Is the idea of an Almighty God just a product of our conscious mind?

Question

Given there is evidence humanity has always had the desire to worship something (and animals do not, as far as I understand), where does this urge to worship a force more powerful than ourselves come from? Or is there real evidence to support the existence of a superior intelligence and power 'out there'?

Hey, troll-to-troll, I know about gnostics (sort-of), but what's pablum? Care to expand for all our benefit?

Answer 1

Typical gnostic pablum. Matter of fact I dealt with a former agnostic last night that continues to hold onto a variation of this.
(((pablum is a baby food - a food for minds that do not have discernment between wisdom from above and wise in the ways of man)))

Paul warns against this in 1Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Here in context:
1Corinthians 1:
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
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Gnosticism & Gnostic

A Gnostic is a label from late Latin and late Greek meaning one with "knowledge", a wise person, a person possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge of God and/or the spiritual.

A Gnostic was a person that belonged to certain pre Christian and semi Christian religious sects existent over a four hundred year period from approximately 150 B.C.E. until 250 A.D. with non standard and generally unaccepted variations of Judaism and later Judeo-Christian beliefs and writings.

Most Gnostic groups died off with the acceptance of the currently standard texts of Christianity. Certain Gnostic groups continued to exist in various forms after 250 A.D. in smaller and hidden numbers until basically dying off in the east with the advent and spread of Islam about 620 A.D. but, this early influence has continued in the west to this day.

One example is the Coptic Church which is now more than nineteen centuries old is based on Gnostic texts exists today with over 9 million “Copts” who pray and share communion in daily masses in thousands of Coptic Churches mostly in Egypt but throughout the world.

Modern Gnosticism, as practiced in the west uses every path possible to find a spiritual insight and knowledge about self and the world. There are many twentieth century belief and study systems that are used to attain spiritual enlightenment.

The most popular paths modern western Gnostics use are variations of Buddhism and New Age materials. M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled (1978) and Helen Schucman’s A Course in Miracles (1975) are considered, by some, two late twentieth century Gnostic approaches to study, knowledge, and spiritual attainment.
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Here is the best source I could find that dicusses 1st centuary and modern gosticism. Most gnostics do not accept there is one way to God Almighty and that is through Jesus Christ. Rather these mind sets seek spirituality through wisdom of men.

Answer 2

C S Lewis gave a good response to this sort of question:

"Human beings all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly they know that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the fundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and the universe we live in."

Lewis showed there are two clear evidences for God. The first is the universe he has made. The second is the Moral Law which he argues is a better bit of information because it is 'inside information'. One of the major objections many people have to the notion of God creating the universe is that things seem so cruel and unjust. But, Lewis asked, How do we get the idea of cruel and unjust in the first place? What is there in us that makes us aware of right and wrong? The default position for humans is to be religious. It takes materialistic living and/or secularist education to undermine that. Again, C S Lewis said:

"Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger; well, there is such a thikng as food. A ducking wants to swim; well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire; well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

Answer 3

It comes from Him.
Humans instinctively know that there is an Almighty God. An early Christian Philosopher once said that Man has a God shaped Blank with in him, and he will fill it with something. The Holy Spirit of God is constantly wooing this instinct in us, drawing us toward Almighty God.
Minister

Answer 4

Thank you, Sasi for quoting C.S Lewis, who was once an Atheist. His Spiritual works are awesome, as was his life story.

We our a product of our creator not only born to worship, born to love, to me God/love are one and the same, As for
evidence, it is seen and unseen, And felt with the heart, Not from the head. Blessings

Answer 5

That's right! See the God Spot of the Brain by Matthew Alper;
Why God won't go away by Andrew Newberg and books by Michael Persinger.

Answer 6

i think when ppl believe in god or any other object like god it because real to them.

Answer 7

We are chosen and Called by god to worship him for his glory.

That is why we are called his sheep...Sheep are stupid animals, and left to themselves can not care for themselves at all.....WE have no wild Lambs out there. Except for myself of course.

Answer 8

yes there is the bible itself it has comes from century to century to our times and it was built by god to last forever coz its god voices and it will not be deleted by whom any person? he told what will happen in the pass present and future and its in the bible

Answer 9

I have all the evidence I need.

Answer 10

What good would it do to tell you?