Looking for the worst

what is it about us

that we want to believe the worst about other humans,

and about the Sacred

one prominent (and very conservative) theologian wrote

“God does not punish innocent children for the sins of guilty parents.

There are no innocent children.”

Ok, the first part I can buy

but the second?

Juxtaposed to the first it implies

all children deserve to be

and are

punished

they are unclean, dirty ,sinful

sorry, not my children

not yours

there are innocents in the world

and God is not one who delights in catching people doing things that

may not be good

and punishing them

I don’t believe it

but so many want that kind of God

just as they want a presidential candidate who

will take power and use it on others

a bully

why do we advocate for brutality

why are we so quick to believe the worst

why do we wallow in the failures of others

if Jesus taught us anything

it was that this is not how we are to think

or behave

we are to see

and believe the best of others

we are to love them into being the best they can be

we are to love ourselves

into being our true selves

this God of anger and retribution

who almost salivates over the chance to condemn and punish?  Not God

the tendency to judge others, to look for the worst

to quickly believe the worst

this way we have of rejoicing when others fail and fall

this bloodthirsty desire to see God administer justice?

Not Godly

At least not

From where

I

stand