Why did religion writers write stories of God's cruelness (first born killings, plagues, big flood, etc.)?

Certainly I'd say they are metaphors; I think they were like most other people: they want reasons why bad things happen. Those stories were their explanations; probably they were the best explanations they could come up with. I'd have to say that some were justification/rationalization for "us versus them" thinking, but some of them were probably just a way for a non-scientific people to explain phenomena that they didn't understand.

First off (and you'll hear this from every christian) they aren't metaphors. And they aren't to justify violence toward nonbelievers *today*. They were all acts of punishment to nonbelievers and abominations to God before Jesus was born. For instance, the ten great plagues were punishment towards Egypt for enslaving the Jews, God's people. The big flood was to punish the human race, who had forgotten about God and were in an orgy of rape, war, and general chaos and sinning. God destroyed sodom and gamorah because of the impurities of those cities. But in every situation, he saved the people who obeyed him and conformed to his commands.

But today, after Jesus, Christians are required to attempt to convert, rather than beat, nonbelievers. To kill an infidel would be murder, and just as much a sin as killing another Christian.

How many of our great Presidents have a black past and it is told about? It's part of history. In each of these stories there is a lesson to be learned also. The flood is to let us know how God gave the earth another try because of so much evil. The first born killings was by a jealous king, the extras include Daniel and the Lion, The Robe of Many Colors, the whale...how Jonah tried to hide from God...but God found him anyway....the lesson on this? You can run from God but you can't hide from God.....need I go on?

God had them do it. They mean more than you think for example. During the time of Moses first Born's were killed and he was saved. During time of Jesus 1st born were killed and he was saved. Its to show you that the old testament is a prophesy of the new

Another one is Jonahs prophesy the world was going to end but it did not and so in 1988 world was going to end but did not.

Noahs ark is the prophesy we are waiting for. Only the prophet of God will know 7 days before

At Armageddon, all wicked opposers will be destroyed. WHY?

For the sanctification of Jehovah's name, for the vindication of his universal sovereignty and for the salvation of the righteous.

We learn that Jehovah allows wickedness for a time out of love for mankind, extending opportunity for repentance. However, he does not put up with wickedness indefinitely.

It is not cruel to eliminate those who have no regard for the life of their fellow humans. Especially after continous warmings.

Just to illustrate to the stragglers that he MEANS BUSINESS.

Be afraid. Be very afraid ... and then believe in an all-loving god.

ahhhhhh!

I don't know. Apparently, especially in the old testament days, it was to scare the bejeepers out of everyone so they would believe these terrible things would happen to them if they didn't tow the line.

They expected everyone to be afraid, and hence be believers.

yah I would rather run to a religion with peace and happiness, but noooooooo they have to throw all of this end of the world if you don't OBEY stuff in it.

Those story's are suppose to make people fearful of what happens if they don't obey the church/cult, or religious/cult leaders.

The big picture and the true concept behind religion is fear...