What are the exact criteria one would use in differentiating between "true" and "false" gods?

Question

Let's face it, if "the bible says so" is the only criteria in play, that's a pretty weak argument, particularly for those who don't happen to ascribe inerrancy to the text. So please, let's look at this logically:

1. Historicity? Northern European heathenry predates Judaism by several thousand years in the actual, *archeaological* record.
2. Power for good? The Norse godhs were looked to for fertility, prosperity, good harvests and luck for thousands of years . . . don't you think someone might have noticed, in all that time, if it wasn't working?
3. Devotion of believers? Thor in particular was held in great affection by the Folk.
4. Martyrs? Got 'em. Read up on the bloody conversion of Northern Europe sometime.
5. Creation myth? Yep, got one. No more *factual* than anyone else's, but it teaches our core cultural truths, which is what creation myths do.
6. Ability to change lives? Yep, does that.
7. Personal relationship? Direct spiritual gnosis counts, right?

I'm not seeing it.

*cough*

Errrrr . . . "cantstop929" . . . nice witlessing attempt, but no, I'm not "seeking" . . . I found my way home to the Folkway of my ancestors many years ago. I am merely protesting, and attempting to understand, the freedom people like YOU feel to denigrate my religion and my deities, that's all.

If you want to understand why I'm not interested in Middle Eastern sand cults, look at Vicarious Cynic's reply below yours. THAT'S what heathenry is to me. :-)

Answer 1

If it leaves you breathless with Awe - true.

Answer 2

The following are some signs and indications of false teachers or false Gods.

1. Uses flattery or ego stroking to obtain followers.
2. Insists on blind obediance and does not tolerate dissenting opinions.
3. Encourges the belief that there is nothing beyond the ideas and concepts that they teach.
4. Insists that their teaching is infallible.
5. Encourages the belief that by observing all the outer rules and rituals that followers will be automatically saved.
6. Engages in various types of physical, sexual, emotional or spiritual abuse.
7. Does not encourage self-examination in the followers, in other words, they do not want their followers to take the beam out of their own eye and definitely not the mote in the eye of the false teacher.

I'm sure there are more but that's what occurs to me at the moment. I will leave it to the reader to decide if one or more of these signs fits describes characteristics of one or more religion or teacher.

Answer 3

The Bible does not promote prejudice against people. However, its view of homosexual acts is clear. “You must not lie down with a male the same as you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable thing.”—Leviticus 18:22. Why does the Bible describe homosexual acts as unnatural and obscene? Because they involve sexual activity that was not intended by our Creator. Homosexual acts cannot produce offspring. The Bible compares homosexual activity to the sexual relations that rebellious angels, who came to be known as demons, had with women before the Deluge of Noah’s day. (Genesis 6:4; 19:4, 5; Jude 6, 7) God views both acts as unnatural. Likewise, while the Bible does not condemn those who struggle with homosexual tendencies, it in no way condones giving in to those tendencies, whether they are the result of genetics or they stem from some other source. (Romans 7:21-25; 1 Corinthians 9:27) Instead, the Bible offers practical assistance and encouragement to help individuals to win the fight against homosexual practices.

Answer 4

That's exactly why atheists don't believe in any gods; most atheists think exactly the way you do. Look at all the things you just listed. You seem to be looking for advantages or what a religion might have to offer you. However, advantages and disadvantages don't make any difference in reality. The true god, hypothetically, could force us all to read boring novels for the rest of eternity, but that doesn't make him any more or less true. The true god could grant us a state of perfect spiritual balance in a beautiful paradise, but that doesn't make him any more or less true.

Religion does have many advantages, but you seem to be looking for the truth, regardless of whatever any religion might claim. The truth may not necessarily have any advantages or disadvantages, so you can't mix the two together. Either you're looking for what religions have to offer, or you're solely seeking the truth without any sugar added.

All major world religions are all about faith. You don't need a pamphlet about why you should join a religion, nor do you need a scientist to prove God exists. 33% of the world population is Christian, and you can trust me that it's not just because their parents were Christian too. Every mature believer has found the evidence they need to believe whether it's an answer to a problem, a new hope, a miraculous recovery, an incredible sense of wonder and awe, etc. Every believer has somehow been touched by God in their lives so that they may believe. God is throwing bricks at everyone else, but they insist that they can do it on their own.

You may not like my answer, but that's what most believers have found in their lives... not an irresistible offer or scientific proof. Of course, there are many advantages, but you have to find faith before you can obtain these. You have to understand that you can't limit your sources of evidence to science. Science has its limitations (ie. "What is the purpose of life?"). You have to look at the world through different perspectives in order to fully understand it. However, some people think that science is the only path to truth.

Answer 5

There is no true and false God that is more of the same old thinking that kills people. All Gods are valid.Until they have served there purpose and are replaced with Gods that are more in tune with the nature of man and his journey.
Does the Metaphor touch the heart first or the brain first.
If it does not touch the part of the human phyce, that words cannot describe, then they no longer serve there purpose . If one God does that for even one person then that is still God.
I beleive that they are all the same God. We are all one with that God and that inner space that cannot be desribed with words only in our hearts that place all humans have in common is where he preaches.
All the other defintions are all folk because all humans are one folk when standing on the moon .

I would say next that the false God of economics filling the space that dancing around the fire used to fill. Filling that space with stuff and Crappy tv. Well that is the false God.

Answer 6

Why if its in the Bible?

Come on, lets think about it logically. Give me one chance to explain..

Is it because you were raised to believe this way?
You are being told from your priest, parents, friends that it is in the Bible, so it must be true.

But have you ever thought that same thing is said in other religions. Just like you, they are raised to believe word to word in their holy books.

Why Bible then? What makes it so authentic? lets see...it can't be that it was written by Jesus own hands. We all know it was not true.
Is it because Bible has not been edited many times? We all know this is not true too? There were different versions of Bible until it was put together as one.
Now did Jesus come back and said ," I don't want this to be included and I want this to be excluded." No, we all know that that you guys are still waiting for that day. So the editing was done by humans like you and me. Hmm, Humans....we are born of sin. one of the Doctrines of your religion hmmmm. So sinners compiled the Holy book together.
That is indeed authentic.

Answer 7

For now,there is no prove of false or true gods.I think people should just be free to believe which ever god they feel is true or want to believe and go on with life.

Answer 8

The lame argument most often trotted out is "there are more of us than you."

Which is not very compelling, given our species' history of mass erroneous beliefs such as believing the earth is flat, believing the sun revolves around the earth, etc.

Answer 9

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I John 4:1
King James Version

the criteria is this.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 7:17
King James Version

the criteria of being true is in their Doctrines

Try this websites i hope it will help you seek truth

Answer 10

To me the only criteria that matters is what makes sense to each of us individually.

Answer 11

A false god is a god that demands worship.
A true god does not care if you worship him or not - his Ego doesn't have to be powered by any worship.