All unsubstantiated speculation. 1 Corinthians 15:29 has been investigated at length for centuries, there is no definitive answer as to its meaning. It was written in Greek, the Greek can be interpreted several ways. "Proxy baptism" is only hinted at in that one passage, but the concept is contrary to all other Christian teaching which means it is likely an incorrect interpretation.
Jesus seems alright to me, alien or not, unless anybody knows somebody who can upstage him? For example he said- "Love God, love one another, feed the hungry, house the homeless, clothe the destitute, tend the sick, visit the prisoners, look after the poor"- (Mark 12:30, John 13:34, Matt 25:37-40)
Its not about God's ego or feelings. How do you think you should feel when facing the creator of the Universe, the God who has complete power of life and death? Do you really believe you will just walk up to Him, pat him on the shoulder, sit down and say "How's it hanging?" Not a chance. Fear has multiple levels, you are thinking of fear as something irrational, as panic and alarm. Fear is also concern or worry, as in hoping you have done the right thing because you don't want to embarrass or disappoint someone. There is no dichotomy with fearing and loving God.
I cannot think of any reason I would fear a god, if he/she/it was truly a god what possible reason would he have for hurting me? For me one of the biggest reasons for not believing in any god depicted by religions are the threats so many religions cite. They anthropomorphize gods, if we are created in gods image I can understand the fear for the reasons I posted, but if there is a god his understanding must be to us like ours is to an ant. To love and fear something so beyond our understanding certainly sets up a dichotomy in me.
Fear as a motivating force for love is not my cup of tea, especially when the price paid for unrepentant transgressions (something pretty much every kid has committed) is eternal damnation in the pits of hell.
Everyone sins, that's not what condemns a person. The test is to recognize and accept the truth, not to live a perfect life (which is impossible). If you accept then you pass, if you reject then you face eternal damnation. I'll ask what I asked another poster. If you have a test tomorrow and you don't study and fail the test, do you blame the teacher, or the fault that you made the wrong choice and did not study? I did not claim that fear is the motivation for love. The 2 can be in parallel. And fear does not have to be fear of another person, but fear of disappointing or embarrassing another person.
