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What is god?
- Thread starter AthenaAwakened
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Speakpigeon
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I just realised I happen to know the answer to that. A sudden brain wave I guess.
But I can't tell. Sorry. I don't want people to make one.
EB
George S
Veteran Member
...another one.
Thomas II
Contributor
"God" is the anthropomorphism of the laws and forces of nature...
Perspicuo
Veteran Member
God is Russell's teapot.
Sometimes. Any mythical character can become a god. The important detail is that it must be beyond direct observation. It's always one orbit yonder. It's relatively close in primitive societies, and constantly removed farther and farther as people get smarter and better at observing.
Sometimes. Any mythical character can become a god. The important detail is that it must be beyond direct observation. It's always one orbit yonder. It's relatively close in primitive societies, and constantly removed farther and farther as people get smarter and better at observing.
No. Russells teapot js a ordinary teapot. Gods 'are supernatural.
George S
Veteran Member
God did not create man; man created gods.
Thomas II
Contributor
What people call "God" is the anthropomorphism of the laws and forces of nature. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism
George S
Veteran Member
Yes, and yet another way of thinking about God is as a point of view. An external point of view. A point of view of an agent.
The agents with which we are most familiar are animals and humans. Gods have been given animal characteristics often alongside human ones (partial anthropomorphism). And virtually all have greater-than-human knowledge, intelligence and power. Virtually all do magic. Real magic. Speech is enough to accomplish real physical magic. Words have power. Invoking the name of a deity has power and is effective.
Not all are anthropomorphisms, though certainly most are. It makes sense for humans to create human-like gods -- human-plus -- human-superb gods.
Thomas II
Contributor
What do you mean by an external point of view?
George S
Veteran Member
Watch [YOUTUBE]1iMmvu9eMrg[/YOUTUBE]
Thomas II
Contributor
Yes,and...
George S
Veteran Member
Did you watch the video which answers your question "What do you mean by external point of view?" it all?
It says that people imagine an external point of view and call it God.
How are your videos germane?
It says that people imagine an external point of view and call it God.
How are your videos germane?
Thomas II
Contributor
George S
Veteran Member
Basically, Dr. Thomson shows how both Big Macs and Religion hijack inborn neural mechanisms (as demonstrated by the NIH). It is the best scientific explanation I have discovered to date as to why believers believe in gods. In short, it answers the topic question.
"Children spontaneously invent the concept of god without adult intervention. Religion [is the] path of least resistance. Disbelief requires effort". @18:35
I watched this for the umpteenth time and wondered what would light up in the neurology when political views were discussed instead of religious views in the "Neurological Evidence" portion @27:00 through 30:00. I have a strong suspicion it is the same.
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JohnG
Senior Member
I'd go with C. I think Plato's philosophy played heavily in the formation of the Abrahamic God.
Tristan Scott
Senior Member
How so? I think the Abrahamic God formation was pretty far along by the time of Plato wasn't it? Isaiah predates Plato by 4-500 years, in fact I believe all of the Old Testament prophets predate Plato.
Speakpigeon
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Yes.
The idea, I think, was rather that it was the New Testament that was influenced by Greek philosophy, and the first Church in Rome too.
It is also obvious, although not often said, that the New Testament was informed by something else altogether than the Old Testament. You only have to look at how Jesus is portrayed.
EB