stupid statement

I was reading the religion section of the Dallas Morning News last Saturday (as usual) and one sentence in an opinion letter stood out to me. The writer was carrying on about how God is just God to everyone, it doesn't matter if you are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, etc. And furthermore, no one should be trying to persuade anyone else to believe in their particular religion since...and here is the kicker line that just blares out..."I believe in a Creator that loves us unconditionally and makes no demands on us whatsoever." Now that is one of the stupidest things I have ever read. I agree with the first part of the statement. Yes, God does love everyone unconditionally. However, it is exactly because of that love that he DOES make demands on us and requires things of us. Think of it in human terms. If there is such a thing as unconditional love in our world, it is found in a parent's love for their child. I would love Ava and Nate no matter what horrible things they might do. Because I love them, I have requirements of them. I really don't care deeply if Johnny down the street is staying out all night getting drunk and having sex with 100 different people, but I absolutely care if my own children were doing that. I demand that they refrain from that kind of activity because I don't want them to get hurt emotionally or physically. I want to keep them safe, so I require that they don't ride with strangers, don't abuse drugs, and look both ways before crossing the street. I require that they speak with me and any authority figure with respect and obey me so that they learn to be polite and well-mannered. Why do I care if they are polite and well-mannered? Because I love them and I know it would be a difficult life for them if they were constantly clashing with authority and constantly in trouble. So the Bible talks of God as our Father...isn't it natural that a Father that loves us deeply would require things of us that he knows will keep us safe and healthy? God isn't some giant rule book in the sky looking for chances to ruin our fun with some arbitrary commands. He is a loving Father that desires for us to have the fullest, richest, healthiest, most joyful life ever. He knows what hurts us (often the very things we go after the most) and he requires us to go to him instead. Why would God require those that belong to him to share his plan of salvation with those that don't know it? Because of his deep unconditional love for every human soul on the planet.