Can god make a rock so heavy that he can not pick it up?

Answer 1

That question is a paradox. That is the same thing as saying that if a missile that is capable of destroying anything hits an indestructible fort, what would happen? The answer is that it can't because two things cannot be indestructible because that would defeat the purpose of the meaning of invincible. Either the missile would destroy the fort or the missile would not which would defeat the purpose of applying the term invincible to either of those cases.

Thus, since God is all-powerful, it would be a paradox if he made a rock too heavy to lift because then it would show that he is not all-powerful.

Answer 2

RE: First Answerer. WHAT? This is an ATHEIST'S question?? I thought it was just a conceptual puzzle for people to wonder at the absolute power of God.

The conundrum, be you atheistic or not, is that we have an all-powerful being who can do everything; now, what is it this being cannot do- make something so heavy he can't pick it up, or pick up a rock? It's like the question of "what happens when an irresistible force meets and immovable object?"

The trick is to figure out an answer that is NOT contradictory. For example, after thinking enough, one realizes something about the NATURE of the immovable object and irresistible force: WHY are they immovable and irresistible? Most people probably imagine them as something big and heavy and something very powerful and pushing, but the nature of the question suggests that perhaps there is something extraordinary about these things that allows them to BE immovable and irresistible.
They must be capable of moving THROUGH and being moved through. The irresistible force must be something like sound waves or gamma radiation-- able to either pass through things or transfter its energy with waves, so no object can possibly NOT be a medium that either transfers it or allows it to pass. The immovable object must be similarly immaterial; picture a screen through which everything can pass, or it being a holographic projection that no object or force can touch.

Now, try to think of a similar solution when considering the nature of God and any "limits" on things he can create. What are the properties of such a rock, and how can we allow both conditions of the question to be true?

Answer 3

Actually the answer is both yes and no. When you are in your shoes it is impossible to pick them up while you are in a standing position. But if you take them off and are outside of them you are able to pick them up and move them. God exists everywhere and every when. He is simultaneously everywhere inside the universe He created as well as out side of it. When you look at it from a position that He is inside the Universe He cannot move it because He cannot move what He is a part of, therefore He is powerful enough to create something that He cannot move. But at the same time He exists outside of the Universe and from out there He can move it, therefore He is powerful enough to move anything and everything that exists as well. So the answer, from God's point of view is both yes and no at the same time.

Answer 4

YOU can make a rock so heavy that you can not pick it up and so can an omnipotent entity that grants simple pleasure to those who do its bidding

Answer 5

No H cannot.
When He took the Jews out of Egypt and was giving them His Torah he lifted Mount Sinai...read the scriptures...over their heads to show His greatness.

Answer 6

No.
For if a rock was infinitely heavy, it would no longer be a rock.

Answer 7

This is a common atheist's argument, that I absolutely LOVE to disprove. Your assertion is based on a logical fallacy known as 'opposing pretenses' in which you try to disprove an argument or spur a dispute by claiming that a is b and c at the same time, even though b does not equal c.

Please, try harder next time. Thank you.

Answer 8

Of course not. The created is always subject to the will of the creator.

Answer 9

Did the big bang create God or God create the big bang?
The same question over and over again.

Answer 10

George Carlin imitations are getting old.