One of the biggest things asked about Christianity is - is God an evil, sadistic, genocidal maniac? With all this pain and suffering on earth, some of the seemingly senseless and even cruel punishments in the Bible, and with the supposed sexist and racist acts of God and His people, how can we say the God of the Bible is anything but either crazy or evil?

This question is not an uncommon one, or I even dare to say, at times an unreasonable one. I myself wondered this as a child and was at times tormented by it. I have also felt the slight bitter taste with the idea that maybe God is not just or fair, but a hateful being that enjoys tormenting His own creation.

Nothing could be farther from the truth though. This study is quite expansive. There are many things in it to address, which is why this is merely part one. All I ask is that we take this journey with an open mind please. Every person has been given the right by God to reject His message, but at least please listen to it with genuine interest over whether it may be plausible before tossing it aside.

So, what are some things that we should address? Determining whether God is "evil" or not takes asking many questions first.

What is "evil"?

Who has the right to determine evil?

Why did God punish people the way He did in the Old Testament?

Why did God command groups of people to be killed in the Old Testament?

Why is there hell, and why does it last forever?

Why does God allow pain and evil?

Why did Jewish and Christian people sometimes do awful things and is this connected to God? And if so what did God do about it?

This is a journey of learning. Even if in the end you decide to disagree with everything I tell you, that is fine and your choice. But at least come to learn something new, to be as open minded towards God as you would want Him to be towards you?