GOD is...

catefrances
catefrances Posts: 29,003
edited December 2007 in A Moving Train
do you think that the problem with the concept of God is that Man tries to anthropomorphise him, so what were left with, is the thought of a bearded old man sitting in the clouds? would it be wiser to think of God as a force without any sort of physical feature? or is this already what people think?
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
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Comments

  • farfromglorified
    farfromglorified Posts: 5,700
    The problem with the "concept of God" is that it's not a concept at all. It's an anti-concept.
  • harmless_little_f***
    harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    I think you are largely correct, yes...
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • surferdude
    surferdude Posts: 2,057
    catefrances wrote:
    do you think that the problem with the concept of God is ........
    I didn't know there was a problem with God or the concept of God. Please elaborate on this problem.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • Strangest Tribe
    Strangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    a Construct

    also the ruler of another planet

    A vehicle for someone's agenda

    A reason for the season
    the Minions
  • Uncle Leo
    Uncle Leo Posts: 1,059
    catefrances wrote:
    do you think that the problem with the concept of God is that Man tries to anthropomorphise him, so what were left with, is the thought of a bearded old man sitting in the clouds? would it be wiser to think of God as a force without any sort of physical feature? or is this already what people think?

    It seems that you may be questioning our labeling of god as "he", "him" etc. Sorry, but God's a male. Kidding...

    I could see it as a problem in that organized religion paints god as fairly vindictive and it is easier to conceptualize that if god is personified. As for the role of god as a "male"...I really don't know how much that has contributed historically to gender roles and the treatment / equality of women in various cultures and religions. It may be a chicken and egg thing where the gender roles, etc. led to the belief in god as a male, as opposed to the male god meaning women should shut up and stay home.
    I cannot come up with a new sig till I get this egg off my face.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    catefrances wrote:
    do you think that the problem with the concept of God is that Man tries to anthropomorphise him, so what were left with, is the thought of a bearded old man sitting in the clouds? would it be wiser to think of God as a force without any sort of physical feature? or is this already what people think?

    I already try to avoid calling God anything other than God. Sometimes I slip, but I'm kind of uncomfortable calling God "he".
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • SoonForgotten2
    SoonForgotten2 Posts: 2,245
    The thing I always wonder is, if there is a God, why do humans by and large think that this God is something we, as human beings are even capable of comprehending?

    Surely something so powerful would be beyond simple human comprehension, right?
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmgphotos/sets/72157600802942672/">My Pearl Jam Photos</a>

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  • lalalalaaaaaaaa
    lalalalaaaaaaaa Posts: 2,445
    catefrances wrote:
    do you think that the problem with the concept of God is that Man tries to anthropomorphise him, so what were left with, is the thought of a bearded old man sitting in the clouds? would it be wiser to think of God as a force without any sort of physical feature? or is this already what people think?
    Why do you think there's a problem w/ the concept of God?
  • genie
    genie Posts: 2,222
    what i wonder about is why is there so much talk about god?

    come'on people let's talk about tits and ass :D
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    catefrances wrote:
    do you think that the problem with the concept of God is that Man tries to anthropomorphise him, so what were left with, is the thought of a bearded old man sitting in the clouds? would it be wiser to think of God as a force without any sort of physical feature? or is this already what people think?
    ...
    Man created God in his own image. That way, Man can place all of his (Man's) shortcomings on God's shoulders.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • macgyver06
    macgyver06 Posts: 2,500
    how come everyone thinks everything is for them...when in actuality..everything is for me
  • Danimal
    Danimal Posts: 2,000
    SoonForgotten2 wrote:
    The thing I always wonder is, if there is a God, why do humans by and large think that this God is something we, as human beings are even capable of comprehending?

    Surely something so powerful would be beyond simple human comprehension, right?

    You don't know? Because some people think they are the fucking smartest thing in the universe.
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    macgyver06 wrote:
    how come everyone thinks everything is for them...when in actuality..everything is for me
    ...
    That is the basis of religion. That God belongs to them... those who believe.
    The God concept was create by Neolithic Man to explain unknowns in the Natural world. The movement of the Sun, moon, weather...
    Man invents religion and God is the main character.
    ...
    I believe in God.. but nothing like the sometimes petty asshole that our Holy Scriptures portray Him as. The way i see it... life is the image of God we possess. The same life that is in the dogs and cats and ants and bees and flowers and grass. God belongs to all life... not just man's... and definiately not man's religions.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • ClimberInOz
    ClimberInOz Posts: 216
    catefrances wrote:
    do you think that the problem with the concept of God is that Man tries to anthropomorphise him, so what were left with, is the thought of a bearded old man sitting in the clouds? would it be wiser to think of God as a force without any sort of physical feature? or is this already what people think?

