From my friend Gabe, I got a nice email today commenting on God:

I love my cat. I will always love my cat, regardless of my cat's behavior. I may punish my cat for wrongdoing, but only to the extent that the action would hurt my cat, and, by proxy, hurt the love I have for my cat. I love my cat so much, that I would allow my cat to do nearly anything it wants, even if I don't like it, simply because I love him. My love for my cat is patient, and it is kind; it is also tolerant and pure in it's intent. My cat will never understand how much I love him, but that will never diminish the depth of my care. And although I know he can never truly reciprocate these feelings, I will forever hold him in my heart because my love requires no obligation.

At some point, we traded the true essence of God, Love, for an Angry, White-Bearded Old Man. We violate the first and most important commandment each and every time we assume to know what it is that God wants, thinks or does. There is no room in the heart of God for anger, or rage. Nor is there room for guilt nor punishment. Love would not posses these things. In my heart, I know this to be true, simply because "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

...which is exactly the way I feel about my cat.