How do we define 'God'?

Question

If I think about God, and the thought is in my mind, then the thought of God exists in my mind. If I see a stranger helping another stranger, and attribute this act of compassion to God, then, I have just seen God, and therefore God exists in this action. If I find a 20 dollar bill on a day when I REALLY needed it, then I can say that this fortuitous occurrence was a result of God’s grace. Therefore, God exists in this random fortunate event.

For those who believe in God could not and will not be convinced that God doesn’t exist in their mind, or in the kindness of others, or in a lucky situation. They can attribute everything to God, and no logical argument, no rational reason will deter them from believing. Certainly no Dawkin’s or Hitchen’s book will keep them from KNOWING in their minds that God exists. Are they deluded? Only those who attribute thought to the mind, kindness to the kind and luck to the lucky. Only those who don’t believe in God would call them deluded.

For a society as a whole, which way is a better way to live? Who’s to say which way is the ‘correct’ way; I’d say they’re just different. He must be defined, before he’s proved or disproved. So would you do you define God?

ibushido, if this is how you define god, a supernatural deity, thank you for your answer.

The belief that a thought in my head is a real thought, it exists in my mind and therefore exists...is that what you call delusional?

gjmb1960, I simply stated, that believers attribute compassion to god and others don't. MY opinions are not in this argument.

Answer 1

there isn't any delusion ; those that don't believe are filled with self; ego , that has a hunger and thirst never satisfied and never fulfilled; God is like love, you can't see it or touch it ; you see gestures of love, a hug; you don't know how or why it got there but sometimes it fills your being like no other ; it is the same with God ; you see his gestures of love for us, food, water, air ; atmosphere, protection our organs that work in harmony without us even thinking about it ; we have been provided for and protected by God.

Answer 2

We can not define God. we can only have limited preceptions (based on knowledge and historical interpretations) of God. this preception changes as we grow in understandings personally and societally. At past points human perceptions of God look nothing like they do now and someday they will look nothing like they do today.

"Ehyeh asher ehyeh" I am that I am, is a very clear statement that human's cannot and will not define God. (in other words GOD IS AS GOD IS regardless of how we define or preceive or don't define or preceive or what we do and don't attribute)

To the existence question. It is not possible to prove or disprove something that is transcendental without physical characteristics in physical terms. So the question is really moot.

It is like attempting to prove or disprove love or hope or sadness exist. God like anything transcendental, such as emotions, has a valid existence because of perception (which as I said is always changing).

Answer 3

A character from religious fiction.

We imagine lots of things that we know don't really exist. Compassion is a trait which has great survival value for the propogation of our genes. Fortuitous events must *necessarily* happen just by chance, just the same as unfortunate events do, because the alternative would be that some force is *preventing* chance fortuitous events from happening, and there's no reason to suppose that that is the case.

Answer 4

Don't worry about the unbelievers. I think they will change their opinion several time before they find an answer that works for them. God is what ever you think he is. I think we are here to learn and there is no hell. We wont be punished for mistakes we have made along the way. That is the only way most people learn. It's not our place to tell them they are wrong.

Answer 5

A being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions.
The force, effect, or a manifestation or aspect of this being.
A being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by a people, especially a male deity thought to control some part of nature or reality.
An image of a supernatural being; an idol.
One that is worshiped, idealized, or followed: Money was their god.
A very handsome man.
A powerful ruler or despot.
[Middle English, from Old English.]

Answer 6

God do exist, by praying and studying the Bible Daily. God is not the God can give you Luck in the future.
In your copy of the Bible Read Romans 1: 20

To these answers can be added the words of the Bible writer Paul: "[God's] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship."—Romans 1:20.

God name is Jehovah.

Answer 7

I think a belief in God begins with a belief in yourself. I do not believe in original sin. We are given free will in this world to do good or evil. For me I found a return to love as a pathway to God. Fortunately, my faith does not require me to believe in God, just to love God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my might. Blessedly enough that it what a woman seeks from a man as well.

