General Discussions => Education => Philosophy => Topic started by: Nero on July 20, 2009, 02:23:59 PM Return to Full Version
Title: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Nero on July 20, 2009, 02:23:59 PM
Post by: Nero on July 20, 2009, 02:23:59 PM
If there were a god, but he or she bore no resemblance to any of the world's established religions would he or she accept the rituals and practices of other religions as attempts to communicate with him/her? Or be offended by them, and wish someone had gotten it right?
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 02:28:28 PM
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 02:28:28 PM
Interesting question! Imagine a god that set some parameters and then let the program run autonomously...like some cosmic, self-manipulating "game of life". That sort of god would have no idea what would happen and so may look at how things are going later.
I fear his mouse cursor would be hovering over "Quit Game and Try Again?" :)
I fear his mouse cursor would be hovering over "Quit Game and Try Again?" :)
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the relig
Post by: NicholeW. on July 20, 2009, 02:47:42 PM
Post by: NicholeW. on July 20, 2009, 02:47:42 PM
Well, for a few thousand years Mother has been called "he;" and She has been demeaned as being a witch or worse. :) She been declared "a vale of tears" and an abomination.
No apocalypse so far. Although it does begin to look as if we will bring it on ourselves with our Judeo-Xtian-based science and technology, materialism ueber alles society in the West.
Just a guess as She hasn't told me specifically, but I'd say She still has such people as part and parcel of Her body. :) Nothing escapes that net of jewels and nothing is left out.
No apocalypse so far. Although it does begin to look as if we will bring it on ourselves with our Judeo-Xtian-based science and technology, materialism ueber alles society in the West.
Just a guess as She hasn't told me specifically, but I'd say She still has such people as part and parcel of Her body. :) Nothing escapes that net of jewels and nothing is left out.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 20, 2009, 02:58:12 PM
Post by: lisagurl on July 20, 2009, 02:58:12 PM
What if there were religions which bore no resemblance to universal reality. He/she already assumes a belief.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:24:34 PM
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:24:34 PM
Well there are no religions about me. Maybe I'm god? And you're all naughty little imps in need of a gentle spanking! Now let's see some of those nice peaches...muwahaha :)
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:38:34 PM
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:38:34 PM
Quote from: Nichole on July 20, 2009, 03:36:26 PM
And how would your girlfriend/partner feel about you spanking those peaches, god? :laugh:
I'm not a jealous god, I can share. I'd hand her a spatula!
fwap...fwap...fwap... oooh giggle! fwap...fwap...fwap...
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the relig
Post by: NicholeW. on July 20, 2009, 03:40:42 PM
Post by: NicholeW. on July 20, 2009, 03:40:42 PM
Good god, god. Can't you do better than a spatula? In your all-knowinghood you should know that their are commercial ventures that provide so much better and more exotic means of discipline! :)
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:44:01 PM
Post by: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:44:01 PM
There are but I prefer the intimacy of the all natural, organic wood-on-buttock approach. Those new fangled spank-o-matics are blasphemy! Blasphemy, I say!
(At last, a form of blasphemy that isn't a victimless crime!)
(At last, a form of blasphemy that isn't a victimless crime!)
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the relig
Post by: NicholeW. on July 20, 2009, 03:51:08 PM
Post by: NicholeW. on July 20, 2009, 03:51:08 PM
Quote from: finewine on July 20, 2009, 03:44:01 PM
There are but I prefer the intimacy of the all natural, organic wood-on-buttock approach. Those new fangled spank-o-matics are blasphemy! Blasphemy, I say!
(At last, a form of blasphemy that isn't a victimless crime!)
Why didn't you indicate a wooden spatula, god? Darn, you really make it tough on someone to decide whether you know what you're about or not! :laugh: Brits!! :laugh:
Besides crops leave such nice lil welts on a peachy peach. :) That should be Brit enough even for a deity!! :)
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the relig
Post by: Teknoir on July 21, 2009, 01:47:41 AM
Post by: Teknoir on July 21, 2009, 01:47:41 AM
I'm not sure a god would do either.
If there is a god, I think they're laughing at us in the same way we laugh at a kitten chasing a laser pointer. We feel sort of bad for them when they bump into walls or fall off the sofa, but when it happens we're laughing too hard at how silly they're being to do anything about it.
