On a strangely profound note:
Is it more important to belive in the possibilty of (a) God, or in the principles and ethics that that God teaches?
2006-12-13 16:12:28 · 13 answers · asked by The Lonely Skywolf 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
(if the principles, and moral codes, are true or not?)
2006-12-13 16:36:55 · update #1
... despite whether or not (the) God actually exists.
2006-12-13 16:37:35 · update #2
The question assumes a fact not in evidence: that there is such a thing as god. Absent such, neither belief would make sense.
2006-12-13 16:15:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you doubt the reality or even the possibility of a capital-G god, then you would also doubt this uncertain god's principles and ethics. In practice you cannot compare the importance of believing in a god as a 'real' entity to believing in the principles god espouses. Of course, many intelligent people subscribe to a god concept that they know is ludicrous, and justify their religious identification with a 'morality' argument. 'Whether or not capital-G god is real,' they say, 'the moral principles are worthy.' Their rational minds can rest while they allow lesser-minded followers to take the bait. But the truth is that these people are true believers somewhere inside; they are not questioning the obsolete morality exhibited in their books of truths; they are still trapped in a rigid, intolerant, fundamentalist belief-system with its unsatisfying conception of the divine.
2006-12-14 00:35:31 · answer #2 · answered by sardeeni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a delightfully sensible question!
I don't think either of these would be useful on its own. The possibility of god provides individuals with personal comfort. The principles and ethics that "god teaches" people provide for social stability. One cannot operate very well without the other.
2006-12-14 00:20:25 · answer #3 · answered by Evan P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An interesting question. Insomuch as we see that God's law always revolves primarily upon morality and ethics as well as the morality of motivation, we wonder what -is- the most important thing. Humanism seems very important, but without religion, it gets lost in making accommodations to those who wish to disrupt society. They are necessarily tied to together.
2006-12-14 00:16:49 · answer #4 · answered by BigPappa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is more important to believe in God - true belief will bring about the principles and ethics he teaches
2006-12-14 00:16:09 · answer #5 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read Leviticus and then tell me about the principles and ethics that that God teaches.
2006-12-14 00:29:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One would have to first believe in the possibility of God before venturing into believing the principles of God.
2006-12-14 00:15:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"...or in the principles and ethics that God teaches?"
You were just talking about the "possibility" of a God, then in the next part of your question, you confirm belief in that God.
Make up our minds.
2006-12-14 00:22:13 · answer #8 · answered by sneakers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you can't believe in God, then you can't believe he has taught us anything. If you are asking about the common morals that most religions teach, then yes, they are more important than belief in God
2006-12-14 00:14:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to know God , to understand and follow his teachings , otherwise you'll just be spurting words out of your mouth like so many people do , GOD this GOD that , but then they start talking trash about other people in general . You get what I mean ? .
2006-12-14 00:17:16 · answer #10 · answered by I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