Commentator
Who is right about God?
Do you believe you know what god wants? Why? What would be the result of everyone following your belief? What would happen to those who do not fit into your view of how the world should be? What would be an appropriate punishment for a transgression? Is this anyway to talk about or understand God?
"It is true, that which I have revealed to you; there is no God, no universe, no human race, no earthly life, no heaven, no hell. It is all a dream--a grotesque and foolish dream. Nothing exists but you. And you are but a thought--a vagrant thought, a useless thought, a homeless thought, wandering forlorn among the empty eternities!"
He vanished, and left me appalled; for I knew, and realized, that all he had said was true.
Mark Twain The Mysterious Stranger
Guru
God is the creation of man, any person can have a discussion concerning a creation of man and define what it is or should be.
The concept of god be loving and all inclusive. Not divisive, not a wedge, not based on fear or hate.
Just because I find your religion silly does not mean I am an atheist.
Save us both the time and refrain from clicking Reply if you are going to address me as a such.
There is no love in Fear.
Guru
Nobody is right about god(s) or a god named God. We do not even know -- honestly -- if such a deity exists. Those of us who claim to be "right" are simply fooling themselves.
"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty."
- Thomas Jefferson
Guru
Especially considering the number of versions of god.Originally Posted by Bow To The Robots
Just because I find your religion silly does not mean I am an atheist.
Save us both the time and refrain from clicking Reply if you are going to address me as a such.
There is no love in Fear.
Honestly, we do know.
"If their houses were on fire, thou wouldst run and help them; and wilt thou not help them when their souls are almost at the fire of hell?" (Richard Baxter)
OK, who's confused about God again? Is this thread from a troll who's trying to get the militant Atheists into a rant? Why don't we turn it into something useful. What's your idea of a perfect God? No need to devolve into an argument about who's god is best....just imagine a perfect god. If there was such a being, what would "it" be.
Let me go first. A perfect god would not have a gender. Does that make sense? I just don't think a perfect god would have any kind of sex. Does anyone understand "fiat"? That is the power to create things like the universe with a word. A perfect god would not make babies by having sex because such a being could just say the word and the whole created person would just appear out of thin air.
Val
Guru
I am going to address only one of your questions. I like it in particular as it shows that you think.
"fi·at (ft, -t, -ät, ft, -t)
n.
1. An arbitrary order or decree.
2. Authorization or sanction: government fiat."
Notice the use of the word 'arbitrary'? Meaning whimsical, capricious or ambiguous. In other words, that God will do what that God wants to do, and there are no set rules that the God must adhere to in making His decree or order. Which means that the God is not bound by the rules established by the man that the God created. What an Awesome God that must be. One that is free to do absolutely as He pleases,,, even on a whim.
"THOUGHT. The operation of the mind. No one can be punished for his mere thoughts however wicked they may be. Human laws cannot reach them, first, because they are unknown; and, secondly, unless made manifest by some action, they are not injurious to any one; but when they manifest themselves, then the act, which is the consequence, may be punished. Dig. 50 16, 225."
Well, that makes sense to me. That would be more of a secular definition of fiat but it can be extended to include creation when applied to a supreme being with ultimate power.
But now comes the next part of my imaginary "perfect god". Responsibility for the administration of "The Universe". Since we are sort of voting for the "perfect god", do you think "it" would survive an election?
Guru
The election on survival would not make a difference to that God, because the God having the necessary knowledge and power to create a universe that even those living within that universe are incapable of knowing all there is to know about that universe, would also be incapable of ousting Him from the office which He holds. Now why would such a God need an administrator to handle what He created?
"THOUGHT. The operation of the mind. No one can be punished for his mere thoughts however wicked they may be. Human laws cannot reach them, first, because they are unknown; and, secondly, unless made manifest by some action, they are not injurious to any one; but when they manifest themselves, then the act, which is the consequence, may be punished. Dig. 50 16, 225."
I agree that the created would not be able to oust a theoretical, all-powerful God. The point I'm seeking to make is about public opinion about the Administrator of the Universe. I'm not too concerned, at this point, about whether the Administrator of the Universe would delegate to lower admins, although it would be the prerogative of the Administrator of the Universe to do so.
Let's dig into the real meat of the subject: Order. If the Administrator of the Universe (AoU) was seeking to have an orderly Universe, one that could make sense for ongoing usage by generation after generation of created sub-beings, I posit that structure is required. I further posit that any structure that is imposed by the AoU would not suit every single freethinking sub-being. Such is the nature of freethinking, a.k.a. self-determination.
I know this stuff is pretty simple and some may find it boring but University professors will tell you that it's often useful to keep a discussion within the purely theoretical plane so that prejudice is eliminated.
BTW, eight thousand three hundred and fifty six posts? Incorporeal, I salute you.
Val
Last edited by Val1101; Oct 27 2011 at 08:18 PM. Reason: forgot the kudos
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