Given that people who are over emotional never get "to the top" - I'd have to say that a god would have to be a pretty chill being. I think it'd have to be the first option out of the two. At least, that's what I'd prefer... I'd hate to spend an afterlife trapped with a clingy narcissist ;).
If there is a god, I think they're laughing at us in the same way we laugh at a kitten chasing a laser pointer. We feel sort of bad for them when they bump into walls or fall off the sofa, but when it happens we're laughing too hard at how silly they're being to do anything about it.
Given that people who are over emotional never get "to the top" - I'd have to say that a god would have to be a pretty chill being. I think it'd have to be the first option out of the two. At least, that's what I'd prefer... I'd hate to spend an afterlife trapped with a clingy narcissist ;).
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Lisbeth on July 21, 2009, 12:25:14 PM
Post by: Lisbeth on July 21, 2009, 12:25:14 PM
Quote from: Nero on July 20, 2009, 02:23:59 PM
If there were a god, but he or she bore no resemblance to any of the world's established religions would he or she accept the rituals and practices of other religions as attempts to communicate with him/her? Or be offended by them, and wish someone had gotten it right?
Isn't it a given that any god that fits the description of "transcendent" would be so far beyond our comprehension that our ideas about him/her/it have to be wrong? And would such a god even care what we did in worship?
Quote from: Nichole on July 20, 2009, 03:51:08 PM
Why didn't you indicate a wooden spatula, god?
I recommend wooden kitchen spoons, but be sure to wrap the handles in electrical tape so they don't break.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: tekla on July 21, 2009, 12:27:29 PM
Post by: tekla on July 21, 2009, 12:27:29 PM
And would such a god even care what we did in worship?
Perhaps they are insecure, it's lonely at the top after all.
Perhaps they are insecure, it's lonely at the top after all.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Julie Marie on July 21, 2009, 12:31:44 PM
Post by: Julie Marie on July 21, 2009, 12:31:44 PM
From my eyes, religion is man made, designed to create an environment suitable to those in power.
God can be so many things but I like to think God is love. I really don't see all that much love coming from people who condemn, criticize, ostracize, stigmatize or in any other way hurt their fellow human being.
Julie
God can be so many things but I like to think God is love. I really don't see all that much love coming from people who condemn, criticize, ostracize, stigmatize or in any other way hurt their fellow human being.
Julie
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: NicholeW. on July 21, 2009, 12:36:15 PM
Post by: NicholeW. on July 21, 2009, 12:36:15 PM
Quote from: Lisbeth on July 21, 2009, 12:25:14 PM
I recommend wooden kitchen spoons, but be sure to wrap the handles in electrical tape so they don't break.
I just knew you might well provide some good instruction in this regard, Lisbeth! :) Now we wait for Syne to post a comment as well! :laugh:
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 01:19:06 PM
Post by: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 01:19:06 PM
What if God speaks and people are not listening.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the relig
Post by: Janet_Girl on July 21, 2009, 01:46:52 PM
Post by: Janet_Girl on July 21, 2009, 01:46:52 PM
What if?.....
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teribennett.com%2Fgraphics%2Fdogisgodcover.jpg&hash=76630b60c1b93ba962fe16f385b39ccfdf07510d)
Then this why prayer doesn't work....
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.missionlifecenter.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2007%2F09%2Flarson_what_dogs_hear1.jpg&hash=7d7ea7c9d2e28659177f5d6caca40d4857554d07)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teribennett.com%2Fgraphics%2Fdogisgodcover.jpg&hash=76630b60c1b93ba962fe16f385b39ccfdf07510d)
Then this why prayer doesn't work....
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.missionlifecenter.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2007%2F09%2Flarson_what_dogs_hear1.jpg&hash=7d7ea7c9d2e28659177f5d6caca40d4857554d07)
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 01:49:23 PM
Post by: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 01:49:23 PM
Even in the Ancient Greek some philosopher thought that in case horses could think they would think that the God is a horse.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 02:41:02 PM
Post by: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 02:41:02 PM
QuoteWhat if God speaks and people are not listening.
