Why God?

gendo

28th July 2009 - 01:08 AM

I find it curious that when people talk about spirituality, it usually (9 times out of 10) relates back to their faith in god. Why not be spiritual without the idea of god? By any account, it's more logical to believe in supernatural beings such as angels, demons, vampires than in an all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful being. Less fantastic beings can reproduce, be governed by natural laws (albeit unknown ones), and be capable of being proven with evidence (none of which has been found, yet).

nopEda

28th July 2009 - 03:03 AM

QUOTE (gendo+Jul 28 2009, 01:08 AM)

Why should we think that such beings might exist but that none of them could be the supreme being?

MjolnirPants

28th July 2009 - 03:04 AM

QUOTE (gendo+Jul 27 2009, 08:08 PM)

By any account, it's more logical to believe in supernatural beings such as angels, demons, vampires than in an all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful being.

No, it isn't.
Multiple different 'supernatural' beings would have multiple different agendas, meaning that the more there are, the more likely it is that one would have an agenda which involves proving it's existence to mankind. Since this has never happened, it is highly unlikely that demons, angels, vampires etc actually exist.

gendo

28th July 2009 - 03:21 AM

QUOTE (nopEda+Jul 28 2009, 03:03 AM)

Why should we think that such beings might exist but that none of them could be the supreme being?

How can any being be supreme? From what we know of the natural world, no living thing is anywhere near to being all-knowing or all-powerful (that is the definition of god in the monotheistic sense). Lesser supernatural beings are more likely to exist, whether they be freaks of nature or aliens from another planet. In Babylon 5, the Vorlons appear as angels to humans, even though they are just very advanced aliens.

Besides, the concept of god is boring. No drama, no excitement, just eternal boredom. (how could god not be extremely bored? especially with that whole "non-interference" policy)

I know that vampires are flights of fancy, and are a more recent invention, I think that things like angels are much more likely, and have much deeper roots in the human psyche.

uaafanblog

28th July 2009 - 03:51 AM

QUOTE (gendo+Jul 28 2009, 01:08 AM)

I find it curious that when people talk about spirituality, it usually (9 times out of 10) relates back to their faith in god. Why not be spiritual without the idea of god?

Taking just your first two sentences ...

Human culture of all stripes seems to include this nebulous thing called "spiritual needs". It is a foreign concept to me. I have no need or desire to "commune" with the universe or whatever it is that sort of "spirituality" encompasses.

I don't worship ... anything.

And I reject the notion that anyone else has "spiritual needs". I think they have "spiritual wants". I think it's just another example of people using the word "need" when the truth is that they have a "want".

lzurha

28th July 2009 - 08:59 AM

it goes back to far religion was developed to control thats why in the bible its mostly some pretty wicked stuff like hell an satan an even god him self is to be feared

wich dont make sence so i dicided i am my own god liveing along side all the other gods (you) (freinds) (family members)

gendo

28th July 2009 - 01:21 PM

QUOTE (uaafanblog+Jul 28 2009, 03:51 AM)

Human culture of all stripes seems to include this nebulous thing called "spiritual needs". It is a foreign concept to me. I have no need or desire to "commune" with the universe or whatever it is that sort of "spirituality" encompasses.
I don't worship ... anything.
And I reject the notion that anyone else has "spiritual needs". I think they have "spiritual wants". I think it's just another example of people using the word "need" when the truth is that they have a "want".

I'm not necessarily saying the people need to believe in the supernatural, I'm just wondering why god is such a common "trope" among humans. Most naturalist religions are polytheistic; attributing individual natural force to individual gods. I guess I'm wondering why monotheism is so popular, especially when polytheism is much more interesting.

skepticgriggsy

7th November 2009 - 07:19 PM

Gendo, yes. What good is any god as none could do what nature does by itself as the presumption of naturalism notes?
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