I suppose the Hebrew Bible’s stories of slaughter and mayhem are responsible for this dual conception of G-d, slow to anger but vengeful as well. It seems to continue, in somewhat modified form due to Jesus’ focus on forgiveness–also contained within the Hebrew Bible–in Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox) as well as in Islam. Is this inner tension concerning G-d’s justice and mercy true only of the Abrahamic religions, or does it also appear in Hinduism, Buddhism, Pagan religions, and so on? And what are the consequences of this perception and interpretation of G-d’s nature on Man’s behavior? Finally, do you agree with the interpretation?
I think so and I think so because they are monotheistic. So, G-d has a dual nature.
I’m not as familiar with Hinduism and Paganism, but Hinduism is hard to define because it’s more of a school of thoughts rather than a single religion and G-d is personally defined – which can be polytheistic or monotheistic or deistic or agnostic and so on, depending on the personal choice. Or it does not deny the other existence of gods, along with a supreme being. Paganism would, for the most part, assign different natures to the various gods would be my guess.
What I find most fascinating are Sikhs and Jains. Sikhs are monotheistic but he is a G-d of equality. They are very egalitarian and household oriented. Like Catholics, they have saints called Gurus and undergo a baptism by water, but they drink the water. They emphasize family and living a reclusive or monastic life is looked down upon well. G-d is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent – but he does not appear to be judgmental because the soul strives to live in union with G-d through self-discipline by avoiding 5 evils. Salvation is by union with G-d, but you only get one chance at it. They do not have a heaven and hell – just a personal union with God.
Jainism is a religion on non-violence and spiritual growth. They don’t seem to have a deity because everything is in nature and nature created and maintains the universe. It may be the oldest religion in the world. Older than Hinduism.
So, I would say that G-d’s dual nature only appears in in Christianity, Judaisim and Islam. The polytheisitc religions have more gods to deal with differing natures and the religions, which believe in reincarnation do not believe that G-d could have a dual nature because a compassionate G-d would be antithetical to a just G-d, in their view.
I think the consequences are that religions like Buddhism or Sikhims or Jainism seem to place more responsibility on the individual for his own salvation or reincarnation. They appear to be more “present” oriented religions, if that makes any sense, especially if they believe in reincarnation, rather than salvation. Their ideas of non-violence and equality long preceeded Christianity and Judaisim. I would say that of the Eastern religions, Sikhism is closest to Christianity because if one does not resist the 5 evils, one will be separated from G-d unless they remedy the situation before death. That’s about as close a reference to “sin” as I could find in other religions.
JMHO.
