Reply #21: "unfailingly vengeful and angry god"-and therein lies the problem

[reprobate]

In my view, the three western monotheistic religions are based on the patriarchal family model, and at the times of the foundations of these cults, the father was the ONLY decider of reward and punishment. And since the 'father' (and I use the term symbolically) of a religion or group or family is the only leader of the group, he will brook no discussion or argument about his decision making. Therefor punishment is swift and certain to be an example for others who would dare disagree.

Also in my view, this is a basically unhealthy model for either a family, group or religion. I have said before on these forums that it is almost a given that children who are abused - emotionally, physically, or sexually - come from families based on the patriarchal model. The father is the 'god' of these families and can do no wrong, so his actions are taken as right and good. This is how abuse is passed from generation to generation, and predominantly thru the males of the family.

It would be fascinating to do a comparison of abuse in monotheistic vs. pantheistic families. That is, christian, muslim, and jewish as opposed to Buddhist and hindu. I'd bet some serious coin that you'd find far less acceptance and occurrence in the pantheist family. And here I define 'pantheistic' as those religions which have multiple gods which usually represent the many and various facets of the human psyche.

This can also be seen in semi-religious and pseudo-religious organizations. Example: Way 'back in the day' when I was in my twenties, I was involved for a short time with a quasi psychic-spiritual group. The highlight of the year's agenda was a live-in camp/teach-in, for which my fiance (at the time, now wife for the last thirty plus years) and I paid some serious money for that time. We were in day two of ten when the 'leader' of the organization visited the DC office - the camp was nearby in VA. Suddenly almost the entire staff of the camp and teachers decided to take the next three days to bask in the rays of the glorious leader, leaving us with nothing but scenic countryside to learn from. So, even tho a major tenet of the organization was "Don't put anyone on a pedestal, and don't let anyone put you on one", we saw the demands a charismatic leader makes and the followers willingly accede to. The disillusionment was almost painful that the more advanced in the group could ignore the neophytes and the money we had paid, which btw, allowed the leader to travel as he did, and leave us with out thumbs in quite uncomfortable places. Needles to say we demanded or tuition back and that was our last contact with any group formed on the patriarchal model.

And I think something of the same sort of experience is behind most of those who de convert, no matter what the religion, cult, or organization.