Lets put this to rest. God is not/cannot be all powerful, that would be a logical impossibility?

Question

Some things are just impossible. They cannot logically exist.

For example the old "triangle/square" analogy, where someone says, if god can do anything, can he make square triangles?

This is a stupid question, of course not. They are impossible!

There is no way to make a square triangle; it’s a contradiction in terms. Squares and triangles are mutually exclusive! Not even "god" could reconcile them.

It is impossible to be all powerful, because some things simply cannot be done.

Answer 1

You need to have proof in order to believe. I simply need faith.

Answer 2

Perhaps not convincing to you, but not an illogical impossibility. Avicenna/Ibn Sina, one of the greatest minds in history, offers an easy to understand logical mathematical proof of a unique uncreated creator. Something exists that is not a composite of anything and from which the universe, a composite came. However, he doesn't explain what it is or what it means, but it does fit with the big bang.

The proof itself rests on four principles, the first of which is the assertion that something exists. Even if the world is an illusion, an illusory self, contemplating an illusory universe, is still something that exists.

Further, everything that exists does so because of some cause, and the "principle of sufficient reason" states that every phenomenon is either caused by something external or caused by itself, but never both. Everything that exists has to have a reason for existing.

Working from these principles, there is a minimum criteria for Godhood, that is, God must be unique, must be self-caused, as well as being the cause of everything else. Every existing phenomena is the end effect of a causal chain of possibly infinite length starting with God.

All known physical phenomena are composites, except possibly the elementary particles of quantum mechanics. If A is a composite of B, then B is composite, and furthermore a composite cannot be a cause of one of its components because it could not exist without all its components in place.

We can infer that the universe is a composite of all phenomena. The universe itself, then, cannot bring any of its own components into being, as it could not have existed before the existence of the components.

Then, the universe could similarly not be self-caused, since it is caused by the aggregation of its components, and so there must be some object, G, that causes the universe but is not the universe itself. G must then be universal because it is a cause, directly or indirectly of every component in the universe.

G is the unique uncaused phenomena, because, as the cause of everything, it can't be caused by something else.

The strength of this proof is that each assumption it rests on is empirically grounded and is far more reasonable than its negation.

Logical proof however won't prove anything to those of us whose inner eye is blind. We have to desire and be driven to understand with the same intensity as we want good sex.

Answer 3

Its about belief. I could argue both for and against square triangles. Instead of trying to solve something that is scientific, why not do a small good deed. Smile at a stranger, or call someone whos lonely. That is power.

Answer 4

You're talking absolutes and you're right-some things are impossible. God is another story. You cant compare God to anything human. Face it-if you look at the bumble bee and think of how it's constructed, it shouldnt be able to fly. It does though-doesnt it? There are many things in this world that are incredible and there's no explanation for them. It doesnt mean they dont exist, it just means they're too incredible to understand. Humans want to think that if they cant figure it out-then it cant be. Such egos. It's ok-God understands.

Answer 5

God can make a triangle square and vice versa. Logic has nothing to do with it. We are back to attempting to understand an "infinite" God, with a '"finite" mind- its is an impossibility-as you say.

Answer 6

Logic is irrelevant in the realm of faith. One is a square and the other is a triangle. Neither is "best." Both ARE.

Answer 7

a triangle is the name given to a shape with three sides and a square is the name given to a shape with four sides. the names were given. if god wanted to change the names he gave then a triangle with four sides can exist.

Answer 8

Of course God is all powerful it is just our lack of knowledge and understanding that is the problem.

Answer 9

Depends on your thinking.
A square triangle may exist, but not in a third dimension.
You need to undersand more than what you see.

Answer 10

well, I guess if God had a square made of moist play dough, he could mold it into a triangle.

I like the question, "Could God make a burrito so hot, that he himself could not eat it?"

First of all, who really cares? Second of all, I DO NOT CARE! Third of all, how in the hell would I know?!

Answer 11

There you go trying to inject sinful logic in the religionist argument.