I think that part of the problem is that the Bible says that God not only judges individuals but also judges (and punishes) nations. I think this is a pernicious idea because it justifies the "righteous" forcing the "unrighteous" to live their lives according to the former's belief of what is "God's will." This is done so the righteous can avoid God's punishment. Since God's punishments are extremely terrible, the righteous are justified in doing almost anything to avoid them.