I had to bite the bullet

[Quetzal]

May I ask what is stopping you from pursuing answers to your questions? Fear of judgement and being labeled pseudo by the masses and mind police of control? Your brain and mind have infinite potential. Maybe the cosmos is just a larger portion of your brain. You came from it.

I am afraid of the answers. What if the answer is nothing and we aren't important at all? Then what?

 

[Unification]

I am afraid of the answers. What if the answer is nothing and we aren't important at all? Then what?

No need to be your own worst enemy, bud. Nothing to fear. It's common to fear finding out something, opening the eyes of the mind to something that goes against what we think we know or have spent our lives reasoning against, it's our defense mechanism. Just have to let it go and be free from control and a confined box in mind. You'd find wisdom most can't see or know.

 

[aoji]

... and how they came to the conclusion that these gods actually exist.

But then you would question their conclusion, probably concluding that the person was irrational, illogical, insane, a fool, deluded, ignorant, uneducated, unenlightened, a hick, conditioned to believe, etc. First admit that the American Atheist is really rallying against the Christian God and Christianity. While there may be many Jewish Atheists, I doubt that they are openly at odds with the Jewish Religion in Israel. Idkfs because I am not a Jew living in Israel. No, chances are that they would not openly come out and proclaim themselves as Atheists; chances are they would remain silent. Or they would claim that the whole Universe, and thereby everything in it, is God.

I take the evidence as it comes and let it lead to a conclusion, I don't start with a conclusion and only go looking for things that support that conclusion.

I think you and the theists both do the same, that you disregard any evidence that is counter to your beliefs, and seek for evidence that supports your contentions. (It's only natural since that is the purpose of the mind.) It's easy to say that one takes the evidence as it comes knowing that there can be no evidence which can come that can change one's mind since one's mind is already made up. Both the Atheist and the Theist seek justification by consorting with like non-believers and believers; each will read what supports their views, each will watch the TV shows and You Tubes that support their contentions, etc.; each will re-enforce their beliefs by continually feeding the mind what it wants. We all do it. We're just lucky enough to live in a country that allows the freedom to live as we desire, so long as what we desire is in line with what they will allow us to believe.

 

[Ouroboros]

I am afraid of the answers. What if the answer is nothing and we aren't important at all? Then what?

Finding the void and looking into the darkness was the scariest thing, but also the most releasing and freeing thing.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I'm not expecting to see any gods and so far, I have yet to see anything that I would even consider that way

Okay. If you expected to see any god, and Jesus and I appeared in your room out of nowhere, would your definition of God be based on whether "someone else's claim and definition of us" or would you have your own definition or set of rules of who is a god so you know who is god, Jesus or me? (Given the theist made claims that both of us are god)

Q?.What qualities would let you consider what you experience and see is a God and is not?

Q? As an atheist, how do you tell the difference between gods (a coffee pot can be a god) and which one, If you expected to see, would convince you that what you see "Holds up to Your definition of God Not a theist's definition."?

Q? Are you depended on the theist to give you definitions of what god is supposed to be? As an atheist, I find that odd. Claims are just that, but if " I " dont have a point of reference, claims mean nothing.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Great questions. Let me put it this way: I don't know, but I am ready to be surprised. You see, for me it is tough, let's talk big picture. There are billions of stars that span distances that we can never hope to explore. There are endless possibilities and they are only growing as to what could be out there. Out of all of those billions of galaxies, planets, and stars... here I am. I am a statistical anomaly to never be repeated, ever (and so are you!). I guess the God that I picture would be able to explain to me why. Why me, why now? Why are we important, or are we important at all? These are big questions, questions I can never hope to understand, much less answer. I picture God as a person, like me, who has a perspective that I could only dream of. One that He/She would gladly share.

Wow. Thank you. Many people do have those burning questions. If you had to pick which god could answer those questions, which would you choose of all god-faiths (mono and poly theist)?

Good answer.

Nam.

 

[dust1n]

if you met Him, what characteristics would exist to let you know He is God?

I was hoping he'd know better than I do.

Also, what does God mean to you? (just in case Aries shows up but you are looking for Jesus).

Not much.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I actually weigh the definitions and claims that are already put forth. God wouldn't be any issue to anybody if it meets the criteria put out by theists as to the objective aspects that many use to go out and try hard to convince people.

Imo, if you need constant and protracted convincing in any capacity, it's a clear red flag which already proves off the bat that well, it isn't exactly all there.

Also I don't expect any God to show up. Not going to happen anytime soon, nor ever as things are going.

Its good go weigh more than one claim. Some people center on one claim and I wonder if another claim appeared, would their criteria for evidence change or are they just set on a one-theist definition god.

Good answer.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Great questions. Let me put it this way: I don't know, but I am ready to be surprised. You see, for me it is tough, let's talk big picture. There are billions of stars that span distances that we can never hope to explore. There are endless possibilities and they are only growing as to what could be out there. Out of all of those billions of galaxies, planets, and stars... here I am. I am a statistical anomaly to never be repeated, ever (and so are you!). I guess the God that I picture would be able to explain to me why. Why me, why now? Why are we important, or are we important at all? These are big questions, questions I can never hope to understand, much less answer. I picture God as a person, like me, who has a perspective that I could only dream of. One that He/She would gladly share.

