If God did not exist, would it be necessary to invent him?

Question

This was a statement (which I turned into a question) made by a famous intellectual. Can you tell me who he was?

Answer 1

Voltaire
"Si Dieu n'existait pas, il faudrait l'inventer"


http://humanities.uchicago.edu/homes/VSA/trois.imposteurs.html

More info on his life at:
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/Voltaire

Answer 2

If you ask the right person, the invention of "God" is precisely what has already happened. After all, if a God does not exist, then His worship is the product of an invention of the concept of God.

I respectfully dissent that the invention of God was the result of any natural need for a "savior figure." Rather, I view the invention of religion as a solution to a number of other problems humanity has conjured: the need to explain what we don't understand, the need for an authority upon which to base our moral and ethical rules, and the need to belong to a community of like-minded individuals.

Answer 3

First I thought is was Archer but could it be Voltaire?
Yes, it is necessary for mankind to invent any god. Because humans are very curious about the world we live in, so it is better to invent something we can live in. Plus it helps in keeping values in societies...except when some take it too extreme.

Answer 4

If "God" were never invented, it would have been impossible for one man to tell another man that he was condemned to horrific pain and suffering unless he and everyone else followed the first man's set of rules and law past down to him by "God" and therefore unquestionable in their power. So to answer the question. Yes, "God" was a necessary invention, for it is man's nature to rule over other men.

Answer 5

Since god doe not exist, and we have invented him, I would say it would be necessary to invent him. Did Nietzsche make that statement?

Answer 6

Maybe not invent God, more name God. Lots of us don't know how a car works, but we still have to have a word to explain the inexplicable/incomprehensible.

Answer 7

i'm so pleased to see sensible answers thus far. I don't know who said it, but I think God was invented to satisfy curiosity in the absence of hundreds of years of recorded scientific data, which hint at the non-existence of God, but maybe haven't fully proven it.

Answer 8

If you want to know God, all you have to do is read Hesiod then read the transition from pantheism to monotheism in Plato.

illusion → reality

that schema was the basis for all our sciences.
Was it necessary? no.

But looking back, what power we have claimed in sanctifying the "Truth"! Of course some people would evolve to accept it, and dominate by their religion of "Objective" reality.

Answer 9

Voltaire

Answer 10

Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet) also said he might disapprove of what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it- But in your case he would make an exception.*
Have you read his little book, Candide? It's worth a go.
*Sorry, that bit was Groucho Marx.

Answer 11

If a civilization did not invent God what would you see?Laws,rules,and orders.