    The anthropomorphising of, and consequent 'supernatural' status of god is part of why I am an atheist. That being said, there are many other reasons as well.

    But if you take away these things, and call god 'a force', is that any different from saying that there are causes of existence within the laws of nature that we just don't understand yet? In other words, without the anthropomorpic characteristics and supernatural status, does god cease being god and become simply an undiscovered natural cause.

    This type of non-supernatural god was what Einstein believed in. God became just another word for the mystery of nature.
  • Whizbang
    Whizbang Posts: 1,314
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    That is the basis of religion. That God belongs to them... those who believe.
    The God concept was create by Neolithic Man to explain unknowns in the Natural world. The movement of the Sun, moon, weather...
    Man invents religion and God is the main character.
    ...
    I believe in God.. but nothing like the sometimes petty asshole that our Holy Scriptures portray Him as. The way i see it... life is the image of God we possess. The same life that is in the dogs and cats and ants and bees and flowers and grass. God belongs to all life... not just man's... and definiately not man's religions.

    damn, I've never really been able to articulate my thoughts on God. who knows why? perhaps I'm sometimes surrounded by the petty and close-minded that I prefer to keep my views to myself. Ultimately, my views matter to me. I make the best of the life I possess - treat myself well, be good to family, friends & less fortunate, take care of the Earth and it's creatures - which is all I believe He'd want me to do.
    believe it or not, we don't "need" anything. that is only the spoiled brat in us trying to fill some temporary solution to an emptyness that does not exist.

    I have eaten so much gold I crapped excellence - drtyfrnk29

    Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    Whizbang wrote:
    damn, I've never really been able to articulate my thoughts on God. who knows why? perhaps I'm sometimes surrounded by the petty and close-minded that I prefer to keep my views to myself. Ultimately, my views matter to me. I make the best of the life I possess - treat myself well, be good to family, friends & less fortunate, take care of the Earth and it's creatures - which is all I believe He'd want me to do.
    ...
    Same here. Just because I believe this... doesn't mean i expect antone else to. It is personal to me.. and I will have to sort it out with God when the time comes.
    I don't expect to shake anyone from their religion, either. It's theirs and none of my business. I just happen to choose the path towards God that isn't confined by religion's dogma.
    While i'm here... I'm like you. I'm doing my best... even thought I often fail. I don't credit nor blame God for either. I am good towards others... for the most part... and care about the planet her inhabatants. also like you... I'm hoping that living this life is good enough... I would be extremely disappointed in God if He does indeed, turn out to be the petty, narcisstic, judgemental and angry vengeful asshole He is made out to be in our texts.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    surferdude wrote:
    I didn't know there was a problem with God or the concept of God. Please elaborate on this problem.

    oh i didnt mean a problem that needs to be solved. i was just musing, as i do, and wondering whether if mankind thought of God as just a force rather than something requiring a anthropomorphic form.
    as many of you now i am an atheist, but i can grasp the 'concept' of God as a force. that Nature may well be that force. could it be mankind's own arrogance that leads us to think of God as human?
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • pjfan1223
    pjfan1223 Posts: 19
    God is a supernatural, all knowing, all creative energy force, in which it can manifest itself in many different ways...mostly by altering it's vibratory rate...hell is real...it exists on earth...God has to be vengeful for those who choose the path of no accountability...
    Give me Pearl Jam or give me death!
  • pjfan1223
    pjfan1223 Posts: 19
    Some people think the whole concept of God has to be a dumb loving God, here to serve their inflated egos...it is actually, quite the contrary...if you were the creatED, & not the creatOR, shouldn't you not be asking "What can God do for Me?", yet "What can I do for God?"...
    Give me Pearl Jam or give me death!
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    pjfan1223 wrote:
    God is a supernatural, all knowing, all creative energy force, in which it can manifest itself in many different ways...mostly by altering it's vibratory rate...hell is real...it exists on earth...God has to be vengeful for those who choose the path of no accountability...
    ...
    Why does God have to be vengeful?
    Sure, If a person chooses to do horrible things here on Earth, shouldn't be made to pay by the laws we make down here?
    Why do we need to be judged after we die? We should pay for our wrong doings here... where we commit them.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!

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