Common traits among gods

[Sir Doom]

You know I was already having troubles following you!

Haha, ain't I a stinker?

I am not sure I am following you. I don´t think any abrahamic conception of God feels "incomplete" ? So, let´s say for the matter of argument I don´t consider myself a " "complete" "one" "thing" ". Do I stop being a being?

Alright, so the 'serious' answer. I wouldn't dispute that Abrahamic God is a personification of 'all', as it were and so fits the description. But there are other all-encompassing concepts that are likened to a source or force that is pervasive and has no singular identity in and of itself. I'm not sure we can call these a personification, exactly. In the interest of objectivity I have to consider all of these options equally and so I can't say that personification is a universal trait. Likewise, limiting the idea to aspects of nature would be to leave out those concepts that encompass all of nature as opposed to part of it. I hope that all makes sense.

As far as being a being, I suppose this would depend on your individual belief as to how you and your fellow humans fit into the equation. We may be separate and distinct beings with no connection to each other beyond physical similarity, or we may be part of a collective consciousness and the separation may simply be a trick of perception, or we may be part of a collective power without consciousness and only through this separation is consciousness derived at all. Again, in the interest of being objective I have to consider all of these possibilities equally, though I think this may be a separate topic

 

[Orias]

I don't believe most of them had a hand in creating humans, but influencing them.

I would also say most Gods posses original will, and are not necessarily immortal but fabric like. Differing dimensions of existence, and interacting with the universal web.

They would also have to be self ascribed, they would almost have to know that they are a "God" or something of the sorts.

I'd also assume that some of them had to take out others to get to their position or they were already born with such characteristics. But then it could be argued that all Gods were born with them, which leads back to they would almost have to realize it or already be.

 

[Sir Doom]

I don't believe most of them had a hand in creating humans, but influencing them.

Yeah, I think I intend to include any sort of 'shaping' as 'creating' for this particular idea. I know there is a difference but I think from the perspective of the deities themselves it wouldn't be much of a difference. Sort of like a sculptor is consider the creator of a sculpture as opposed to the manufacturing company that made the clay. Although they would both count for this particular topic.

I would also say most Gods posses original will, and are not necessarily immortal but fabric like. Differing dimensions of existence, and interacting with the universal web.

Yeah after reading a bit more about the Egyptian gods I realized I was a bit premature in assigning the quality of immortality to them all (however limited it might be). I don't think we can really confer this to all ideas of gods. I think the dimension idea you present is similar to the idea that gods represent an aspect of nature. In some cases this is correct, but because some other cases confer all dimensions to the same deity it wouldn't be correct to include it on the list in my opinion.

They would also have to be self ascribed, they would almost have to know that they are a "God" or something of the sorts.

This is probably a very good thing to debate, actually. It's important that the being considers itself to be some type of deity. After all, if they don't consider themselves a deity why include them as such? The only counterpoint I would bring up are the unconscious type of deities. If they do not consider themselves at all, it would be difficult to say they consider themselves a deity. I think this idea has potential, but I would like to hear from someone who considers 'god' to be more of a pervasive force or source. For example if this force was essentially aware of its importance and role within the cosmos I think we could include it, or if our consciousness and identification of the force would be enough to include this trait. I haven't explored many religious ideas along these lines, so I'd hate to jump the gun (since I've already done that haha). We'll see if anyone likes the idea enough to talk about it

I'd also assume that some of them had to take out others to get to their position or they were already born with such characteristics. But then it could be argued that all Gods were born with them, which leads back to they would almost have to realize it or already be.

Right, for this thread I definitely would prefer to focus on things that are universal to all concepts, so considering a great many of the almighty versions definitely never had to fight for their godhood, its not something I would include.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Why does a god have to be powerful?

 

[Me Myself]

I have the power to develop six pack abs!

Eventually...

with some work...

and time...

I AM A GOD!

 

[Sir Doom]

Why does a god have to be powerful?

I sort of consider the garden slugs in my back yard to be powerful, so I'm not sure how a god wouldn't be. It isn't like I put it on the list or anything... Why do you ask?

I have the power to develop six pack abs!

Eventually...

with some work...

and time...

I AM A GOD!

It might be true!!!! But there are definitely some gods without six packs though, so... ya know... not universal. Keep up those crunches though, six packs are hawt! :flex:

 

[Orias]

Yeah, I think I intend to include any sort of 'shaping' as 'creating' for this particular idea. I know there is a difference but I think from the perspective of the deities themselves it wouldn't be much of a difference. Sort of like a sculptor is consider the creator of a sculpture as opposed to the manufacturing company that made the clay. Although they would both count for this particular topic.

I agree, creation isn't necessary an original aspect of merit, considering that things that are created are just comprised of materials and concepts that already exist.

Yeah after reading a bit more about the Egyptian gods I realized I was a bit premature in assigning the quality of immortality to them all (however limited it might be). I don't think we can really confer this to all ideas of gods. I think the dimension idea you present is similar to the idea that gods represent an aspect of nature. In some cases this is correct, but because some other cases confer all dimensions to the same deity it wouldn't be correct to include it on the list in my opinion.

Well I think an important thing to remember is that most deities that are assigned an infinitive existence in major part due to the human desire to be infinitive. After all, most deities and Gods, if not all of them, are created to represent man's most urgent desires.

