What this famous Voltaire quote mean?..."If God does not exist, it would be necessary to invent him."

Answer 1

It possibly means that if one regards God as being a name or a label given to the source (or, my preferred term, the 'generating function') of everything we experience, then even if the word did not exist... let alone the actual entity, man, humanity, would find it a necessary thing to invent the word... I think...

Answer 2

If God does not exist, it would be necessary to invent him."

This famous quote is by Voltaire. It's meaning is still debated today. The way I (like to) see it, it is a sentence said in irony. Voltaire is saying, "Let us accept that God exists. But what if he didn't? Well, we would have to invent him, because he is necessary for the individual / society, for whatever reasons. So then, if he DIDN'T exist, we would actually be living exactly the same way, believing in a God that is not there." With this irony, Voltaire is trying to show that God does not exist. Perhaps Voltaire is saying that it does not matter whether God exists or not.
Other views exist, and especially since Voltaire DID believe in God, and wrote about religious tolerance, my view is quite likely not to be what Voltaire intended.So what DID Voltaire mean? A writing: The Three Impostors was written by an anonymous author. Voltaire found this a text that denied the existence of a divine being. He thought that it was an extremely dangerous work since it put into question the idea that criminals would be punished in the afterlife. This was an idea that he thought was very important for society.

He wrote the author a poem in 1768. In this poem, Voltaire develops the idea that the existence of God (or the belief therein) helps establish social order. He then goes on to boast of his own role in eliminating prejudice and injustice. And finally, Voltaire goes on to deride some of his enemies.

Here it is, in it's entirety. Hopefully, it will help bring to light Voltaire's meaning, and also give a glimpse of his personality and philosphy. -

Answer 3

Great quote by Voltaire and yes! Man created God.

Answer 4

His statement depicts the realization of mankind's need to believe in a higher force, a oneness for spiritual reasons.
It also says that man without belief is a tyrant and non-productive as far as creativity. Remember Voltaire wrote to enlighten people, they were all coming out of a very black dark whole of an era at that time. And all the what ifs he wrote about was to reactivate mankinds mind to think again, to dream, to become more aware of life, and live it out of the shadows of fear. That if in fact there is a G-D then use the powers he has given you with the free will and wake up into the light.

Answer 5

I think that Voltaire was saying, that life is so complex, so awesome, and ever changing, the interactions between the species , so perfect, the relationship of life to environment so interactive....That if there was not a real God, Mankind would have to invent one, just to be able to help comprehend life.

Is there a God...You must decide if you need an answer for life, or can you accept what is there, in all it's glory without the concept of a creator.

Answer 6

Man needs to believe there is a higher being that expects more of us than our baser instincts. Without the thought of some kind of God, the world would be anarchy as we each just lived for our own pleasure and for the moment. THe poor need to feel that there is a reward , some fairness, at least in eternity, Kings needed a Divine Right to call themselves worthy of a crown. We need an excuse for the good and bad in our lives that gives some reasonable accountability.

Answer 7

it's necessary to invent God because humans by nature need to believe in the comfort that there's another life after death, that someone more powerful than all humans will forgive our sins, will understand us, will protect us, and gives us happiness which we cannot find on Earth.

Answer 8

T%he same thing I found in another source - There seems to be within man an innate need for a god

Answer 9

very intriguing