Why does the existance of a god matter? - Page 3

jdanton · 12-22-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Environment Man

It matters because it is the truth. It is reality. It is real. It is logic to live by. It is science to die by. It is hope for the future in a paradigm that makes complete sense of the universe and existence. It explains why we are here, why we die and our purpose in the future.

Empty rhetoric. many words saying nothing.

jdanton · 12-22-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nroberts

I'll tell you why it matters to me.

First, trying to figure out why we are here I think has a lot to do with how we got here. Furthermore, trying to figure out where we are going likewise has a lot to do with how we got here.

Also, I think it has a lot to do with how best to live. How we got here, how we were "made", and how we were programmed has a lot to do with what will make us happy. Trying to get the most out of life has a lot to do with how that life came to be.

Furthermore, the question of God strikes me as particularly interesting because I frankly don't want there to be one. Every god I've ever met, with one possible exception, has been a total asshole. The God of the Christians is a personality that I don't particularly like. But at any rate, if there is one it's worth understanding...if for no other reasons than to pick sides.

But the God proposal actually makes sense of nothing. To much degree you have a strong point with, "Why does it matter," since to answer any of the really great questions you have to remove God from his thrown and cast him as an equal...or just plain lose the idea all together. Questions of morality, first causes, the nature of thought...etc...etc... God adds nothing to the answer, in fact he more often than not blocks our way to the truth.

It is for this later reason that I've concluded that either God does not exist, or he doesn't interfere. Well, or he's malevolent or ignorant and confused.

At an even more basic level, it is clear that God, should he exist, is an entity...a being....one among many. What is it about this being that dictates the title "God"? Is it power? Do we worship a being because it can squash us? Is it wisdom? Is it benevolence? Is it simple knowledge? Is it because it took the title? Is it a combination of some or all of these things? If a seemingly supernatural entity showed itself to you and said, "I am God..." what would your first question be? How would you decide if it was telling the truth or would you bother to find out?

I have to think in terms of "if I were God" and I always then think that if you built a house for the purpose of worshipping me, I'd keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and free from damage from any elements.

That would be the very least I could do.

He doesn't. If he's not going to get involved in our lives, I have to wonder why his existance matters.

I've been asked what I would do differently if I could relive my life. After much thought, I concluded I'd prefer not to have lived it at all. Moments of pleasure and joy are FAR outweighed by times of pain and stress. It's a very poor balance.

doctordog · 12-22-2007, 07:11 PM

All the people in this thread that get time off for Xmas should give the money back as it is a religious holiday. If they don't they are either believers and don't want to admit it or they are just hypocrites which is likely the case

CosmicRocker · 12-22-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

Ommmmmmmmmm.....

Om Mani Padme Hum

Buddhism doesn't need a God, for one to acheive Enlightenment.
God is lifeforce in their minds,
and there are many holy men who have acheived a just and moral life without prayer to an outside God.

djack · 12-22-2007, 10:55 PM

It matters if you think it matters. Otherwise it doesn't matter at all. You live and die. So far nobody came back so nobody knows what happens. If you think you know you're in denial due to your fear of death.

AlineaHeart · 12-22-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdanton

We are all here, but that doesn't prove how we got here.

If we were on an island, would it matter if we were there because a boat sank or a plane crashed?

There certainly seems to be no evidence that "God" gives a damn about or has any control of what happens here.

To make my point clear, what people BELIEVE is important as it impacts the way they live; usually trying to convince other to believe as they do, or forcing their beliefs on others via laws, if they can.

Out of beliefs has come some beautiful music, and a lot of killing in "his" name.

My question is: Why does it matter if the God people believe in actually exists or not?

My "god" is the universal mind. It matters in that it becomes the backbone of existence.

You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality. - Walt Disney

LeisureChrist · 12-23-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Environment Man

It matters because it is the truth. It is reality. It is real. It is logic to live by. It is science to die by. It is hope for the future in a paradigm that makes complete sense of the universe and existence. It explains why we are here, why we die and our purpose in the future.

If it makes complete sense of the universe, then please explain why so much advancement in so many fields has occurred, has even been possible, since the Bible. If the Bible really does tell the whole story, then how come it doesn't even explain how to make a clock? Or how to arrange crop rotation? Why doesn't the Bible explain radio waves? Or tell how to program a VCR?

LeisureChrist · 12-23-2007, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Environment Man

Logic dictates that there has to be one entity that always has been, always will be and is all powerful. That ends the chicken and egg, allows for the sentience and power to design and implement the Big Bang and rule in Heaven.

Why? Why does logic dictate this? I realize that your premise is that logic dictates there be on entity that is eternal and all-powerful, but what proof have you of this premise? Further, what proof do you have that such an entity must bear any resemblance to any human conception of God, much less the one to which you subscribe?

LeisureChrist · 12-23-2007, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctordog

All the people in this thread that get time off for Xmas should give the money back as it is a religious holiday. If they don't they are either believers and don't want to admit it or they are just hypocrites which is likely the case

I work every christmas. I take Hallowe'en off.

Lolli · 12-23-2007, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctordog

All the people in this thread that get time off for Xmas should give the money back as it is a religious holiday. If they don't they are either believers and don't want to admit it or they are just hypocrites which is likely the case

That logic makes absolutely no sense. If the company is closed, you really can't go in to work, now can you? It is also no longer a religious holiday and hasn't been for at least the last 20-30 years. It's a commercial holiday.

12-22-2007, 07:11 PM	#23 (permalink)
doctordog Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 107 My Mood: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	All the people in this thread that get time off for Xmas should give the money back as it is a religious holiday. If they don't they are either believers and don't want to admit it or they are just hypocrites which is likely the case
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12-22-2007, 10:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
djack Chairman of the Bored Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,187 My Mood: Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	It matters if you think it matters. Otherwise it doesn't matter at all. You live and die. So far nobody came back so nobody knows what happens. If you think you know you're in denial due to your fear of death. __________________ "Last words are for fools who haven't said enough." Karl Marx (last words)
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