Seeing Things Differently -DanP the apologist excuse.

[MG 2.0]

So again (I’ve asked previously), let’s play ‘build a God’ (as I’ve been trying to get someone to do without using rhetorical/sophisticated barricades in order not to do so) and have a non religious person that has an imagination construct what YOUR God would be. Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for the moment and for giggles that He exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans. Because, as I said, it is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God.

It could be fun!

[yellowstone123]

Perhaps God is as gullible as Mormons.

Would it be so hard for a non religious person to not beat around the bush?

In this thread and others I see reference to ‘Mormon God’. Mormon God essentially being dissed because He isn’t fully ‘Omni’ in the way(s) that non believers demand.

Well, OK.

So again (I’ve asked previously), let’s play ‘build a God’ (as I’ve been trying to get someone to do without using rhetorical/sophisticated barricades in order not to do so) and have a non religious person that has an imagination construct what YOUR God would be. Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for the moment and for giggles that He exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans. Because, as I said, it is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God.

It could be fun!

Regards,
MG

I don't think you need to build a God as you just need to build a brain. Evolutionary psychologist Robert Wright has explained this for decades in his explanations on human behavior and human thought. He has written many books about it. His friend, sociobiologist E.O. Wilson also has shined the
Darwinian light on how brains through natural selection are built. One might say that building a God first like you ask is something like putting the cart before the horse. First build a human brain not dependent on intelligent design then build your God.

[Morley]

And that’s easy to do. Diss someone’s arguments for God.

Please stop. I'm not dissing your arguments for God. I'm not even dissing your description of God. I'm saying that your God is not the same as the one that is generally described in the Abrahamic religions. So, when someone critiques your concept of God--as you describe it--they are not critiquing any and all conceptions of God.

Would you play along with the ‘constructed/constructive’ God I’ve asked for?

I'm not sure I understand what you want. Are you saying that you want me to make up a god that I don't believe in, so you can see if she measures up to the god that you think that you believe in?

[huckelberry]

Would it be so hard for a non religious person to not beat around the bush?

In this thread and others I see reference to ‘Mormon God’. Mormon God essentially being dissed because He isn’t fully ‘Omni’ in the way(s) that non believers demand.

Well, OK.

So again (I’ve asked previously), let’s play ‘build a God’ (as I’ve been trying to get someone to do without using rhetorical/sophisticated barricades in order not to do so) and have a non religious person that has an imagination construct what YOUR God would be. Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for the moment and for giggles that He exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans. Because, as I said, it is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God.

It could be fun!

Regards,
MG

I don't think you need to build a God as you just need to build a brain. Evolutionary psychologist Robert Wright has explained this for decades in his explanations on human behavior and human thought. He has written many books about it. His friend, sociobiologist E.O. Wilson also has shined the
Darwinian light on how brains through natural selection are built. One might say that building a God first like you ask is something like putting the cart before the horse. First build a human brain not dependent on intelligent design then build your God.

I was about 14 when I read a thick detailed book on Darwins studies and evolution. I was convinced and basically pleased with being able to see the world this way. The fundamental outline of evolution fits all that I know about the world, species, geology etc. I think it is a sound guide for further understanding.

I have always been aware, including at age 14,of how this suggests the possibility of there being no God. I was at the same time deeply impressed with exploration of the immense size of the universe. That may even more strongly suggest no God.

At the same time it is possible to see the scientific observations as information about how God approaches and deals with creation. It appears to be an ongoing developing project. God is pleased with immense time and space.

[MG 2.0]

Are you saying that you want me to make up a god that I don't believe in[?]

No. I’m asking you to imagine a God you COULD believe in.

Build a ‘God’. It doesn’t need to be anything like what you might think the ‘Mormon God’ to be. Sky’s the limit.

Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, limitations, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for a moment that a creator God exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans.

It is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God. Go with it. With an imagination like yours it ought to be just plain fun.

I’m interested to see what you come up with.

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

I'm not dissing your arguments for God. I'm not even dissing your description of God. I'm saying that your God is not the same as the one that is generally described in the Abrahamic religions.

Fair enough. The word “generally” being the operative word. We do have the Bible saying that man is created in the image of God.

But back to ‘build a ‘God’.

Give it a go?

Regards,
MG

[MG 2.0]

The thing to remember, at least from where I sit, is that how we define God has a lot to do with this whole free will thing we’ve been discussing.

We really could use a little help here on the ‘Build a God’ project.

Regards,
MG

[Marcus]

Are you saying that you want me to make up a god that I don't believe in[?]

No. I’m asking you to imagine a God you COULD believe in.

Build a ‘God’. It doesn’t need to be anything like what you might think the ‘Mormon God’ to be. Sky’s the limit.

Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, limitations, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for a moment that a creator God exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans.

It is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God...

No. If the bolded part is your "only constraint," then you can't add two more.

Aliens, along with any other imaginary things, are allowed, and "a creator god," while a part of your game creation, is not required to be included by anyone else.

I liked Sagan's book, "Contact." His concept of aliens was pretty well developed and quite interesting as a philosophical conceit.

However, the alien who delivers the Book of Answers to Everything to Scully and Mulder in one of the final X-files episodes, "The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat," was pretty damn entertaining... I'm torn.

[malkie]

No. I’m asking you to imagine a God you COULD believe in.

Build a ‘God’. It doesn’t need to be anything like what you might think the ‘Mormon God’ to be. Sky’s the limit.

Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, limitations, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for a moment that a creator God exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans.

It is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God...

No. If the bolded part is your "only constraint," then you can't add two more.

Aliens, along with any other imaginary things, are allowed, and "a creator god," while a part of your game creation, is not required to be included by anyone else.

I liked Sagan's book, "Contact." His concept of aliens was pretty well developed and quite interesting as a philosophical conceit.

However, the alien who delivers the Book of Answers to Everything to Scully and Mulder in one of the final X-files episodes, "The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat," was pretty damn entertaining... I'm torn.

Is this the alien who retrieved the book of answers from Elder Perry's briefcase?

Wait ... am I in the wrong thread?

[MG 2.0]

No. I’m asking you to imagine a God you COULD believe in.

Build a ‘God’. It doesn’t need to be anything like what you might think the ‘Mormon God’ to be. Sky’s the limit.

Personality, characteristics, attributes, powers, limitations, etc.

Describe that God. Just assume for a moment that a creator God exists.

The only constraint is that you cannot change anything about the world that we live in or the creatures that inhabit it, including humans.

It is what it is.

No aliens allowed. A creator God...

No. If the bolded part is your "only constraint," then you can't add two more.

I don’t see anything unreasonable about that at all. Is it an inhibiting factor to create a scenario by which the God which is ‘built’ in this activity I’m asking you to participate in is a God who is involved directly with our creation/being?

And as for leaving the world as it is and not change anything that seems to be reasonable because the world is what it is.

Now, you have to come up with a God that is involved in its creation but operates within or meets the expectations that you have as to what the ideal God would be.

Character, powers, goals, and other things I’ve already mentioned.

Of course if you want to create a rather bland ‘safe’ god that is somewhat undefinable that’s one option.

Am I asking too much?

Regards,
MG