Why does "god" cause a knee jerk reaction in many people?

Question

In the minds of some people, you either believe in "god" with absolute certainty or you feel just as strongly that "god" could not possibly exist.

Are there people who forgo this forced choice; are their more options?

What are they?

Answer 1

There's lots of other choices. For one thing, capitalizing the word "God" implies monotheism: they are using it as a proper noun. But there is also polytheism (many gods and goddesses) and pantheism (all is god/goddess). And in addition to atheism (there is no god), there is agnosticism (I don't know if there is a god or not; and I don't think anyone does).

Then there are those who have a completely different definition of the term god altogether. For example, I use the term more as a symbol or metaphor representing something much more abstract and esoteric.

I am a Tarot reader, and the Tarot is based on the Kabalah, an ancient system of symbols created by the Hebrews. I recognize that all symbolism is an attempt to convey a truth that goes beyond language, and I also recognize that it goes beyond symbols as well.

The reality is probably more accurately explained as math and logic than as anything more organic. But we humans don't function well in a world gone too abstract. We need archetypes and symbols and images of various kinds to relate the divine to our own lives. So the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece or Rome, for example, provide images and stories around which we can relate to that which is real; they are not themselves the reality.

Answer 2

I think there's a bit more "gray" to it than that.

Personally; I would consider myself an "atheist leaning" agnostic. I really do not believe that the theory of God is a likely reality. However I know it cannot be fully disproven.

Then of course there's the people who are just entirely unsure. Who have the attitude that there's no possible way they can be sure of what "the truth" is, and are just waiting it out until they can find out.

I don't think you have to believe or disbelieve in God. In my opinion that's just an extremist's (on either side) point of view to brand everyone who doesn't think like they do.

Answer 3

Some believe that the Abrahamic "God" exists but consider him to be the tribal diety of a middle eastern culture and choose to worship the diety(s) of their own ancestral culture instead.

Shinto, Asatru, and Native American religions (to name a few) take this perspective.

The biblical commandment to "have no other gods before me" bears out the idea that Yahweh isn't the only game in town.

Answer 4

many people have the wrong concept of god
who could love a wrathfilled judgmental god?
it just isnt so
god is the living loving grace
god gives us to live
not death
not disaster [not judgemet]
love grace
the knee jerk ers have the wrong belief in a wrong god, they see the evil and say why does god let the little ones suffer /die etc
but fail to see its to allow us to help them ,god could take all the glory ,but lets us chose to help [or blame him] yet god is love , the living love sustaining us to live
many are called to help others , but how we chose to help is up to us , those who expect god to do it all need to get real , and see a solution , where others seek only reason to disbelieve
there is no blame [only credit ;for that we do]
there is no hate filled god [only the true living god of grace]

Answer 5

Perhaps the patellar tendon is a "god" sensing organ.

There are many shades of gray, we just don't usually see them in R&S. The voices on the extremes of the debate are generally the loudest.

Answer 6

They're called "agnostics".

Although some would assert that they're being "fence-sitters", or that they want to have it both ways -- they want to appear rational and educated without having to give up the dubious comfort of an Invisible Sky Daddy outright....

Answer 7

I agree that it's a little more fuzzy than that, but essentially if you believe that a god or gods exist then you're a theist, and if not then you're an atheist. We don't really need an 'undecided' category because 'undecided' means you're an atheist (i.e. you can't truthfully say that you believe a god exists).

Answer 8

i think you are little sad..

but the bible is a out dated man written collection of books...written and re written.. god did not create any jerk.. read about evolution to get your bolts tighten..

and first remove your sun glasses to get a perfect close view at this planet.

Answer 9

No forced choice. More options? Theistic evolution? that is about the only compromise I see, and I dont buy it.
I believe in god and creation, period.

Answer 10

Chose not to chose.
You don't have to pick a side.
You don't have to have an answer.
Explore your options until the day you die.
And don't be afraid to question it all.