I don't think in all the time I've read posts by atheists on this and other sites, anyone has ever said that the character of (the Christian, usually) god is a positive one. It's not surprising of course. I thought this god was a nasty piece of work and that the believers around me must have been blind not to see it.

It helped me question it all and become atheist. I have little doubt I'd have held to my belief longer if I thought God was a nice chap.

So, I'm interested in what people thought of God when they believed. If no former believers think of God as anything but wicked, does that mean all current believers are lying to themselves or others about God being loving?

If that wasn't the case, I would expect to see more atheists who still think the character of God is a good one, even though they no longer believe.