A Few Questions About the Word of God

The Bible is said to be the Word of God - a belief that many people regard with awe. But I have several questions that I need to ask. First, do I need to ask forgiveness for taking God to task? I have no desire to offend anyone or say anything unsavory, but is it the Word of God that there be no commandment against slavery? I do not want to create division or schism, but why is there no commandment against racism? Some years ago, a family member of mine was assaulted. Many of us were in shock, with mouths agape, which led me to ask why is there no commandment against rape? When I asked this next question, the replies were uncomfortably vague and obtuse. Why is there no commandment against child abuse? And why, in the Old Testament, are there so many accounts depicted of these horrific crimes being committed? I refuse to accept the notion of a vengeful God, but how could a divine being be so...flawed? If I'm going to believe in God, then I'm going to believe in one that's loving and forgiving; but after years of church and Bible study, I have to say that I have misgivings. Nowadays, I am less religious and more spiritual, coming as it does from observation - mostly empirical. For me, faith is not a given. In my heart and mind, it is a constant struggle - a debate with much argument and rebuttal. Through it all I continue to pray hoping, anticipating, that the grey clouds of doubt will lift and the Creator will see that I do not go astray.