Answer 8

Does God exist? I find it interesting that so much attention is given to this debate. The latest surveys tell us that over 90% of people in the world today believe in the existence of God or some higher power. Yet, somehow the responsibility is placed on those who believe God does exist to somehow prove that He really does exist. To me, I think it should be the other way around.

However, the existence of God cannot be proven or disproved. The Bible even says that we must accept by faith the fact that God exists, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). If God so desired, He could simply appear and prove to the whole world that He exists. But if He did that, there would be no need for faith. "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'” (John 20:29).

That does not mean, however, that there is not evidence of God’s existence. The Bible declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4). Looking at the stars, understanding the vastness of the universe, observing the wonders of nature, seeing the beauty of a sunset – all of these things point to a Creator God. If these were not enough, there is also evidence of God in our own hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…” There is something deep down in our beings that recognizes that there is something beyond this life and someone beyond this world. We can deny this knowledge intellectually, but God’s presence in us and through us is still there. Despite all of this, the Bible warns us that some will still deny God’s existence, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1). Since over 98% of people throughout history, in all cultures, in all civilizations, on all continents believe in the existence of some kind of God – there must be something (or someone) causing this belief.

In addition to the Biblical arguments for God’s existence, there are logical arguments. First, there is the ontological argument. The most popular form of the ontological argument basically uses the concept of God to prove God’s existence. It begins with the definition of God as “that than which no greater can be conceived.” It is then argued that to exist is greater than to not exist, and therefore the greatest conceivable being must exist. If God did not exist then God would not be the greatest conceivable being - but that would contradict God's very definition. A second is the teleological argument. The teleological argument is that since the universe displays such an amazing design, there must have been a Divine designer. For example, if earth were even a few hundred miles closer or further away from the sun, it would not be capable of supporting much of the life it currently does. If the elements in our atmosphere were even a few percentage points different, every living thing on earth would die. The odds of a single protein molecule forming by chance is 1 in 10243 (that is a 10 followed by 243 0’s). A single cell is comprised of millions of protein molecules.

A third logical argument for God’s existence is called the cosmological argument. Every effect must have a cause. This universe and everything in it is an effect. There must be something that caused everything to come into existence. Ultimately, there must be something “un-caused” in order to cause everything else to come into existence. That “un-caused” something is God. A fourth argument is known as the moral argument. Every culture throughout history has had some form of law. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong. Murder, lying, stealing, and immorality are almost universally rejected. Where did this sense of right and wrong come from if not from a holy God?

Despite all of this, the Bible tells us that people will reject the clear and undeniable knowledge of God and instead believe a lie. Romans 1:25 declares, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.” The Bible also proclaims that people are without excuse for not believing in God, “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

People claim to not believe in God because it is “not scientific” or “because there is no proof.” The true reason is that once people admit that there is a God, they also must realize that they are responsible to God and in need of forgiveness from God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). If God exists, then we are accountable for our actions to Him. If God does not exist, then we can do whatever we want without having to worry about God judging us. I believe that is why evolution is so strongly clung to by many in our society - to give people an alternative to believing in a Creator God. God exists and ultimately everyone knows that He exists. The very fact that some attempt so aggressively to disprove His existence is in fact an argument for His existence.

Allow me one last argument for God’s existence. How do I know God exists? I know God exists because I speak to Him every day. I do not audibly hear Him speaking back to me, but I sense His presence, I feel His leading, I know His love, I desire His grace. Things have occurred in my life that have no other possible explanation other than God. God has so miraculously saved me and changed my life that I cannot help but to acknowledge and praise His existence. None of these arguments in and of themselves can persuade anyone who refuses to acknowledge what is so plainly clear. In the end, God’s existence must be accepted by faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith in God is not a blind leap into the dark, it is safe step into a well-lit room where 90% of people are already standing.

Answer 9

Whatever is pure,true,honorable,right,lovely,of good repute,excellent,Worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on theses things.

Answer 10

Are you trying to use your delusions to validate the existence of a supernatural deity?