08 Distorted

Summary

The speaker reflects on the concept of God as a father figure and how this perception can influence one's spiritual journey. Using a personal anecdote about his daughter Amber, he explores the idea that one's image of God can either attract or repel, leading to religious devotion or atheism. He criticizes distorted views of God propagated by some religious institutions, which he believes have led to atheism. The speaker encourages seeking the true, beautiful nature of God, suggesting that a correct understanding of God's character can lead to a profound love and desire to emulate Him.

Takeaways

• 😇 The speaker reflects on the image of God and how it can either attract or repel people.
• 👨‍👧 The story of Amber, the speaker's daughter, and their physical resemblance serves as a metaphor for how people relate to God.
• 🤔 The speaker questions whether the concept of God is one that people want to emulate or if it causes emotional discomfort.
• 🙏 The script emphasizes the importance of aligning one's belief in God with a desire to be like Him.
• 🔍 It challenges the popular images of God that can lead to religious slavery or atheism, suggesting that these are reactions to distorted views of God.
• 🚫 The speaker argues that bad religion, particularly bad Christianity, can be worse than atheism and likens it to 'Babylon'.
• 🏃‍♂️ The Bible is quoted as urging people to flee from false images of God and seek the true God.
• 💔 The script suggests that atheism may be a reaction to the negative portrayal of God by religious institutions.
• 🌟 The speaker expresses a desire for God to be so beautiful that people would naturally be drawn to Him.
• 💬 The narrative concludes with a call for individuals to consider whether they see God as beautiful and if they would want to be like Him.

Q & A

What is the anecdote shared about Amber and the customs agent?

Amber, the speaker's daughter, was traveling internationally with her father when a customs agent questioned their relationship due to the father's youthful appearance. To prove their familial connection, they posed with identical nose profiles, which convinced the agent of their relation.

How does Amber feel about resembling her father?

Amber is not bothered by her resemblance to her father. In fact, she expresses that she likes looking like him, as indicated by her girlish giggle and positive response to her father's question.

What does the speaker suggest about the concept of God being our 'father'?

The speaker suggests that the concept of God as our father is not just a metaphor but a reflection of God's character that we should aspire to emulate, questioning whether people find the idea of God attractive or repulsive based on their beliefs about His nature.

Why does the speaker believe that bad religion is worse than atheism?

The speaker believes that bad religion is worse than atheism because it can lead to religious slavery or anger towards the concept of God, whereas atheism is seen as a reaction against the distorted images of God promoted by the church.

What does the speaker imply about the nature of the true God?

The speaker implies that the true God is extremely beautiful in character, so much so that if people truly knew God as He is, they would fall in love with Him.

What is the term used in the script to describe the worst form of religion according to the Bible?

The term used to describe the worst form of religion is 'Babylon,' which the Bible calls 'the mother of harlots.'

What does the speaker suggest people should do regarding false images of God?

The speaker suggests that people should flee from every false picture of God and embrace the true God, who is described as being of utmost beauty.

How does the speaker's personal relationship with his daughter reflect on his discussion about God?

The speaker's positive and affectionate relationship with his daughter, who is happy to resemble him, serves as a metaphor for the desirable relationship people should have with God, wanting to be like Him.

What is the main question the speaker believes we should ask about God?

The main question the speaker believes we should ask about God is whether the picture of God in our hearts is one that attracts us or repels us, emotionally and spiritually.

What does the speaker think about the impact of the church's portrayal of God on atheism?

The speaker thinks that the church's promotion of ugly pictures of God throughout history has led to atheism as a violent reaction against these distorted views, suggesting that bad Christianity has contributed to the rise of atheism.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Father-Daughter Bonding and Reflections on God's Image

The speaker shares a personal anecdote about his daughter Amber, who resembles him closely. During an international trip, they faced a suspicious customs agent who questioned their relationship. To prove their kinship, they showed the agent their similar facial features, particularly their noses, which convinced the agent of their father-daughter relationship. The speaker expresses his appreciation for Amber's acceptance of their resemblance and her positive response when he asked if she minded looking like him. This leads to a broader reflection on how people perceive God as a father figure. The speaker questions whether the concept of God is attractive or repulsive, emphasizing the importance of God's character rather than physical appearance. He suggests that the way people view God can lead to religious devotion out of fear or even to atheism, and he critiques distorted images of God promoted by some religious institutions, which he believes can lead to atheism.

