Is ones "personal relationship with god" the equivalent behavior to the kind of imaginary play a child might enguage in when enjoying a toy... as in personifing the character of a doll and then speaking for it?
It seems to me that this is exactly the behavior observable in those who claim god is a real being.
Your opinions, please...
2007-08-14 04:06:01 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
VERY true!
The way christians say "god is real" is the same thing that makes children say "santa is real!". We all know it isn't so.
And yet that child will die with full knowledge that santa is as real as mommy and daddy.
Same thing goes for christians. It's scary to face the fact that god is imaginary and for many, they just can't face reality. So they don't.
Thankfully, more and more children are growing up and growing out of the need for such childish fairy-tales.
2007-08-14 04:09:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 4⤋
No, but if you want to believe otherwise, feel free. But if what you said were true, then believing in God must somehow give an evolutionary benefit for those that do so and it's useless to try to change us since our "thoughts" are merely the byproduct of (uncontrollable) chemical reactions.
Typical (of some) atheist blather. We don't understand it, so let's ridicule it.
2007-08-14 11:26:44 · answer #2 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. When kids play and talk to toys and dolls, they are practicing what they learn from real life, for instance my daughter pretends that their dolls take other dolls to school, drive cars, cook, things like that. She is practicing what she sees around her, and working her own expectations and emotions. However, considering God is not an experience that can be captured by any of our senses (we don't see, smell, touch Him), it would be impossible to a child to express that in a play. The concept of God will come in a different way and accepted or not through one's intuition.
Therefore, what you say makes no sense.
Peace!
2007-08-14 11:18:31 · answer #3 · answered by Janet Reincarnated 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Good point, but I don't think it's quite that simple.
The belief in 'God' is largely due to the societal conditioning received all through life. It uses the childlike qualities of imagination, but nurtures these into a higher level of belief. That's why churches target youth, because it's far easier to trick them into believing.
A child can have fun believing in the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy, but religious belief is far stronger than the childish imaginations. Even relatively intelligent adults make important decisions based upon their beliefs. Hell, George W. invaded Iraq because of his beliefs. Imaginary play may be where it starts, but religion takes it to a whole different level.
2007-08-14 11:16:03 · answer #4 · answered by tgypoi 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
To some degree. But I think there's a lot of ignorance of Science involved as well. Many simply do not understand that a God is not necessary for most of the processes involved in nature. Their Gap theories do nothing to further the expirimentation and discovery, but I cannot say I blame them. Indoctrination is to blame. Unlike other imaginary friends, parents will agree to validity of their Gods, therefore extending the period of which a child will cling to its existence.
But you are right.
2007-08-14 11:20:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
When I discuss God with my fundamentalist friends, it sure seems like it. It's kind of funny sometimes. Maybe belief in God is the socially acceptable way to keep an imaginary friend into adulthood.
Only with God, you get a whole big book to prove your imaginary friend is real. Now that's cool.
.
2007-08-14 11:17:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe. it is in my opinion not probable it takes far more than imagination to hold on to something GOD has shown you when their is no humanly possible way it can happen . all though their is a child like aspect to our relationship with GOD.
2007-08-21 22:52:07 · answer #7 · answered by Arvel M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's only probable if you dont have any faith of any sort and if you believe yourself to be the divine source of everything....if you dont believe in anything greater than yourself, then anyone mentioning God (or any other faith for that matter) before you would come off as you describe
2007-08-14 12:08:02 · answer #8 · answered by Saiyanman3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Religion is an imaginary friend for weak "adults" who can't cope with the real world and can only function if Big Sky Father is watching out for them and keeping them safe from uncertainty.
2007-08-14 11:12:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
You know Randy I'd love to meet you and show you what a real forgiven sinner looks like. Also how we turn the other cheek and all that follows. God forgive me. I would smite thee.
2007-08-20 10:48:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, many of those who believe there is a God, do so without question, as God would have us do. That you are cynical is a choice, born of sadness, perhaps.
2007-08-22 01:37:44 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