> I do not understand. I will never understand.
Well, if you say that, of course you'll never understand. Open up a bit.

>Why would God create, himself, imperfect >creatures and then punish them for their >imperfections?

I can answer this question and I'm not a Christian. God didn't create any imperfect creatures. He created us as perfect beings with free will, and we made ourselves imperfect by exercising that free will.

Of course, It seems to me he set us up in a little trap to begin with. "Here is a garden. Don't youd are eat the fruit from this tree or you'll die." Jeez, why don't you just put a sign on the tree saying "EAT ME!" Better to have just not had that stupid tree in the garden to begin with.

Reminds me of parents who keep their firearms in plain view and tell their children not to touch them--but never tell them why except for a vauge "you'll get hurt." Better to instruct your children in the safe and responsible handling of firearms so that they'll develop a respect for them (and the "forbidden" nature of the guns won't be so attractive). You either don't keep guns in your house at all or you instruct your children in their proper use and care. The analogy being, of course, that You either don't Keep a Tree of Knowledge in Your garden at all or you instruct Your children in its proper use and care from the beginning.