If a conscious creator really existed, wouldn't it use more clear ways of communication with us?

Question

More obvious and current ways..
All ancient religious material looks so mythical..

Answer 1

Well yes but technically, all ancient material looks so mythical because it's so old. If a conscious creator used modern clear methods of communications, getting them believed would be hugely difficult - anyone who these days says they've had communications from "god" is ridiculed as a quack, simply because no-one is particularly willing to believe that modern human beings take dictation from this idea of an ancient deity. But if you find an ancient manuscript claiming to be the "word of a god", you at least know that it was written a shedload of centuries ago by people who "saw" gods everywhere, rather than nowhere, so it has, to our eyes, more historical and theological value than someone who says they saw a god in this day and age.

Don't get me wrong - I agree with your central premise: you'd think a simple phone call wouldn't be beyond the reach of an omnipotent creator-god, but hey, maybe its fingers are too big to punch in the right numbers.

Then again, if a conscious creator realy existed, I'm not so sure we'd like the people it talked to, or what it said. After all, George Bush said God told him to invade Iraq...

Wonder if that means the White House is now officially a cultist compound?

Answer 2

There's a difference between a Concious Creator and a Clear Communicator.

When you draw a picture, do you talk to it? Do you feel any need to interact with it after you've hung it on the wall? When you make a watch, do you ever give the watch any input, except the occasional adjustment? (Note that winding a watch does not do anything to explain to the watch why it is here or who its creator is or what the nature of things is.)

I don't think most relgious texts are communications from God, certainly they aren't direct communications. They were written by people, who likely didn't actually speak with God.

But you can't assume that just because God created things consciously, he also necessarily wants to communicate with us, answer our prayers, judge good and evil, etc. When you want God to do those things, you are making him more than simply a conscious creator.

Answer 3

Several thoughts occur.

First of all, according to my own religion, God cannot communicate with us directly anymore because we sinned and cut Him off. Completely direct communication will not be able to occur until after Christ comes back the second time.

As far as the myth component goes, I think you are forgetting the awesome power that myth holds over consciousness. Do you consider yourself scientifically and technologically "above" myth? Let me ask you this. Did you when you were little receive warnings from concerned teachers and cops about "blue star acid" with the stickers of stars and mickey mouse that supposedly contained acid? Myth. All of it.

Or what about the story of the girl with the beehive? Didn't fall for that one? Well, there are a hundred million other modern urban myths, and it is a solid bet that you have fallen for at least one in your lifetime and probably more.

Answer 4

That is based upon the assumption of a shared idea of what communication means.

People communicate to others in different ways: verbal, pictorial, symbolic, even suggestive/abstract/oblique. We can even communicate contradictory messages than what we actually mean, to conceal true feelings or to promote social harmony.

Even in the area of communicating via words/language, using the exact same words with different people results in a different message being communicated. Whereas one might hear a conversation as a suggestion, one hears it as an accusation or even an attack.

In addition, even if 'god' were to talk to us clearly on a daily basis, it would eventually erode our own sense of self, because in the event of any decision, we would turn to the 'authority' to find the answer instead of trying to become our own authority. A child cannot develop independence if it is constantly turning to the parent for advice or direction. The need to make our own decisions (even if they are the wrong ones) is what allows us to develop a sense of self seperate from our sustainers.

And if a parent doesn't want a child to make mistakes or deviations, they don't bother with creating them and use robots instead. Either a parent trusts and believes in the potential of their children/offspring (even when they make mistakes) or they don't.

Answer 5

There is no "if" about it. Our Creator does exist. He has and continues to strive to communicate with us but, as the bible teaches, we are the ones who are refusing to hear. Only as we humble ourselves before Him, recognizing our place as creatures and not gods. do we begin to hear His voice.

You think that people would pay attention to Him if He used some "modern" means?

There was an incident in Jesus' ministry where God the Father speaks audible out of heaven to Him. And guess what the people who were there said? "Oh, that must have been thunder!" "That must have been an angel or something!" You see, even if God did use some "modern" method, people would rationalize it away, dismissing it as something other than God Himself. It has to do with our stubborn rebellious hearts, not on God's reluctance to speak.

and, anyway, what are you suggesting? An MTV video or something?

But God has designated the "foolish of preaching" as His main way to communicate us in these days of grace. Why should God do something else?

God bless

Answer 6

He has set it up this way so we can look for him and try to find out who he is. It is hard for us to perceive anything from the spirit world. He wants us to search him out. You can definitely trust the Bible because the prophecies in it have come true unlike any other book.

Answer 7

How will science do it when it creates live in the next 500 years.

The theories of Plank, Heisenberg and others say you "influence" something just by observing it. Simply watching it changes it.

Answer 8

i like your question - have you ever considered the possibility of a conscious creator that does not exist (a being in a state of conscious nonexistence)

Answer 9

DSL is not available in all areas and neither are cell phones. You kind of have to listen to get a direct line and have faith the call will go through.

Answer 10

Nothing is more clear than your own existance that you don't even control. What other proof you need?