Good point, neologist. Boehme's words were inspired by his interpretation of Psalms.
"God" is an insurance company for some, but to which we all are obliged pay the premiums. The company has been reported repeatedly for failing to pay out but continues to trade through slick marketing compaigns, a vested interest management structure, and early indoctrination of the young.
So is this the god you believe in or the god you don't believe in?
I believe that "God" is a socially constructed concept (like any other concept) whose pernicious effects at the macro-level outweigh its beneficial or palliative effects at the individual level.
Arguments about "existence of God" are futile. We are all stuck with the concept whether we like it or not.
neologist wrote:The definition of the Hebrew word Jehovah, or Yawheh, is 'He causes to become', itself a name inspiring contemplation of the universe.
Descartes, then, perhaps defined God.
I think, therefore I AM.
BINGO, Fresco.
Perhaps religion is also often a Protection Racket.
I must say, fresco, Phoenix and JLM, that I don't believe in that god either.
Neo,
That's not the God I believe in either.
neologist wrote:The definition of the Hebrew word Jehovah, or Yawheh, is 'He causes to become', itself a name inspiring contemplation of the universe.
Fits my mind perfectly (well, except for the "He" part).
JLN + Phoenix,
Thank you for your support. I'm pretty sure theists never consider that they might have a deleterious effect on all of us. Pessimistically, I don't think the day will yet dawn when colateral effects of religion are compared with "passive smoking".
fresco,
If you feel that theists have a deleterious effect on you or anyone else, why do you then spend your time in the Spirituality & Relgion Forums? Wouldn't it be more logical to shy away from us theists instead?
fresco wrote:Arguments about "existence of God" are futile. We are all stuck with the concept whether we like it or not.
We may be stuck with the concept of "God", but our understanding of that concept (for better or worse) is ever changing. In this new era of information I think there is good reason to be optimistic.
MA,
I just drop in now and again to do my duty and give you sleepers a little shake , but most of you will never sleep it off. :wink:
echi,
"God" may have quite a lot to do with ignorance (i.e.the ignoring of "information") but at the end of the day "information" is a function of social consensus. Believers form their own reinforcement/consensus of their particular rationality which tends to resist change because it lays claim to "eternal truth".
From Brandon's New World Dictionary:
I am an atheist, but to me, the word God denotes an all-powerful being, personally responsible for the creation of the universe, and capable of speaking to any person either within that person's mind, or aloud using sound, should he choose to.
Brandon,
Thank you for that definition. I don't think I have ever heard an atheist say anything like that before.
Momma Angel wrote:Brandon,
Thank you for that definition. I don't think I have ever heard an atheist say anything like that before.
Well, I don't believe one of those exists, but that is certianly what the word means to me.
Brandon,
Well, it seems that most atheists don't even believe that much. So, it kind of surprised me.
Oh, I understand Phoenix. I just don't recall any atheist actually saying they agreed with the definition. I could be wrong, I just don't recall it.
