"People are rejecting the old pagan concept of God---of an old, white man, long beard sitting on a throne---ready to hurl his wrath on all. This is NOT at all the concept of God that Jesus displayed to us."

It's not fair to mix what are merely visual metaphors of God (old, white Jewish man sitting on a throne --- this image being straight out of the New Testament) with inaccurate concepts [a God "ready to hurl his wrath on all]."  As metaphor goes. why NOT the one you described.  Painting God the Person, one has to paint SOMETHING; it's impossible to paint "pure act," or "pure spirit," without painting an object, even if it's wind.   A God who is "ready to hurl his wrath on all" is not displayed, you're right.  But Jesus did tell us that God, though merciful, is also just. and that there is a place called hell where unaccepting [of God] souls go.   He made no bones of this.  To hear you tell it, it's all la-di-da, mercy for all, no justice, no punishment.  That's not what Jesus said.