05:02

😇 The Pursuit of a True and Beautiful God

Continuing the previous theme, the speaker discusses the negative impact of the church's historical portrayal of God, which has sometimes led to atheism as a reaction against these unappealing depictions. He suggests that atheism is not the worst outcome but rather bad religion, particularly bad Christianity, which he metaphorically calls 'Babylon.' The speaker encourages people to reject false images of God and to seek the true God, who is described as extremely beautiful. He draws a parallel with his daughter Amber, who has no choice but to resemble him, whereas people have a choice in their relationship with God. The speaker concludes by expressing his gratitude that God is a being he would want to emulate and invites the audience to consider whether they find God beautiful in their eyes.

Keywords

💡God

God, in the context of the video, is presented as a personal and relational figure, akin to a father. The speaker reflects on whether the concept of God is attractive or repulsive, pondering if people would want to emulate God's character. The narrative uses personal anecdotes and Biblical references to explore the idea of God as a 'Papa' or 'Daddy,' suggesting a warm and loving relationship.

💡Father

The term 'father' is used metaphorically to describe God, emphasizing the familial and nurturing aspect of the divine. It is central to the video's theme of exploring the nature of God and how humans perceive and relate to this figure. The speaker uses personal experience with his daughter to draw a parallel between human fatherhood and divine fatherhood.

💡Character

Character, in this video, refers to the moral and ethical qualities of an individual, in this case, God. The speaker encourages viewers to consider whether the character of God is something they would aspire to emulate. It is used to challenge preconceived notions and to prompt a deeper reflection on the attributes of God.

💡Atheism

Atheism is mentioned as a reaction to negative perceptions of God, suggesting that it can be a response to 'bad religion' or distorted views of the divine. The video implies that atheism might not be an inherent rejection of God but rather a rejection of the unappealing depictions of God propagated by some religious institutions.

💡Religious Slavery

Religious slavery is used to describe a state where people serve God out of fear rather than love or genuine devotion. It is contrasted with the idea of a beautiful God who is worthy of emulation and love. The term is used to critique certain religious practices that may foster fear and coercion rather than a healthy relationship with the divine.

💡Bad Religion

Bad religion is portrayed as a negative force, even worse than atheism according to the video. It is characterized by distortions of God's character and teachings, leading to either religious extremism or a backlash against religion altogether. The speaker argues that the problem with bad religion is its ability to create aversion towards the concept of God.

💡Distortions

Distortions refer to the misrepresentations of God's nature and will. The video suggests that these distortions can lead to atheism or negative views of God. They are depicted as the antithesis of the true nature of God, which the speaker argues is fundamentally beautiful and loving.

💡Attraction

Attraction, in the context of the video, is used to describe the positive pull towards God's character. The speaker questions whether people are drawn to the idea of God or pushed away. Attraction is presented as a desirable response to a true and beautiful understanding of God.

💡Repulsion

Repulsion is the opposite of attraction and is used to describe the negative reaction people might have to certain portrayals of God. The video discusses how repulsion can lead to atheism or anger towards the concept of God, stemming from distorted views propagated by some religious teachings.

💡Emulation

Emulation is the act of copying or imitating someone, in this case, God. The video encourages viewers to consider whether they would want to be like God if they truly understood His character. Emulation is presented as the highest form of admiration and respect for the divine.

💡Beauty

Beauty, in the video, is used to describe the inherent attractiveness of God's character. The speaker suggests that if people knew the true beauty of God, they would be drawn to Him. Beauty is contrasted with the ugliness of distorted religious teachings and is presented as a compelling reason to seek a genuine relationship with God.

Highlights

The idea of God can be either attractive or repulsive based on one's perception.

A personal story about a daughter resembling her father and the positive response to this similarity.

An encounter at customs where physical resemblance was used to prove familial relation.

The daughter's pride in looking like her father and the emotional significance of this to the father.

