just a question to stimulate thinking...if you had two universes or realities to choose from, and you could make reality one of the two, which would you choose;
a reality where we are our own god; truth, right and wrong are relative; love, beauty and grandeur are mere illusions caused by chemical reactions in the brain, no life after death, live life for the moment, if it feels good and doesn't hurt anyone, do it!
or
One God exists that created everything, is all powerful, all loving, perfect love, and perfect justice. God sets the ground rules for what is right and wrong, and truth is absolute. He is goodness personified. He requires worship and submitting to His Lordship (if He is creator of all things, anything less would be illogical and destructive, out of balance). For those who give up right to be their own god and follow Him, He promises the most fulfilling life here and forever in perfect bliss with Him/each other.
2006-12-02 01:13:59 · 16 answers · asked by Captain America 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm sure many of you will think, I just want the truth. I agree. I'm just asking which scenario is more attractive to you, assuming either is true.
2006-12-02 01:15:52 · update #1
Since this is a hypothetical, I give a thumbs up to all who accept my premise regardless as to whether I agree with you or not. I'm not looking for a rant.
2006-12-02 01:41:43 · update #2
I think the most interesting part of the question is "...For those who give up right to be their own god...".
I would not want to worship any god who diminishes me. Makes me less. It appears I start out on his level (or at least with the potential to be his level) and he wants to lower me. Make me a pet.
My question is: Why should I give up my own godhood for an insecure deity who acts like an abusive boyfriend?
2006-12-02 01:27:41 · answer #1 · answered by Thorn 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If I could pick one, and your definition of "all loving", "right and wrong", "truth" and all those other things were true, then I think having a God would be wonderful. However, this god has to grant me free will, otherwise I'd take option #1.
I would still not understand why I have to worship someone. For example, I don't worship my parents, yet without them I wouldn't exist. And I don't think I would be able agree to submit to "His Lordship" unless I was informed of the reasoning, so I was allowed to understand (and learn and grow!) why it was just!!!
I don't think I would ever blindly follow anything, even if it promised purity, bliss or what have you.
What is "perfect love"? What is "perfect justice"?
Well, the more I read the description, the more I talk myself out of it.
So I wouldn't choose either. I would never choose to be my "own god", that's just silly. Truth and wrong are relative, but there are extremes that any moral person should identify as one or the other. Just because the causeof love, beauty and grandeaur, is a chemical reaction, it doesn't make them less "real". It just explains how they are processed. ... knowing the chemical formula for sucrose, doesn't make it less yummy! No life after death sucks, but if you compare it to leading your life blindly accepting the word of very falable human beings and possibly missing a chance to learn something or making the world a better place, or mistakenly following your religious leaders into war.. And what is the alternative to "if it feels good and doesn't hurt anyone?" Should someone exclude themselves from the joy of holding a baby because it feels good and doesn't hurt anyone? If it feels good to build a home for Habitat for Hunanity, are you implying that is wrong?
Anyway, the "idea" of an loving God is great, and I can understand why its so soothing to people. However, the practice just doesn't match the reality.
2006-12-02 09:28:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think either universe is a literal possibility as described.
"truth, right and wrong are relative;"
I don't think that's possible. Truth is not relative. There are both subjective truths (I like apples), and objective truths (he's hallucinating), but not "relative" ones (a relationship between two things or people doesn't mean the truth is relative).
"love, beauty and grandeur are mere illusions caused by chemical reactions in the brain"
That doesn't make them illusions. Emotions still have influence, whatever their means of operation.
"One God exists that created everything, is all powerful"
Demonstrably impossible. Omnipotence is paradoxical by definition.
I'm more inclined towards the first universe though.
2006-12-02 09:23:56 · answer #3 · answered by Tanath 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't like the 'requires worship' part of the second option but I'll still go for the second option because I would love to have some life after death. Also, God promises some kind of justice for all people which is missing in the first.
So, the second one it is
2006-12-02 09:50:10 · answer #4 · answered by Mayur 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an agnostic, I don't think either would be necessary. To me, God is in the details. God is in kindness, in mercy, in compassion, in love. Whether that's chemical and feels good or it's a code by which God wants us to live, it doesn't matter to me. Heaven and God are first on earth and need to be...or else we propagate hate.
2006-12-02 09:21:09 · answer #5 · answered by shannonscorpio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darling, just because your idea of how things should be sounds good, does not make it true. There is no god. But let me just add on to you second option: where there is constant killing in his name, and different groups of people that believe in him go to war with each other.
Honestly, a world where I can shoot lightning from my butt, and lasers from my eyes, while having tea with leprechauns sounds great, but it is not real.
2006-12-02 09:20:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of the two, I'd choose the third: oblivion. "He requires worship and submitting to His Lordship" does not describe a genuine deity.
2006-12-02 09:15:56 · answer #7 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The second one is more attractive.
That is why it was made up...to attract people to it so they will be good little boys and girls and obey rules that keep the wealthy and powerful...wealthy and powerful.
2006-12-02 09:20:23 · answer #8 · answered by Captain Jack 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your first reality already exists and is preferred by many. Your second reality, too, already exists and is preferred by many. The trouble with the second... it's all in your head.
2006-12-02 09:21:27 · answer #9 · answered by darkangel 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Both of these are illusion.
Nonetheless, I get your point.
I would chose the first option- it's the world I live in now.
2006-12-02 09:38:06 · answer #10 · answered by B SIDE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