Do you want God to exist?

[TJ73]

I know all the reason that atheists don't believe God exists: No proof, POE, can not be explained reasonably, etc.
But would you prefer that God does not exists?
If it some how was proven, someday, God is real, would you be disappointed?

 

[BruceDLimber]

What _I_ want doesn't matter in the least!

God exists regardless.



Bruce

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I know all the reason that atheists don't believe God exists: No proof, POE, can not be explained reasonably, etc.
But would you prefer that God does not exists?
If it some how was proven, someday, God is real, would you be disappointed?

I wouldn't say I'd be disappointed. It would have a lot of good implications. Maybe it'd mean I'd have a chance at immortality, for instance... although I suppose immortality might not necessarily be a net positive thing, but that's probably a separate discussion.

However, it would also have some unpleasant consequences. I'd probably have quite a bit of consternation trying to reconcile the existence of God with the world I see around me. After all, the fact that I can't do this now is a big part of why I'm an atheist.

Basically, I can make sense of the world better without God than with God. If I was confronted with God's existence, it would mean that the world would suddenly make much less sense to me. I'd certainly find that unpleasant... but the existence of God itself? Not so much.

Not unless I found out about God in the context of discovering that I'd be tortured forever or something like that. That I would find disappointing.

 

[Songbird]

Interesting question. I don't know. I think I would be disconcerted with proof of either God's existence or non-existence.

 

[lunakilo]

I know all the reason that atheists don't believe God exists: No proof, POE, can not be explained reasonably, etc.
But would you prefer that God does not exists?

If you by God meen some almighty being who is in charge of the universe, then yes I guess I would prefer that God does not exist.

You could possible come up with other definitions of what God is.
And some of those I may not mind if they exist

If it some how was proven, someday, God is real, would you be disappointed?

I prefer it when people don't play tricks on me.
If it turns out that God does exist but has been sitting in the corner all the time waiting to see if I notice him/her/it I think I would feel very hurt/disappointes/sad.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What _I_ want doesn't matter in the least!

Doesn't it?

If we were to find that believers all want to believe and disbelievers all don't want to believe, then wouldn't this point toward a possible explanation for belief/disbelief in God: wish fulfilment?

If there really is a God running around convincing people of his existence, then IMO we'd expect to see not only believers who happily believe but also believers who would prefer not to believe but have been forced to accept belief based on the facts at hand. No?

I do find it telling that believers whose God disagrees with them are scarcer than hen's teeth.

 

[LuisDantas]

As per Lunakilo. If such a God does exist, he is certainly doing a very questionable job.

I would much rather find out that existence is essentially random and therefore it falls upon us to lend it any sort of meaning or justice.

 

[Engyo]

I have no preference. Either way it doesn't change what I'm doing and how I'm living my life.

 

[fantome profane]

That would have to depend on what kind of “God” it would be. The idea that there is some powerful entity somewhere out there that wants to help is a very nice idea, and of course I would want that to be true. But the idea that there is some all-powerful sky tyrant is not something I want to be true.

The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully. – Richard Dawkins

I don’t imagine anybody would want that to be real.

 

[Nooj]

Hi TJ73.

But would you prefer that God does not exists?

It depends on what God you mean, but generally yes. I hope God doesn't exist.

If it some how was proven, someday, God is real, would you be disappointed?

Not disappointed, but sad. Most depictions of God that I've come into contact with, I find disagreeable.

 

[YmirGF]

I know all the reason that atheists don't believe God exists: No proof, POE, can not be explained reasonably, etc.

You left out that belief in god is an irrational assumption about the nature of reality.

But would you prefer that God does not exists?

But the god you imagine does not exist, save only in your mind. Why would I prefer that something that does not exist, didn't exist? Your question is actually somewhat nonsensical.

If it some how was proven, someday, God is real, would you be disappointed?

