So when the Bible says Mat 25:46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” exactly who is doing the punishing? I was assuming God, or if not God then a subordinate, which, in a moral sense, is just as bad.
I think some punishment is torture. The dictionary agrees:
the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure
the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure; something that causes agony or pain; anguish of body or mind : agony… See the full definition
www.merriam-webster.com
You can choose to pretend it is not so, but that does not change the reality. If the Bible is true, your god is torturing billions.
That was the point of the OP, right? You started this thread specifically to tell us God tortures those who reject him.
"There's a place prepared that has nothing to do with him.
It's known as hell and later, the lake of fire."
God created hell,
God created the lake of fire.
God sends people there to punish them.
God chooses for people to suffer horribly for eternity. You think that that is morally right?
Ah, so this has absolutely nothing to do with the truth.
This is about you reverse engineering it to fit your biases.
Well, if you're that dedicated to your torture, you're going to get exactly what you want.
Hell is dark, 1 John 1:5, God is light.
There's only death in hell because God is life, John 1:4
There's only hatred in hell because 1 John 4:16 says God is love.
There's no mercy in hell because Psalm 36:5 says God's mercies are in the heavens
There's no strength in hell because Psalm 18:32 says God gives us strength.
There's no water in hell because Deuteronomy 11:11 says water is the rain of heaven.
There's no peace in hell because Isaiah 9:6 says God is the prince of peace.
There's no understanding, wisdom or knowledge in hell because God gives all three, Proverbs 2:6, Ecclesiastes 2:26, Daniel 2:21.
There's no joy in hell because God gives joy. Ecclesiastes 2:26, Galatians 5:22.
There is no satisfaction in hell because God gives all to enjoy, and be satisfied with. Joel 2:19, 26
There is no comfort in hell because God is comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.
There are none of the things that make life worthwhile, because God gives all, Acts 14:17.
There is no encouragement in hell because God is the God of encouragement, Romans 15:5
There is no hope in hell because God gives us hope through the scriptures. Romans 15:4.
So, if God removes himself from the situation, all the good goes with him.
You can't have the good without God.
You can't separate the two.
So, if you're the person who says- "I don't want anything to do with God,"
Fine.
There's a place prepared that has nothing to do with him.