Atheists, would you be more willing to accept a God if he was not all powerful?

Question

I'm an Atheist. I've always found the idea of an all powerful and benevolent God to be somewhat ridiculous... No offense to anyone, but it's just something i find very hard to accept, mostly due to the state of things down here on earth.

But i was reflecting on this and i think if He weren't all powerful, i would at least be able to accept Him as a possibility.. I mean, there would still be zero proof for his existence, and i would likely still be an Atheist, but at least maybe i wouldn't find the whole concept so ridiculous.

I could at least understand the idea for a God who wages war with the forces of Evil, and so on... besides, it'd make for a heck of a better storyline. I mean c'mon, you'd have angels fighting demons and so on, it'd be rather exciting.

What do you think?

Steve h:

That's because I'm a weak atheist, or agnostic atheist. i don't know, but will live my life as if He does not exist. This was mostly a philosophical/psychological question, anyway.

Evans:
Well that's just it, if there was a war going on, then it would certainly explain the presence of evil in the world.

And i agree that our minds should be our own. But all i was saying was that i'd find the idea more appealing than an all powerful god, and more reasonable, too. But even if that were the opinion of most religious people today, you're right, i'd likely still be Atheist.

Infinity:
Heh. My thoughts exactly.

Mel:
ok, ignoring the ranting nature of your answer, i understand that yes, everyone has to find a way to relate to the world around them. some do so via God, some via other religions. Some do it via atheism. it's all just a way for us to relate to the world around us. The way i relate to the world around me is unique to me, just as your view is unique to you, with its own nuances and complexities, some similar to what others believe, some not. But it doesn't really matter who believes what. It's all just a way for each of us to see the world, to relate to it.

Answer 1

Yeah that would make more sense. There is a quote somewhere in a mythology book I read that says people have a really difficult time accepting a god that is flawless. That was why the Greeks loved their gods-they were capricious. I mean in a relationship, who loves someone because they're perfect? That would just make the other person feel insecure about their own imperfections.

Still, I would have a difficult time believing anything written in a book thousands of years ago that has been translated over and over again.

The storyline bit was glorious. An all out Lord of the Rings, God-style. That would be fantastic.

Answer 2

Well .. I'm kinda atheist too ..and i happen to know for a fact that people always needed to believe in a high supreme force known as their creator. We always needed protection .. which we first get from our mother and father ... and when we grow up . ... we just feel the need to believe in something.

I think it's important for some people to believe in this God ... or whatever ... Allah, Buddha and stuff.
About how powerful a God could be ... beats me ... i mean he should be some entity which we can seem to see , hear or feel. So for some of us it makes no sense to believe in it.

Anyways i don't think there is any harm done if we just open our mind and simply let this conception to a possibility.

Answer 3

you mean, if god was fallible?

hmmm... well if god was fallible... I can understand where you are coming from... perhaps a god that was a bit easier to identify with... because he makes mistakes too... Try looking into some of the pagan religions... you'll find that there are fallible gods in all of them... I'm not sure about them either... but I will consider the possibility that they exist... perhaps as facets of a power greater than them.... NOT THE CHRISTIAN GOD... but a greater power... I don't think that the greater power is omniscient... I don't even think that the greater power is AWARE... Does that make sense?

But yeah... I understand where you're coming from with the idea.

Answer 4

Why do you think that it's so bad down here on earth? It's because it's our fault. We're the sinners. God gave us the choice to love him or reject him, and humans rejected him. Ever since then, there's been sin. And everything is so messed up because WE'RE the ones messing it all up.
God IS all-powerful, and just cuz He's not fixing our problems doesn't mean that He isn't able. He is. But God wants to be our authority, and for that to happen, we have to come to Him, not vice versa. That's why God doesn't just butt in a fix all the evil things here on earth - He wants us to admit that we're wrong and admit that He is Lord. When that happens, things get better. It's harder, but the earth is in a better state.