What facts do you have that if there is a God it speaks? Plenty of people hear voices in their heads society puts them in a hospital.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 02:43:11 PM
Post by: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 02:43:11 PM
The God speaks was not to be taken literally
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: finewine on July 21, 2009, 02:45:44 PM
Post by: finewine on July 21, 2009, 02:45:44 PM
Quote from: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 02:41:02 PM
What facts do you have that if there is a God it speaks? Plenty of people hear voices in their heads society puts them in a hospital.
Good point, we should at least drill inside and have a listen. :)
"Voices again eh, Mrs Nelson? Righto - a short course of trepanning will do the trick!"
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 02:46:22 PM
Post by: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 02:46:22 PM
Quote from: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 02:43:11 PM
The God speaks was not to be taken literally
Then they are subjective which then only pertain to the individual.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Lisbeth on July 21, 2009, 07:20:05 PM
Post by: Lisbeth on July 21, 2009, 07:20:05 PM
Quote from: DarkLady on July 21, 2009, 01:19:06 PMWhat do you mean "what if?" People never listen.
What if God speaks and people are not listening.
Quote from: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 02:41:02 PMWhat facts do you have that if there is a god it doesn't speak? Just because you can't hear anything?
What facts do you have that if there is a God it speaks?
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 07:33:01 PM
Post by: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 07:33:01 PM
QuoteJust because you can't hear anything?
That is a good start. I can not see smell, taste or feel anything either. If there is a God that created us and it would want us to hear it then it would have made us with the ability. Otherwise I suspect nothing that is important to me is being said.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Lisbeth on July 22, 2009, 12:27:44 AM
Post by: Lisbeth on July 22, 2009, 12:27:44 AM
Quote from: lisagurl on July 21, 2009, 07:33:01 PM
If there is a God that created us and it would want us to hear it then it would have made us with the ability.
There are a large number of assumptions in that one statement.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 07:38:58 AM
Post by: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 07:38:58 AM
QuoteThere are a large number of assumptions in that one statement.
There is also a large number of assumptions declaring a God and then making it human like.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Lisbeth on July 22, 2009, 07:56:51 PM
Post by: Lisbeth on July 22, 2009, 07:56:51 PM
Quote from: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 07:38:58 AM
There is also a large number of assumptions declaring a God and then making it human like.
See my original post in this thread:
Quote from: Lisbeth on July 21, 2009, 12:25:14 PM
Isn't it a given that any god that fits the description of "transcendent" would be so far beyond our comprehension that our ideas about him/her/it have to be wrong?
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 08:37:39 PM
Post by: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 08:37:39 PM
Quotewould be so far beyond our comprehension
Not necessarily, Perhaps other dimensions or imagination can come up with some fantastic ideas. One thing that does look fishy is the non imaginative God especially one that talks to people. Then some people have voices in their heads but I never have been aware of any of those voices making a profound difference to my life.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Lisbeth on July 22, 2009, 09:02:21 PM
Post by: Lisbeth on July 22, 2009, 09:02:21 PM
Quote from: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 08:37:39 PM
Not necessarily,
Either you are saying you understand god, or you are just being contrary for contrariness' sake. In either case, I do not intend to listen.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 09:15:30 PM
Post by: lisagurl on July 22, 2009, 09:15:30 PM
No, I understand that people imagine things. God is a product of imagination, if it has any truth or not. It seems to comfort some and anger others. That makes it a subjective beliefs. What the future holds no one knows, but if it is infinite an answer will come sometime or maybe not related to time.
Title: Re: What if there were a god, but he/she bore no resemblance to any of the religions
Post by: Kayla on July 27, 2009, 05:40:04 AM
Post by: Kayla on July 27, 2009, 05:40:04 AM
Quote from: Nero on July 20, 2009, 02:23:59 PM
If there were a god, but he or she bore no resemblance to any of the world's established religions would he or she accept the rituals and practices of other religions as attempts to communicate with him/her? Or be offended by them, and wish someone had gotten it right?
The way I feel about god is that if there is a god, no person or organized religion can comprehend god or understand how god works. I feel this disqualifies all religions from being right, and then even if one could find out the truth about god, it won't help them in life, so I don't worry about it.