A common thread of Abrahamic religions is that god is responsible for creation. He created the universe and everything in it, including heaven and the angels or whatever. He is responsible for all existence other than himself.
When asked if something existed before god, theists, and figures of authority within theism such as priests of all ranks, respond with a resounding "no!". There was nothing before god.
So my questions are these:
-did god create abstract things such as morality(good and evil) and love, hate, friendship, greed, compassion etc. ?
Basically, did god set the standards for 'good behaviour' which results in reward and 'bad behaviour' which results in punishment himself, or did they exist independently of him?
-is he bound by the same standards himself?
-does he love us? Is you say yes, what makes you think so?
I don't know about anyone else, but I've studied all three Abrahamic religions in detail for nearly twenty years. I'll answer these with no agenda.
1: The Bible alludes to God creating everything, including "Evil". Though the latter, not in a physical manifested sense, but as an alternative choice. It rationalizes this as all things from God were good, and so to stray from him and his ways, was Evil. Since it was possible to stray from him (free will of angels and man), it was possible to be Evil before either had turned to it.
The Quran more or less backs up the bible in this sense, but going into it would be laborious.
The Torah backs this up. But the Talmud and the Zohar do not. As you go into Ultra Orthodox Judaism, you'll discover the concept of the Right and Left-hand of G-d; under which there is no true definition of Evil. In this teaching, one may do evil or good and it is both from G-d, but from either his left or right hand.
2. God in the Bible is bound only be his word, and his word to us is the Law he
allowed us to know about. I bolded this, because of it's importance. Taking the rationale of the Bible into account, there could be other things the God of the Bible doesn't think we're worthy of knowing. His word in the Bible is meant for Human consumption alone. Essentially, he is bound by promises he makes, because it's reasoned that he cannot lie (lying originated with Satan, though the concept existed before him ie: the
possibility of lying).
Again, Judaism differs, depending on sect and book. There's an instance of a Rabbi getting into a debate/argument with G-d and out-smarting him. Which, of course, goes against the all-knowing nature of the Islamic and Biblical Gods.
As for punishment, the Bible states that the wages of sin is death. That's your punishment for being a sinner*. And it is the same one referred to as being the punishment to Adam and Eve for disobedience: Death. I've read the Bible over and over. It has no mention of humans burning in fire for eternity. The only time it's mentioned is in a parable (could be metaphorical)**. And when it mentions the Lake of Fire into which
Death and Hades were thrown***.
Many Jews and Judaic sects don't believe in Hell. Many believe that you make your own heaven and hell while here on earth.
3. The Bible teaches that he loves humans, but hates evil. This doesn't, however, mean that he loves a human no matter what they do. Considering the claim of the Biblical God being the most intelligent being to ever exist, it'd be nonsensical to believe he couldn't see through something as transparent as pretending to be righteous or repeated bad deeds with no genuine repentance. But yes, it says he loves all humans and is willing to forgive if they are truly repentant, and willing accept his son. Interestingly, it says one of the most despicable to him is saying that the Holy Spirit is of Satan.
The Quran has a similar foundation, but differs in that God does not forgive those who attribute sons and other helpers to him -- going directly against the Bible's 'those who do not accept the Son, are not accepted by the Father' etc. The God in the Quran is also closer to God mentioned in the Old Testament and Torah, than the New Testament. He's a little bit stricter.
In left-leaning Judaism, G-d loves Jews and coverted proselytes who accept and observe his practices. While he doesn't hate the Goyim, he doesn't look out for them as they are not part of his plan until they either convert or acknowledge the Noahide Laws (the laws Goyim should follow). In Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox, G-d loves practicing Jews and even non-practicing, but doesn't like Goys at all, they are nothing and are to be subservient to Jews. The difference, it is stated in Orthodox Judaism, between the Goyim and the Jewish soul is the same as between a human and the lowest animal.
If I've missed any questions, let me know. Free free to ask more.
*Wages: ie debt/repayment of sin:
http://biblehub.com/romans/6-23.htm. The dead know/are concious of nothing:
http://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm
**Parable:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16&version=NIV
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
***Death and Hades thrown into "the fire"
http://biblehub.com/revelation/20-14.htm.
"Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death." The "first death" refers to dying as we know it with, as the Bible mentions, a hope of apparently being ressurected. Nowhere in entire book does it say mankind burn in this Fire. If Death and Hades (the grave) are given Second Deaths, it means they will no longer exist.
