On Page 55 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Eric Hoffer has one entry which I quote and will comment on.
Hoffer: “ 89
We associate brittleness and vulnerability with those we love, while we endow those we hate with strength and indestructibility. It is perhaps true that the first conception of an almighty God had its origin in the visualization of an implacable enemy rather than a friendly protector. Men loved God the way the Russians loved Stalin. Only be convincing ourselves that we really and truly love an all-powerful and all-seeing enemy can we be sure of never betraying ourselves by a word or gesture. ‘How are you going to love,’ said Tertullian, ‘unless you are afraid not to love!’”
My response: It could be that early or later even current relations between humans and an almighty deity is not easy, automatic or without conflicting feelings.
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