before the judgment seat of Christ.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.”

 

“For we know him who said, Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

  

yes, Jim ... you bring up a good point.  I mentioned in another reply, that I think in the American church, there has been a casualization of God ... "Abba" Father.  And there is that ... but along with that has come a lack of reverence, a lack of understanding of His sovereignty ... His majesty ... His mind-blowing power.  This cripples us in our walk because without that power, that deep abiding reverence, God tends to become an over-grown "sugar-Daddy" and we cry when we don't get what we want.  It's still all about us ... about me, my, mine ... instead of Jesus! ... My thoughts!  But still ... He is big enough to correct us! 

Yes, He is.  And may He do so!

hmmm yes!  All of the above!  And yet ... how is it that Abrahom feared God, yet was also called God's friend?  An interesting balance ...  

it's the mysteries of the universe