what would/should be the attributes of a being we would call 'God'?

Question

not any particular God, just _a_ God.

Answer 1

It must be worth our worship. A being that is not worth worshiping is no god. By worship I don't mean as the Christians do, I mean more like honor or respect. Essentially the same attributes you'd look for in a friend.

Obviously any god that has the morals of a mass murderer would not be worthy of any respect. Any god that would sentence people to an eternity of torment isn't worthy.

Any god that doesn't reply to prayer isn't worthy either because it either means it can't (because it has no power) or doesn't want to (because it's evil) or simply doesn't exist.

If you define a god as being omni anything, you run into too many paradoxes. The idea that there exists any all loving, all perfect, all knowing, all powerful being flies in the face of reality.

A basic assumption of monotheism, one that is felt so strongly that monotheists rarely find it necessary to speak aloud, is that this god is a perfect god. By perfect most monotheists believe that god is without beginning or end, without form, without equal, lacking in nothing, all-powerful, supremely good, untouched by passion or change. Most monotheists assume that god created the world or Cosmos and that he remains supremely aloof from his creation. Since that which is named is no longer god, as Aristides said, this god must remain essentially Unknowable. And what would be the point of worshiping an unknowable being? If one accepts a supremely transcendent god, a god who governs and sustains the vast Cosmos, it is either arrogant or insane to believe that that god could take notice of you, let alone speak directly with you.

Answer 2

If you mean god, as in Zeus, the mighty god, then it should have some superpowers. And, optionally, it might be immortal.

If you mean God as in God Almighty, then phew the possibilities... But one is for sure - it should have some supernatural attributes, whatever they might be. If it's not a little supernatural, then it will just turn out to be some Alien with some astonishing physical or technological abilities, which would not deserve the name "God" in a proper sense.

Answer 3

Selfless - would be offended by worship
Kind - would never threaten anyone
Empathetic - not dogmatic and narrow minded
Intelligent - not let anyone propose a nasty ignorant book is relevant to living a good life
Funny - amuses us by constant riddles and joke telling and master/mistress of satire
Confident - enough to mind own business and just wish the best for everyone else

Damn - sorry I have just described most humanists on the planet! Well as they say atheists believe in PEOPLE.

Answer 4

Be beyond all attributes.... the Nirakara and Nirguna Parabrahmam of the Sanatana Dharma, the Allah of Islam and the Yahovah of the jews.

Answer 5

The sum of all positive properties, where positive properties are: 1) based on pure attribution, rather than negation and 2) outside the accidental structure of the universe (i.e. essential qualities).

Answer 6

For me it contains two aspect as the yin yang philosophy emphasizes. So, all the good and bad are in the god concept, and without duality, but we human makes it clear and separated. infact on the god reality, maybe there is nothing as we say good and bad. But just beeing balance on its place so it doesnt bother.

Answer 7

"Lacking" in the negative aspects of the Ego.
Self-importance. Being insulted easily. Having to be right. Need to make others look small, to make onesself feel big. Can you think of any more?

Answer 8

Above all things.

Since the universe is large, very large. The Creator must be greater than His Creation itself, so to liken him to any of Creation is absurd.

Answer 9

The best possible. Should not be flawed. Should be a role model for children, not teaching hatred, but love instead.

Answer 10

Perfect, Holy, Separate, Loving, Just, Merciful....now who did I just describe?

Hugs, here's a chocolate chip cookie and tall glass of iced milk.