Theists like to say, rather perversely, that if you don't believe in any gods, then you must believe *yourself* to be a god. Quite apart from the blatantly self-refuting nature of such a claim, when did you ever see a non-believer claim to be a god? To the contrary - Non-believers (in my experience) recognise our true place in the universe, which the monstrous ego of theists will not allow them to accept. You only have to see the response of those who deny evolution, to understand this - "YOU may be descended from a monkey, but I'm not!".
2006-08-21 01:49:34 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Exactly. Theists love to say that, but it's a complete strawman argument. I've never heard an atheist say "I don't believe in god, and I am my own god", and even if a few do say it, it's definitely not typical, and most definitely not a part of standard atheism.
I HAVE heard people claim to speak for god, or claim that their opinions and beliefs must be true because they come from god. Needless to say, all of those people were theists. Almost all creationists suffer from this form of arrogance, as they assume that only something like a human being (that is, an intelligence) could be the cause of something as complex as the variety of life around us. Of course they'll say "but it wasn't a human being, it was god", but as long as the key point is that it could only have been done by an intelligent being, the creationist might as well be saying "I am God". In fact the universe is FAR too complex to have been created by an intelligence, and it is the ultimate arrogance to think otherwise.
2006-08-21 01:57:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A bloody good point you make. I also find non believers to be much more open minded and balanced individuals.
On a side note: I once met a guy who claimed to be God. And as far as I know maybe he was a God? Who am I to judge? Although the fact that he was holding 2 cans of 12% lager, sitting in a pool of his own pi$$ and had his boxers on the outside of his jeans; leads me to suspect he was just your average Friday night Londoner...
2006-08-21 08:58:21 · answer #2 · answered by the_big_v 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I like to see all humans as having the potential to be 'Gods', using that word simply for expressive purposes.(I could use others, such as ethereal beings, higher consciousnesses, etc, but I hear xtians get a bit upset at blasphemous remarks such as that...and I have to maintain a balance of naughty/nice within now, don't I? Chortle!)
2006-08-21 09:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by googlywotsit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well many Christians say that Jesus claimed himself as a god.
I have never heard that ridicules line that if you deny the existence of a Creator then you must think of your self as a god.
2006-08-21 09:01:09 · answer #4 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has a God. Human beings are limited creatures. We cannot sustain ourselves. We are dependent upon air to breathe and food to eat, neither of which we can produce ourselves. Therefore we by nature have to depend upon a source greater than ourselves for our very existance. Whatever we believe sustains us that will be our God. That is why they say there are no athiests in foxholes. Wait in life until you are facing death then see who you turn to to sustain you. I don't think anyone who is honest ever thinks they are their own god.
2006-08-21 09:02:18 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I view my role in the world much like I view the role of other living creatures. Unlike the beliefs of many Christians subscribe, I do not consider the earth "my domain" ... rather, I am one of many and we all share equally. Other animals were not created for me to control and consume ... we are all part of the ecostructure, each with its place and role.
2006-08-21 08:59:45 · answer #6 · answered by Arkangyle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's that guy at the Powell Street turnaround who claims that he's God and he will save us all. Does he count?
2006-08-21 08:56:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theists recognize that their place in the universe is miniscule and completely unimportant. That's one reason they stand in awe of a God that would condescend to love and save them.
2006-08-21 08:56:38 · answer #8 · answered by jewel_flower 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
see, this is where everyone getts the whol evolution thing wrong. We didn't decend from monkeys. Monkeys and people decended from a common primate ansestor.
2006-08-21 09:00:18 · answer #9 · answered by goose1077 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is totally propostorous, i'm the only God!!
2006-08-21 08:55:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