By the way, I like your archimedes avatar.

 

[Iti oj]

I told myself I am not debating against religion and putting down religion; so, this thread isn't about that.

Atheists who are asking for God's appearence/evidence, What are you expecting to see if He* shows up?

What is your definition of God; and, if you met Him, what characteristics would exist to let you know He is God?

Also, what does God mean to you? (just in case Aries shows up but you are looking for Jesus)

*He is for convinence not a specific religion's deity.

there are many definitions many god does not have a physical form, the op seems flawed.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

• there are many definitions many god does not have a physical form, the op seems flawed.

No. I'll use myself as an example. If I asked myself the same question, Id probably say my "preideas" of God would be a deity somewhere floating in the sky or a tall dude with a jewish afro meeting people in flip flops. So, based on this, that is what I am "expecting" to see.

Its not an objective question.

What is "my" definition of God? Since it is not objective (I cant plead the "but there are many; only theist have definitions card), I would say a deity who is a Creator. I agree that deities are usually creators and I believe in creation so the next best thing of believing God IS creation is that creation had a creator. Perfection? Naw.. not all people are perfect. I liken to the pagan gods who are not all perfect.

What does God mean to me? Again, not objective. As a deity that I described above? A Creator, inperfect, a bud, best friend, pal. The only difference is he is spirit and i am flesh. Both equal.

If a god like this came to me and said "hey, I am god" going off my non spiritual upbringing, id probably say, "hey, you dont say!" Wed go play pool, grab a pizza, and talk about the big questions.

Friends, communicate, etc yes. Worship, no. I dont worship friends. Yet, He says He is God. Is He? Or do I want Him to be even though Hes not (hmm, another thread)

That is my answer. There are a couple good ones on this thread. It asking those atheists who want evidence for God what are they expecting (what are their preideas) to see if "God" showed up. Is it a buddy? Half human and half horse? A book, upanishads, scriptures, sutras? A dude with blond hair and blue eyes? Are they expecting to see the universe make a smily face or wait until the sun shares his stories that only pagans seem to hear?

There are many preideas of how we define God. How does an atheist define Him; and, if he has a definition, then what type of god they expect to see (or accept is god according to them) compared to another theist's claim that doesnt match that atheist definition?

(Ex. I have no interest if a theist believe in santa clause. " I " dont consider santa a God, so if he popped from no where, he would just be santa. If the Buddha (pretending He is a god for a second here) appeared, Id be in awe. If Jesus apeared, Id be disoriented. If Ordin appeared, Id be confused. If Spock appeared, Id say. "Facinating." We'd have that eye to eye connection without a word said.

So, if you are one of the atheists who ask for evidence for god by his appearence, what, from your ideas of god not theists' ideas are you expecting to see? What does god mean to you (not the theist) and so forth.

Its a subjective thread.

 

[Deidre]

I told myself I am not debating against religion and putting down religion; so, this thread isn't about that.

Atheists who are asking for God's appearence/evidence, What are you expecting to see if He* shows up?

What is your definition of God; and, if you met Him, what characteristics would exist to let you know He is God?

Also, what does God mean to you? (just in case Aries shows up but you are looking for Jesus)

*He is for convinence not a specific religion's deity.

Unconditional love. That's what I'd hope a god would 'look like.' But, no religion presents such a god as of yet.

 

[Laika]

I told myself I am not debating against religion and putting down religion; so, this thread isn't about that.

Atheists who are asking for God's appearence/evidence, What are you expecting to see if He* shows up?

What is your definition of God; and, if you met Him, what characteristics would exist to let you know He is God?

Also, what does God mean to you? (just in case Aries shows up but you are looking for Jesus)

*He is for convinence not a specific religion's deity.

I've reached the conclusion that "God" is based on inferrence. In Marxist ideology, philosophyis supposed to be divided between two schools of thought; "idealism" in which consciousness is primary, and "materialism" in which matter/nature is primary. The existence of god is therefore based on an "idealist" interpretation of the universe in which consciousness is the cause of natural phenemonena based on the assumption that nature cannot cause itself. From this we can interpret the world as being created by a consciousness greater than the universe itself. But as I am a materialist, I do my best to believe that nature creates itself and changes itself rather than needing some divine intervention to do so. God isn't therefore going to show up, because believers would tell you, he was always there to begin with. I do not have a definition of god as I realise there is a huge amount of degrees to which intervention in nature can be attributed to such a god. Though, as I'm still on the side of science and reason, Deism would be a rough estimate of what I would believe if I thought there was a god.

One of my gods rises and sets every single day, but some still seem to think that it doesn't exist or is something to be "believed" in. Then there are the others that darken the sky and make you wet if you go outside, and the ones that nourish our stomachs and our minds. These, I am told, do not exist either. It is quite perplexing.

