Why a God?

[bobbyd2]

Hi, I'm bobbyd2, from up state ny. I don't remember how I came to this site, but was interested in the views expressed from the first time I read them. I became interested in T.O.E when I retired several years ago. I am most interested in religion. I can understand the allure of religion but cannot understand what is the need for a single all powerful mystic being, so I would like to pose the question. Why a god?

Great question bobbyd2. I copied most of your intro thread here since this forum seems more appropriate.

--Robert

[mkirkpatrick]

Hi, I'm bobbyd2, from up state ny. I don't remember how I came to this site, but was interested in the views expressed from the first time I read them. I became interested in T.O.E when I retired several years ago. I am most interested in religion. I can understand the allure of religion but cannot understand what is the need for a single all powerful mystic being, so I would like to pose the question. Why a god?

Welcome to the toe,Bobby,I send you greetings from old Blighty,England
you asked a good question there,the answer I think is that the "idea"
of a supreme being is hotwired into the human psyche,and therefore
cannot fail to rise to the surface of consciousness.


kind regards michael.

[baudrunner]

Hi, I'm bobbyd2, from up state ny. I don't remember how I came to this site, but was interested in the views expressed from the first time I read them. I became interested in T.O.E when I retired several years ago. I am most interested in religion. I can understand the allure of religion but cannot understand what is the need for a single all powerful mystic being, so I would like to pose the question. Why a god?

Why.., indeed!

The fact that God enters into the general picture is only exempletive of the fact that he has influenced the way of things in the past and that this has been witnessed so that the concept of God is a given -- but more importantly, what is religion?

Religion is the end product of the realization that there is a God. Insomuch as anyone cared, this may well become the refuge for those who might declare themselves to be refugees from within their own culture!

But then, religion is akin to institutionalization. The refuge of the few should not reflect the refuge of the many.

[Donald Croft Brickner]

@ Bobbyd2:

Hi, Bobbyd2. You've already addressed (regardless of its due location in this website or not) more topics than I have to date. I'm kind of slow-afoot.

I like this topic. For me, simply, there is a God -- a creator, to be more precise -- or there isn't. I don't believe the mixing of the separate, and not necessarily related (!), topics of "God" and "religon" are in the same ballpark.

I kind of like baudrunner's expressed notion that, "Religion is the end product of the realization that there is a God." I haven't yet tuned into (read that, understood) the balance of baudrunner's coments; I feel there's a mixing of topics there (although I think I agree with religion as an institutionalization).

Regardless, are you, bobbyd2, more interested in the topic of religion, or in the concept of a (single creator) God? They're really different topics, from a prospective discussion standpoint.

I'm full-bore in support of an intelligently-conceived and expressive universe, by the way. There's just so-o-o much intriguing substantial experiential and anecdotal evidence to support it...both of which need to be placed on the table right next door to empirical evidence, and treated with equal respect.

Ba-dump-bump.

DCB

[harmonygirl]

Hail and well met Bobbyd2. I hope you enjoy your time here. There are a number of threads along this topic that you might like to explore. Incidentally, why not a Goddess?

[mkirkpatrick]

Hail and well met Bobbyd2. I hope you enjoy your time here. There are a number of threads along this topic that you might like to explore. Incidentally, why not a Goddess?

Do you not think that a Goddess is too feminine for a big strong manly type Harmony????


kindest regards michael.

[harmonygirl]

Michael, whether the big strong manly types recognize it or not, feminine energy exists as balance (if you divide along gender) and usually embracing it improves your life. Incidentally, what is 'too feminine'?

[bobbyd2]

Hi to all. Most of the replies to my query were bright and quick, that is excepting harmonygirl's. God or goddess, the question was actually why the need for a supreme being? Religion, I beleive, is a means of controll, and as far as it goes, religion does its job.
I have tried to imagine the reason for god, and I cannot, and so far no one else has. Why not a plethora of gods and goddesses as in ancient times. How about an abstract idea? Why not love or good or evil for that matter. Why a supreme being. I do not beleive we are all born with the idea of a god imprinted on our phyche. If I was imprinted, it would be of a god like Zeus who rewards his loyal worshipers and destroys blasphemers(just kidding).
Don't know mother theresa, but as Spock would say "livelong and prosper"

Have a great day bobbyd2

[harmonygirl]

Hi Bobbyd2, I agree that religion is a means of centralization of political power. I am, of course, speaking of spirituality when I refer to Goddess. To address your question in this forum (versus many others which are on point) I believe that humans have a need to connect to something greater than themselves. Hence the need for organized religions, political systems, invisible hands, etc. Incidentally mother theresa was a nun who did some good work in India.
Have a great day.
hg

[mkirkpatrick]

Michael, whether the big strong manly types recognize it or not, feminine energy exists as balance (if you divide along gender) and usually embracing it improves your life. Incidentally, what is 'too feminine'?

That is a very good question Harmony,I am sure itwould not be me with a handbag and a full beard!I agree on the balance aspect,just teasing you
know.


kind regards michael.