This is probably a very good thing to debate, actually. It's important that the being considers itself to be some type of deity. After all, if they don't consider themselves a deity why include them as such? The only counterpoint I would bring up are the unconscious type of deities. If they do not consider themselves at all, it would be difficult to say they consider themselves a deity. I think this idea has potential, but I would like to hear from someone who considers 'god' to be more of a pervasive force or source. For example if this force was essentially aware of its importance and role within the cosmos I think we could include it, or if our consciousness and identification of the force would be enough to include this trait. I haven't explored many religious ideas along these lines, so I'd hate to jump the gun (since I've already done that haha). We'll see if anyone likes the idea enough to talk about it

I agree, again, God should be as pervasive as he is he food for thought. Not many religions cover this because many religions, in my opinion, don't seek to better the understanding of man, rather they seek to better their wallets.

As far as I am concerned, I would love to converse about such ideas, but I'm not sure how far such a topic could possibly go, in concern of how much it exactly desires to cover itself. To the curious and albeit sober man, such things could be conversed without worrying how fallacious it could be.

Right, for this thread I definitely would prefer to focus on things that are universal to all concepts, so considering a great many of the almighty versions definitely never had to fight for their godhood, its not something I would include.

I agree, theres a difference between declaration and information. If one is truly a God, one should not have to declare so but exactly prove it to be.

Man, I just tend to agree with a lot of things you say, are you sure you're not a Satanist?

 

[adam9]

99 names and attributes of God in Islam look it up some examples Ar-Rahman(most gracious)Ar-Rahem(most merciful),Al-Malik(the king or Master, Owner )Al-Qudus(The Pure) Al-Aziz(the mighty) Al-Baseer(the all seeing)Al-Samee(the all hearing) Al-Alim(all knowing)Al-Hakim(most wise) many more there are 99 attributes of Allah(God) you should check them

 

[Orias]

99 names and attributes of God in Islam look it up some examples Ar-Rahman(most gracious)Ar-Rahem(most merciful),Al-Malik(the king or Master, Owner )Al-Qudus(The Pure) Al-Aziz(the mighty) Al-Baseer(the all seeing)Al-Samee(the all hearing) Al-Alim(all knowing)Al-Hakim(most wise) many more there are 99 attributes of Allah(God) you should check them

Strange, all of these descriptions fit me.

:bat:

 

[adam9]

Fear God man you shouldn't lie so bluntly .

 

[Orias]

I fear nothing.

God is on my side, and I know it. I speak so, as I am the epitome of all you don't know.

 

[Sir Doom]

Man, I just tend to agree with a lot of things you say, are you sure you're not a Satanist?

[/COLOR]

Haha, no -isms for me thanks

I looked into Satanism quite a bit when I first left Christianity (seemed only natural at the time). I'd be a liar if I didn't say it influenced by current philosophy (whatever the hell it is). I like the emphasis on the individual that it places. It seems to be a very honest approach, which I always like.

I'm always taking the bits I like out of everything I hear and mashing it together. My religion will always be incomplete

99 names and attributes of God in Islam look it up some examples Ar-Rahman(most gracious)Ar-Rahem(most merciful),Al-Malik(the king or Master, Owner )Al-Qudus(The Pure) Al-Aziz(the mighty) Al-Baseer(the all seeing)Al-Samee(the all hearing) Al-Alim(all knowing)Al-Hakim(most wise) many more there are 99 attributes of Allah(God) you should check them

I am aware of this particular list and while it is a good reference point for many topics, I don't think it is so relevant here. I think we all have a decent handle on what almighty gods are sort of like. Its the less mainstream ones that I struggle with fitting into the puzzle. I am not looking to list every attribute that every god might possibly have, that would be to concede that the only real god would be the almighty ones. I don't have a desire to weigh them against each other. What I want to do is find the attributes that ALL of them have, and ONLY those attributes. This should create an extremely short list. Short lists are much easier to manage. Hopefully, it should narrow the search down.

 

[Orias]

Haha, no -isms for me thanks

I looked into Satanism quite a bit when I first left Christianity (seemed only natural at the time). I'd be a liar if I didn't say it influenced by current philosophy (whatever the hell it is). I like the emphasis on the individual that it places. It seems to be a very honest approach, which I always like.

I'm always taking the bits I like out of everything I hear and mashing it together. My religion will always be incomplete

I have no problem with this, I'm actually a professional cherry picker myself. Except I was never what people would consider "Christian", I've always had an infatuation with darkness, ergo Satan as well as God.

And you might fit the "ism", but you fit the "ic" if you get what I mean. But I will not impose, Satanic philosophy shares roots with almost every philosophy out there.

Xeper!

 

[HeatherAnn]

There are certainly many gods that fit this trait, but I wonder about more all-encompassing types of gods. I suppose we can say that some of these would be personifications of all or of the universe itself, etc. But some do not seem to manifest as beings at all. I'm not sure if they would fit this trait.

I agree that the underlying characteristic in all gods is a spirit, that moves people/creation in some way. The universal aspect of God cannot be a material thing or being, because then it wouldn't be universal, but the spirit behind the symbol may have some type of "moving" or motivating element. I would also say that all gods are worshipped (or focused on by some, to produce the moving influence), whether it's Jehova or your new convertable.

Love seems to be the best & worst word to define God - best & worst because it's so vague & can have infinite number of meanings. I think in Islam, there are almost 100 definitions, but even then it is admited it is beyond definition.

I see love as generally defined as resonating, hoping & striving for what is best, through trial & error (active faith). This moving/motivating love is what has caused us to evolve, & to find motivation to do what we do.