A reflection on how people view God as a father figure and whether they are drawn to or repelled by this image.

The Bible's portrayal of God as 'our Father' and the implications for personal relationship with God.

The question of whether one's belief in God's character is something they aspire to emulate.

The impact of popular images of God on religious behavior, either driving people to religious slavery or to atheism.

The concept that bad religion can be worse than atheism, with bad Christianity being particularly harmful.

The historical view that atheism may be a reaction to distorted images of God promoted by the church.

The suggestion that the true God may be so beautiful that knowing the real God could lead to love and admiration.

An invitation to flee from false images of God and embrace the true, beautiful nature of God.

The personal choice each individual has in their perception and relationship with God.

The speaker's relief and joy that God is a father figure he would want to be like.

A call to the audience to consider whether they find God beautiful in their eyes.

Transcripts

[Music]

our world is filled with popular images

of God does the idea of God shut you

down the picture of God you hold in your

heart one that attracts or

[Music]

repels my daughter Amber looks a lot

like me I mean a lot but no worries if

you're feeling sorry for the girl

because it turns out that the female

version of my DNA combined with a lot of

help from that of my wife is quite

beautiful anyways once when Amber was

traveling with me internationally a

customs agent asked her with a tone of

Suspicion what is your relation to this

man Amber got all nervous and she said

uh he's my dad the agent said something

about me looking too young for her to be

my daughter for which of course I thank

but she wasn't buying our story so

without speaking a word Amber and I

posed for the agent a twin profile and

we told the officer to take a look at

our faces especially our identical

noses the agent said yep you're

definitely related and just waved us

on well I've apologized to Amber over

the years for her distinct likeness to

me but it's kind of cool because she

doesn't seem to mind a bit one time I

noticed in her bedroom a photo of me

when I was about 12 years old the

resemblance was I mean it was striking

so I asked her just kind of probing what

was going on in my little girl's head

hey Amber does it bother you that you

look so much like your

dad I'll never forget her girlish Giggle

and the answer that she gave me no Daddy

I like looking like

you

huh if you're a father or a mother you

must know how sweet it was to hear those

words I like looking like

you but you know what I wonder how many

people feel that way about God I mean

think about it I know that this is hard

to swallow for a lot of us but the Bible

repeatedly tells us that God is our

father yeah our Papa our

daddy even Jesus taught us to pray Our

Father which art in heaven and that's

all fine and good but it raises a

serious question doesn't

it is the god I believe in the kind of

father I would want to be like I know

there's some serious counseling sessions

involved in this one but think about it

I'm not talking of course about God's

physical

appearance I'm talking about his

character the way he thinks the way he

feels and the way he

behaves the kind of person that he is is

the picture of God you hold in your

heart one that attracts or repels you in

your mind's eye I mean in your belief

system is God

beautiful do you find yourself wanting

to be like him or rather does the idea

of God shut you down

emotionally I believe that this is the

most important question that we can ever

ask about God because the fact is our

world is filled with popular images of

God that either drive people into

religious slavery or into angry atheism

to serve God out of fear or to hate the

very idea of

God contrary to popular religious

opinion I believe that atheism is not

the worst thing in the

world bad religion is and bad

Christianity has got to be at the top of

the

list it's so bad in fact that the Bible

calls it get this Babylon the mother of

wow now that's some strong

language and then the Bible goes on to

warn people to run from it to get out

and the reason is quite obvious isn't it

because when those who claim to know God

best convey diabolical things about God

terrible distortions of God's character

are

inevitable the problem is so serious

that historians have suggested that

atheism is the bastard child of the

church born into our world as a violent

intellectual and emotional reaction

against the ugly pictures of God that

the church has promoted down through

history but let me suggest another

possibility maybe the one and only true

God is so beautiful that I would find

myself falling in love with him if I

knew him as he really is Babylon is

Fallen come out of her my people the

Bible says in other words flee from

every false picture of God into the arms

of the one and only true God who just

happens to be beautiful in the

extreme I'm so glad that Amber doesn't

mind looking like me after all she

really really has no choice in the

matter but with God we all do have a

choice so I am really glad that he's the

kind of father I would want to be

like how about you is God beautiful in

your

eyes and