Disappointed? Hell, no. Though I do suspect that many theists would be very, very disappointed because that discovery would not likely support their deeply held beliefs.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

It would depend on specifically what god was, but, in a general sense, aesthetically it appeals to me that the universe and existence would have some type of conscious purpose and design. Then again, I'd also like to be able to fly and move objects with my mind. Unfortunately, my aesthetic desires have no impact on what actually is. Of course, this doesn't seem to stop most people from defining reality according to what they wish was true.

 

[Vansdad]

As per Lunakilo. If such a God does exist, he is certainly doing a very questionable job.

I would much rather find out that existence is essentially random and therefore it falls upon us to lend it any sort of meaning or justice.

I must say I find it funny when people judge God.

 

[Engyo]

I must say I find it funny when people judge God.

Aaahhh - but they are not judging God, they are judging what other people say about God, and write about God, and tell us about God.

We don't absolutely KNOW enough about God to form judgements, which is sort of the point. Since no one can even offer objective proof of God's existence, the judgements being made are on other peoples' word and ideas, not "judging God".

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I must say I find it funny when people judge God.

Still not as funny as people thinking god is judging them.

 

[bobhikes]

I love fantasy

I would love it if the Norse Gods were real.
I love the Celtic creatures.
I would like to see the greek monsters.

I want magic like that of the movies to be real.
I want dragons.

Loch ness monster, Big Foot , Aliens, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Uncle Sam, Super Heros, Super Villians.

I would like a lot of things to exist.

 

[LuisDantas]

I must say I find it funny when people judge God.

No offense taken, and I may actually agree.

Then again, it is funny to think that some people believe that I only exist because God wanted me to, yet somehow it is not proper for me to use the capability for discernment and questioning that supposedly are only mine because he also wanted it to be so.

 

[lunakilo]

Then again, it is funny to think that some people believe that I only exist because God wanted me to, yet somehow it is not proper for me to use the capability for discernment and questioning that supposedly are only mine because he also wanted it to be so.

But just because God gave you the ability to do something doesn't necessarily meen that he wants you to do it.

You have the ability to help little old ladies across the streat.
You have the abillity to kill people.
You have the abillity to worship God.
You have the abillity to question Gods existence.
You have the abillity to ...

God (if he/she/it exists) gave you a lot of abillities, but maybe God didn't want you to use all of them

 

[Caladan]

I know all the reason that atheists don't believe God exists: No proof, POE, can not be explained reasonably, etc.
But would you prefer that God does not exists?
If it some how was proven, someday, God is real, would you be disappointed?

There is a world of difference between what we want, and what we have at any present moment.
Many people believe God exists or want God to exists. but all they do is go to Sunday sermons, pray 5 times a day, or just glorify their version of religion or God. well that's nice, but also utterly boring and inane.
if they feel so intense about the concept of God, they should go and do the 'real stuff', travel the world, study the people of God, explore the wilderness and the wild life, be constantly aware and mindful of the geopolitical implications around us, including those of religious groups, organizations, and indeed our own ideas and concepts of God, how do these effect our own lives and society around us.

there is a wonderful passage in the Qur'an. 'God does not change the condition of a people until they themselves change it'.

Any God would not work with people who slack around and sing inane and non melodic praises to him all day, he might take notice of people who are actually interesting and interested enough to explore the world, its resources, the politics around its resources and take an active part in the geopolitical power play. as the Men of all major scriptures have done, from Moses to Muhammad. these Men have done battle for their people or community, have toppled governments, made it possible for other governments to be established, they took up arms against their rivals, and still many of these men had a bitter end and didn't enjoy the fruits of their labour. but at least they had a ****load of fun in the process. 'they saw the world' as it were, made their terms with it, fought for their interests and the safety of their kind, got a hell of a lot of education in the process, and probably scored with a few Midianite women.

So. my question back at you. is it really that important? whether God exists or not. if people believe God exists, will they do something more inspirational and creative or productive than the secular crowd for example?

Will their desire to believe in God move them to the point of achieving what secular people have for example? will it bring productivity or good fruits into the world or their society?

 

[Caladan]

Aaahhh - but they are not judging God, they are judging what other people say about God, and write about God, and tell us about God.

Haha wonderful!!