God can’t get near people to tell them he likes them, because Christianity is busy telling them he’s pissed with them.

God, I’m kind of over you going on about Christianity’s performance-based religion.

It’s up to you, but you’d be a lot better off if you stopped thinking the way they do. 

They? I’m one of them.

Sure, but you’d still be better off if you stopped thinking the way they do.

I’m trying God but it’s hard to shake that kind of thinking. Anyway, can’t we talk about something else??

Absolutely, what would you like to talk about?

Whatever you want to talk about.

Perhaps not?

What do you mean?

Christianity’s warped view of me is what I want to talk about.

Why though, we’ve covered this so often?

Think about this passage about me, ‘Mighty…?’

You mean ‘Mighty Counsellor’?

Yes, tell me what a counsellor does?

They get people talking until their issues come out.

Yes, and why?

So, people can deal with their issues.

Good, so why would I be telling you this?

I guess you’re going to tell me that Christianity’s issue…

Yes! The issue that needs to be dealt with…

Ok, ok… that our issue, Christianity’s issue is we think you’re watching our behaviour, making notes of whether we’re good or bad. It makes us like ourselves less, which in turn, makes us achieve less.

Yes exactly. You are obsessed with your behaviour and you think I am too

Me? 

The entire human race, and the blame, for the most part, sits at the feet of Christianity. Other performance-based religions are responsible too, but the greater part of the blame lies at your feet, Christianity.

You think you are saving the world, but to a large extent you are destroying it. I can’t get near people to tell them I like them, because you’re too busy telling them I’m pissed with them.

Harsh words, God.

Not nearly as harsh as the stories you spread about me. Who is this demanding and overbearing God you have introduced so many nations to? What happened to the Jesus whose burden is light, the father who runs to the child when they are still a long way off? Eh? What happened to that Jesus?

The bible says I don’t change. You’re not using your brains, if I was gentle and kind back then, how is it that I’m not anymore?

So, it’s not me we’re talking about here?

All of you, and, yes, you’ve done your part too. Your kids grew up having to live up to standards you imposed because you thought they were my standards. They weren’t. I like people, I’m not wanting to punish them, not watching their every move. 

Ok, ok, God, have you forgotten that so many of the readers of my books are Christians? This sort of talk doesn’t win me friends in high places in churches, and yet that’s where the people are who need to know they can have a back and forth conversation with you like this.

Suck it up, Mark, you’ll manage, nothing worth doing is easy or comfortable for long, particularly when truth is involved.