Answer 5

Then he wouldn't be god, he'd be just another thing. The three main religions are offshoots of Zoroastrianism. No I don't think there's a god out there waging the war against evil. If that were true, then no one would be starving, no one would be in poverty, etc.

Even though there's no god, I find it cool to know that I can take care of myself in life. I think a lot of times, xtians seem to be stuck in this very dependent bubble where they just can't seem to think for themselves without their church and their bible. I'm not saying that faith is bad, but I think that your mind should belong to you as much as possible.

Answer 6

The fighting between God and Satan and his angels IS GOING ON. Read the Bible and you will find out. The problem is that both God and Satan are SPIRITUAL forces and you can't see them with your eyes.
" ...the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." Eph. 2:2

Even humans are called to fight against the satanic forces, but only followers of Jesus will succeed in this:
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the SPIRITUAL FORCES of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Eph. 6:11-13

Answer 7

There could never be a god whether its all powerful or otherwise, you are talking about a supernatural being that doesn't exist other than in religious people's mind.
You come across in your question more like an agnostic than an atheist.

Answer 8

I am proud of your honesty. I read your question and I can not understand how you can feel that way. How can you not believe that God is real. He made you and you breathe the vary air He made. You only ask these quesetions because you need Him and don't know it. Inside there is a longing for
Him. But in order to recieve you must first believe that He is
God ,that He loved this world so much He gave His only son Jesus to this world to redeem us by His death, grave, and resurrection. This gives us the opportunity to go before him and recieve salvation through his son Jesus Christ. Even though you can't believe now, you will, because every knee will bow and every tounge will confess He is Lord. God is hidden form those who don't believe . I wll not try proving His existance, but i will tell you that He loves you so much and all He reqires of you is youf faith in Him to believe that He is the most high God of everything. The evil that is in the earth also has it's purpose. We are born in sin and shappen iniquity. If I would have not been given the life He gave me in the begining not being saved , i really would not know how it feels to know Jesus in my life. God allows things to happen to show his glory in the earth. If you have sinned all your life , know that every person has a limit. You will come to the understanding that you can not keep living this way. You need dirrection. You need love. And He is love. If you undrestood who God really is you would be crying because of you question and your hardened heart towards Him . He only wanna love you. But i assure you the only way you can recieve
he is to believe in him . I did and Even though I can not see him He is so real. If you believe there is a devil why not believe there is aGod? The wars and hatred only happens because people don't have him in their lives. When you harden your heart towards God all kind of things happen to you. But this is a chioce. God will not force you to accept Him . He give the freedom to make our own decisions. It is my prayer that you come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
and that your soul be save. God can not be seen he must be revealed. And if you want him to be in your life you must first believe in Him. Seek Him and he will be found. He is calling you now. He loves you so much to allow you to ask this question to seek him. Don't feed your curiosity by asking people that feel the same way you feel. Find someone that has experienced what you want to feel. Out of the mouths of two or three witnessess let every word be established. Find a bible based church and seek where you can get real answers to your questions. Why not, you asked this question infront of all these diffrent personalities; why not ask God himself? And when you ask please wait for an answer. Ask Him with sincerity in your heart and be real about it. he knows you and i make mistakes and are not perfect. He also knows your heart. Put no trust in worldly things and try focusing on positivity. Seek HIM AND FIND HIM NOW . NO MORE QUESTIONS GET ON YOJUR KNEES AND REPENT FOR HE IS COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

The only way I would ever buy into the whole ridiculous philosophy is if a god thingie appeared....in daylight....in public...where ALL people could see and view him/her/it...and that god thingie actually spoke to everyone on earth at the sametime, with the same message.

I'd be the first to fall on my knees.

No worries, it's all fairytales, myths and legends.

Answer 10

well... maybe the idea of a supernatural being who isn't all-powerful would be a little easier to swallow, but i would still have alot of trouble with it, just because i tend to need scientific proof for whatever i believe in. i definitely understand what you're saying though! fun and exciting story, etc.