Good news Quote by Nadia Bolz-Weber
““The image of God I was raised with was this: God is an angry bastard with a killer surveillance system who had to send his little boy (and he only had one) to suffer and die because I was bad. But the good news was that if I believed this story and then tried really hard to be good, when I died I would go to heaven, where I would live in a golden gated community with God and all the other people who believed and did the same things as I did…this type of thinking portrays God as just as mean and selfish as we are, which feels like it has a lot more to do with our own greed and spite than it has to do with God.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast or public talk, date unknown
The quote critiques a fear‑based, punitive view of God, suggesting it reflects human selfishness more than divine nature.
In simple terms: God is portrayed as angry and selfish, mirroring human greed.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how personal biases shape religious images.
Themes
theology
psychology
human nature
critique
faith
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- Personal belief formation
- church teaching
- spiritual counseling
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Anthropomorphism
religious trauma
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your upbringing influence your concept of the divine?
- Can you see alternative, more compassionate images of God?
A Different Perspective
The view may oversimplify complex theological concepts and ignore loving aspects of faith.
