Why do people assume...?

Question

...that when someone mentions a god, they're talking about the god of the Christian bible?

There are many other gods out there, you know. Any one of them could be real, or none at all.

Answer 1

because when people say God, they refer to the bible-described God. if they say Allah, they refer to the "god" in the Islamic religion. if they said Serpent God, then you are an ancient Mayan. if you mean A god, then say "a god". God is a bible defined word. if you mean an "omniscient being" then just say that. but if you say God, without specification, then it will be inferred as the christian god.

Answer 2

It is funny Pangel and I were discussing that just recently. http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=AhWk4MYDibmJq2ZZveSAMHrd7BR.?show=zQoRCQXwaa

I think "He" just has a better spin doctor. What with Islam, Christians, Catholics, Jews, and all the other denominations the god of Abraham is just more well known (if not well liked).
Plus, consider 2 to 6 thousand years of (often violent) promotion. Love him or hate him, you know who he is.

It is, also, true that when you lump all the followers of the god of Abraham under one category you have included almost all of the mono-theists (assuming Catholics count as mono-theistic). Most other religions have pantheons (including Zoroastrianism on which monotheism is based).
Although many pantheons have a head god that is sometimes referred to as a single (Zeus for example), they do not try and claim that one of the gods is omniscient, omnipotent, AND beneficent (because that would be impossible by definition and take a lot of the variety out of belief).

Answer 3

I agree completely. Problem is, most people feel that what they believe is the only way to believe and have a hard time understanding that other people have beliefs other than their own. Truth is, if you went to a different part of the world, where Christianity isn't the main religion, the people would probably assume you were talking about whichever diety they believe in.

Answer 4

Good point. I try to remember that when I respond to people. But not given a context in their question, I usually assume a Christian god, because those seem to be the majority of deists here posting.

Answer 5

A thinking person doesn't assume anyone is talking about "The God". You are correct there are many gods out there but there is one who is "The God", and in America, usually it is assumed you are talking about "The God", the "I Am". Yes, there are lesser Gods and it depends on where you are located as to what people may assume. There is even a god of evil and it certainly is not "The God" of life, energy and righteousness. If you believe in another god other than the God of Life, go about your business and don't worry about what others assume.

Answer 6

Well, there aren't very much Single god religion ..... the god of the bible, the god of the Koran, the god of the Torah are perhaps the same god.

Answer 7

We assume it because it is usually the case, at least in my experience. If I ever assume incorrectly then I happily accept corrections. I agree entirely that the Christian god is no more or less valid than any other supernatural concept, but He certainly does win the popularity contest.

EDIT: Wow Tahys, you just illustrated the point of this question for me perfectly. See you said "hunk" and I immediately thought of Sean Connery.

Answer 8

It's probably because the Christian God is the most famous. It's like saying hunk and thinking Brad Pitt.

Answer 9

Because Yahweh is the only real / living god, etc etc. And we should believe them because the Bible says so. And we should believe the Bible because it's the word of Yahweh. And we know it's the word of Yahweh because it says it is.

PERFECTLY logical, aye?

Answer 10

Good point. I don't believe in that God.