God?

[Atrus]

What does God mean to you. Is it just a word, or does it have real meaning. How would you define, describe or characterize God so that others would understand your interpretation?

Needless to say I am headed somewhere with this --- keep in mind that the moment we try to describe or define a thing we limit that thing to the boundaries of our understanding.

~A

[Titan]

God to me, is whatever force that influences certain people to live by a set of moral guidelines.

I don't care if a person prays to God, Allah, Buddah, Jehovah, etc...If they live a righteous lifestyle as a result of that worship, then more power to them.

[Serov]

God. what else is there to say?

[Atrus]

Titan... if I understand correctly what you mean by "righteous lifestyle" then acceptance, understanding, and tolerance are all captured in your simple response to what for many is a very complex and personal question. A most excellent response.

Serov... lol, I'm trying to determine if your response is just another as usual forum one liner of no significance -or- a demonstration of how intense meaning can be translated in only a few words. What I decided on was that your response is simply another way to ask my question. So yes, perhaps there is more to say.

I'd like to take a moment here and thank Weaver for posting this new section on religion. Not that I'm all that religious, but the subject does provide the opportunity for a greater understanding. In my personal search for truth and meaning I ask many questions, and this type of thread can be a vehicle to take us on a journey of discovery. So, don't be shy or in doubt of your beliefs, because when discussing subjects such as Religion or Politics we too often hold back our true feelings leading us to prejudice, hatred, and war.

I think I might have posted this in another thread somewhere, but it's worth mentioning again here --- In life there is only one thing of any real value we have to share, and that is the truth about what we think and how we feel. If you love someone make sure that they know, if you have strong beliefs share them with others. This is how we evolve.

The truth about our religion, the concept of GOD, our politics of survival... what could be of greater value to explore and share given our uncertain world?

~A

[Serov]

well then in order to flesh it out a bit more....

God gives humans a reason to live, a purpose if you may. If there were no God there would be no purpose to life. There would be no reason to be "nice", no reason to "play fair", no reason to do anything at all. If there is no God there is nothing to measure anything against - morals (right and wrong) or anything upon which to base truth. There needs to be a standard outside of ourselves on which truth needs to be based upon, else anything and everything is merely a personal preference no different then flavors of ice cream. In summary - God is purpose, moral compass, and truth.

[weaver]

I've been far too long off the Christian path to call myself a Christian. I am however, back on the road towards Christianity and I have been for some time. This is not say that Christianity in anyway should be the beginning of an answer to Atrus' question, but it does lead me in the path.

I am attempting to live a more Christ-like life. The precepts around most of the religion don't matter much to me. It's the way he taught those around him to lead his life, that I respect and want to take as for myself. Though my wife would disagree at the moment, I am still actively trying to pursue this even in the midst of my own personal turmoil.

This gets to the question - What is God.

I have no doubt in the existence of God. What God is - doesn't really matter. The fact that there is a being is good enough for me. Even if that being isn't an intelligent all knowing creature, but rather the framework and patchwork of a complex universe full of moving parts that make up an extended consciousness - This is still good enough for me.

I do though suspect that God is an engineer. A great architect. Willing to devote time and energy to setup wondrous systems and mechanics and being willing to set them off, like a large dominoe creation. To watch where the chips fall. I don't think God has an active hand in our world.. or any other world. I think he watches and observes his creation. Perhaps even love us. But unwilling to play a role.

This is not to say we cannot feel God or feel that God is with us - quite the opposite. This too is something he could have engineered well in advance of us. He sets paths up in his design that we can follow... and cross with others. It is UP TO US though to decide what paths to follow.

That is God to me.

[Atrus]

Originally Posted by weaver

...Even if that being isn't an intelligent all knowing creature, but rather the framework and patchwork of a complex universe full of moving parts that make up an extended consciousness - This is still good enough for me.

And good enough for me too. I've never subscribed to the notion that there's some omnipotent being out their pulling our strings, or answering our prayers. Though I do pray, just not to the God's of the many belief systems.

Unlike so many I don't see the conflict between science and religion as being a barrier to belief. The God's of religion are too many and too destructive, a single God of creation is my focus. And, what better source of creation could their be than the Universe itself.

Which is easier to believe, or more miraculous? That there's some being out there who sprinkles life about, and that in all this SPACE only Earth has been blessed with sentient life. Or, that 4.5 billion years ago a puddle of enzymes and amino acids washed up on some baron rocky shore, and today - here we are - in contemplation of God? That's heavy, and worthy of thought.

If Evolution is the way of things then could it not be argued that the Universe itself is the master creator - what we perceive as God? Now there's more to this than I'll go into right now, and it ties in with the other thread on Life Force. For now I'd like those who're following this discussion to consider that science and religion my be closer than you think. And, don't hesitate to jump in here with your views. All views are welcome, and in the end I think we'll conclude that ALL views have their place.

Shane... again, thanx for having the stones to put this topic up, and responding with honesty.

~A

[weaver]

bah, I'm just hoping to get a Jew, Christian, Muslim, and atheist all gabbing and arguing at one time, making a scene.



I have no problem with Religion and Science being bound together.

[Atrus]

lmao... well, there's always hope

[ANTICHRIST]

god is the religions god i guess you can say, i mean ppl have the god for pretty much any religions i mean i guess u can say anyting, i have a god for christian, i just have my name as ANTICHRIST for fun u know wat i mean

[Serov]

CS Lewis wrote..

"The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man, the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock. He is quite a kindly judge: if God should have a reasonable defense for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen. The trial may even end in God's acquittal. But the important thing is that Man is on the Bench and God in the Dock."

(the dock being where the accused sits in a courtroom)

[Solarmonk]

Im agnostic, i don't know what to think really because theres a lot of evidense to say that the 'big bang' created the Universe and therefore God can't exist but who says God didn't create the 'big bang'.
I find it all rather confusing and don't know waht to believe however, i dont think religion is a load of tosh but i dont follow it too closely either.

[norm-from-cheers]

What does God mean to you

Many things.

God is the evil created by an alienated society, the usurper of morality, and the antithesis of creativity. God is a cultural anachronism; a false idol to the neo-Luddites of society.

"God is evil" -Pierre Joesph-Proudhon (19th century French philosopher)

[norm-from-cheers]

Im agnostic, i don't know what to think really because theres a lot of evidense to say that the 'big bang' created the Universe

The big bang was a scientific theory originally created by a Catholic priest and heavily pushed by the Vatican, while the science community regarded it originally as a magical fabrication. It took them a decade to realize it was correct. The big bang is an example of the church doing something correct.