Everyone has had the experience of hearing a friend talk about someone you don't know. I know that whenever this happens, I automatically draw a mental picture of this stranger. I've heard many people relate the same experience that I've had; when I finally met the stranger, they were nothing like my mental picture.
I'd love it if all the god believers kept that common experience in mind when they think about the concoction that is their god. Even if a god exists, I'm willing to bet everything I own your mental picture is wildly inaccurate. So inaccurate, in fact, you'd be crazy not to question it. Of course, I'm willing to bet everything I own safe in the knowledge none of us will ever meet your god.
But believing a god exists that you understand is crazy to begin with, so living with crazy has become comfortable for people who keep a personal god. I'm not holding out much hope, here. It was just something I was thinking about.
Belief in God
- Some Schmo
- God
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Re: Belief in God
Religion is for people whose existential fear is greater than their common sense.
The god idea is popular with desperate people.
The god idea is popular with desperate people.
- Jersey Girl
- God
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- Location: In my head
Re: Belief in God
Some Schmo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 6:27 amEveryone has had the experience of hearing a friend talk about someone you don't know. I know that whenever this happens, I automatically draw a mental picture of this stranger. I've heard many people relate the same experience that I've had; when I finally met the stranger, they were nothing like my mental picture.
I'd love it if all the god believers kept that common experience in mind when they think about the concoction that is their god. Even if a god exists, I'm willing to bet everything I own your mental picture is wildly inaccurate. So inaccurate, in fact, you'd be crazy not to question it. Of course, I'm willing to bet everything I own safe in the knowledge none of us will ever meet your god.
But believing a god exists that you understand is crazy to begin with, so living with crazy has become comfortable for people who keep a personal god. I'm not holding out much hope, here. It was just something I was thinking about.
I don't have a mental picture of God. Does that make me weird? I don't know why a Christian believer would have a mental picture of God. Maybe? I dunno...why would they, Schmo?
We only get stronger when we are lifting something that is heavier than what we are used to. ~ KF
Slava Ukraini!
Slava Ukraini!
- Some Schmo
- God
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Re: Belief in God
I don't believe this. You have to have some way of conceptualizing your god, some kind of mental articulation. Otherwise, you're praying to something you don't think about, which makes no sense.Jersey Girl wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 6:33 amI don't have a mental picture of God. Does that make me weird? I don't know why a Christian believer would have a mental picture of God. Maybe? I dunno...why would they, Schmo?
Religion is for people whose existential fear is greater than their common sense.
The god idea is popular with desperate people.
The god idea is popular with desperate people.
- Jersey Girl
- God
- Posts: 6911
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2020 3:51 am
- Location: In my head
Re: Belief in God
According to the Bible, God is a Spirit. I don't know how to have a mental picture of a spirit, Schmo.Some Schmo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 3:03 pmI don't believe this. You have to have some way of conceptualizing your god, some kind of mental articulation. Otherwise, you're praying to something you don't think about, which makes no sense.Jersey Girl wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 6:33 amI don't have a mental picture of God. Does that make me weird? I don't know why a Christian believer would have a mental picture of God. Maybe? I dunno...why would they, Schmo?
We only get stronger when we are lifting something that is heavier than what we are used to. ~ KF
Slava Ukraini!
Slava Ukraini!
- Some Schmo
- God
- Posts: 2510
- Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:21 am
Re: Belief in God
So you're communicating with nothing when you pray. You're talking to a nothingness. You've got no concept of the thing you are praying to.Jersey Girl wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 5:34 pmAccording to the Bible, God is a Spirit. I don't know how to have a mental picture of a spirit, Schmo.Some Schmo wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 3:03 pm
I don't believe this. You have to have some way of conceptualizing your god, some kind of mental articulation. Otherwise, you're praying to something you don't think about, which makes no sense.
OK. Not sure what the point of that is, but OK. I think most people call that "meditation."
Religion is for people whose existential fear is greater than their common sense.
The god idea is popular with desperate people.
The god idea is popular with desperate people.