Before you say "Check the Holy Bible" please realize that I've read it. I'm asking what YOUR definition of God is.
Since there will be many varying answers, what if anything does that say about the feasibility of any given religion getting it right? Is it important to get it right? Does your definition of God coincide with your religious teachings? Does it contradict some of them in any way? Are you honest enough to realize when it does?
Please avoid cutting and pasting, but if you must please keep it to a paragraph.
(I realize there is several questions there. Feel free to answer any, all or none of the extra questions, the Primary question is the most important.)
2007-11-27 00:31:40 · 12 answers · asked by Skalite 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you say "Something that doesn't exist", what is it that doesn't exist?
2007-11-27 00:36:27 · update #1
In the Asatru/Heathen path, we believe the gods are our literal ancestors. They are a different race of beings. They are not "all knowing" or all powerful. They are not infallible or even immortal in the sense that they can't be killed (read about Ragnarok). We celebrate, honor, and go to them as we do our other ancestors, thanking them for thier help in our lives.
On a PERSONAL level they are just peace. I have never been more at peace with myself and the world in general since the gods called me.
Hail the Gods
2007-11-27 01:06:23 · answer #1 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well, technically I'm an atheist because I view the gods as archetypal. I see them as forces in human nature which motivate and empower us.
As for religion, well, my view of the gods means everyone is merely worshiping a god that calls to their inner nature. That's why loving, kind people call god love. And why hateful, wretched people describe their god as jealous, judgmental and vengeful. They don't seem to realize they are worshiping themselves and calling it god...
And there is no "right" in my view. Nor are there "religious teachings." I find that moral and ethical teachings are much more important then those of religion.
Edit: (((Labgrrl))) Yeah, sorry about that. It's just my view of the situation. I can completely respect that other people have had personal experiences which would lead them to a different view on gods.
2007-11-27 00:39:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I believe that "God" is the sum total (and then some) of everything that it. Just as the cells in our bodies are individuals things, but are also create us in whole, so we create God. We are all Divine, and IMO our souls are the spark of the Divine within us. However, I'm also polytheistic. I believe there are deities, though they're not supreme beings; they're simply larger pieces of the Whole. (This includes all deities of every religion, including Christianity, "God" is too big for one religion, and way too much for our minds to comprehend at once.)
2007-11-27 11:43:07 · answer #3 · answered by Lupa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I see the idea of god as an outside supernatural force that has control of the universe. This is pretty much in line with what I was brought up with. I realize that other cultures and religions have very different ideas of it.
2007-11-27 00:47:32 · answer #4 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my celtic tradition, we are similar to the beliefs of the Asatruars in that we believe our gods are our literal ancestors, a different race of beings. We don't "worship" in the technical sense of the word. Ours is a symbiotic relationship with the deithe (gods, for lack of a better translation).
I don't think there is only one truth to this.. what matters is the effect it has on the adherent.
2007-11-27 01:30:31 · answer #5 · answered by Kallan 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
God is the undefinable. Ineffable.
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-11-27 00:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
2007-11-27 01:49:27 · answer #7 · answered by Miguel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the source .. energy ... light
our spiritual DNA
the part that is inherent in us all
my religion states ... there is a God , however you see that God personally
it is an individual thing , we arent told who or what God is
what matters is what God is to us
we call God the great spirit or loving Father or all that is love
I prefer great spirit personally
2007-11-27 00:37:07 · answer #8 · answered by ☮ Pangel ☮ 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
"God" is the default explanation to all of the things humanity hasn't figured out yet. It is continually shrinking with time and may perhaps go away altogether one day.
2007-11-27 00:36:40 · answer #9 · answered by Murazor 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Metaphorically, something as far removed from humanity as we are from apes.
Logically, a species possessing superior technology to our own.
Edit: Evil, Babe, yeah, it's insulting to those of us who know that our gods are gods, but at least you call yourself an atheist, and aren't one of those "polytheists" who claim gods are all in our minds. Obviously, the gods don't care to correct you so why should anyone who knows them?
2007-11-27 00:45:43 · answer #10 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