The above is exactly how I would expect to see god.

 

[Erebus]

One of my gods rises and sets every single day, but some still seem to think that it doesn't exist or is something to be "believed" in. Then there are the others that darken the sky and make you wet if you go outside, and the ones that nourish our stomachs and our minds. These, I am told, do not exist either. It is quite perplexing.

Of course you know full well there's not a shred of evidence for the sun, the night sky or the rain. No shred of evidence for any god whatsoever.

Interesting though that it's the job of the theist to present their definition of god/s isn't it?

 

[Iti oj]

No. I'll use myself as an example. If I asked myself the same question, Id probably say my "preideas" of God would be a deity somewhere floating in the sky or a tall dude with a jewish afro meeting people in flip flops. So, based on this, that is what I am "expecting" to see.

Its not an objective question.

What is "my" definition of God? Since it is not objective (I cant plead the "but there are many; only theist have definitions card), I would say a deity who is a Creator. I agree that deities are usually creators and I believe in creation so the next best thing of believing God IS creation is that creation had a creator. Perfection? Naw.. not all people are perfect. I liken to the pagan gods who are not all perfect.

What does God mean to me? Again, not objective. As a deity that I described above? A Creator, inperfect, a bud, best friend, pal. The only difference is he is spirit and i am flesh. Both equal.

If a god like this came to me and said "hey, I am god" going off my non spiritual upbringing, id probably say, "hey, you dont say!" Wed go play pool, grab a pizza, and talk about the big questions.

Friends, communicate, etc yes. Worship, no. I dont worship friends. Yet, He says He is God. Is He? Or do I want Him to be even though Hes not (hmm, another thread)

That is my answer. There are a couple good ones on this thread. It asking those atheists who want evidence for God what are they expecting (what are their preideas) to see if "God" showed up. Is it a buddy? Half human and half horse? A book, upanishads, scriptures, sutras? A dude with blond hair and blue eyes? Are they expecting to see the universe make a smily face or wait until the sun shares his stories that only pagans seem to hear?

There are many preideas of how we define God. How does an atheist define Him; and, if he has a definition, then what type of god they expect to see (or accept is god according to them) compared to another theist's claim that doesnt match that atheist definition?

(Ex. I have no interest if a theist believe in santa clause. " I " dont consider santa a God, so if he popped from no where, he would just be santa. If the Buddha (pretending He is a god for a second here) appeared, Id be in awe. If Jesus apeared, Id be disoriented. If Ordin appeared, Id be confused. If Spock appeared, Id say. "Facinating." We'd have that eye to eye connection without a word said.

So, if you are one of the atheists who ask for evidence for god by his appearence, what, from your ideas of god not theists' ideas are you expecting to see? What does god mean to you (not the theist) and so forth.

Its a subjective thread.

but i don't prescribe to any and i'm aware of many . If you want to know what i'm expecting, you need to tell me for which one . I am not saying I cannot answer because its not my job but because there are many and im not expecting any and have not even thought about some of them and some of them i find meaningless or useless . , but since Christianity is the main religion in my area ill start there .

i don't expect to see any this god has no form. if god were to "show" himself i imagine a celestial event seen world wide and a voice heard by all people at the same time, yet able to give personalized versions of the message at the same time . probably some angels mixed in.

if islam were true. the moon would split as the celestial event.

as for evidence a great starting point would be holy books that do not contradicts themselves, science, or history . they would also not be full of violence. self translating holybooks would be a neat miracle.

you would see that prat studies would show prays work , especially those of the true religions. faith healing would be miraculous and not con artist .

no evil mega churches , they would be smote

as for jesus im not really sure what part of earth he would return to or what he would look like. i find of all religions Christianity is the least likely and the most contradictory.

its likely he would return to the middle east if so he would look like a middle eastern mystic
if he returned to the west and i can think of a few reason why he would look like a hippy or stoner.

i could go on with more and i could do this for any number of god concepts . some i have not even thought of some i don't find meaningful
there is also a huge element of the unknown and the ability to be surprised

singular personal miracles would not be enough , but who knows
:
edit : i still owe you a definition or several

 

[Iti oj]

One of my gods rises and sets every single day, but some still seem to think that it doesn't exist or is something to be "believed" in. Then there are the others that darken the sky and make you wet if you go outside, and the ones that nourish our stomachs and our minds. These, I am told, do not exist either. It is quite perplexing.

i don't think they don't believe in your gods, but don't believe in calling them gods, or that they prescribe to a notion or attributes of a god.
i might agree
@Carlita

things like intelligence, will, personality. something more then an inanimate object or their interactions.


there are many paths that show some thing need not be a god to be venerated or worship .

i would claim the sun is sacred to me or that I venerate the sun, both of these would be more clear or accurate for me .

if you think the sun is a god i think its better to just worship the sun no need to call it a god but you have no interest in prolotyzing (how do you spell that )it doesn't matter what i think just what works for you .

if i am to accept the quoted example of god then i would expect nothing since it is self evident same with natural pantheism . i don't find this definition helpful

 

[Quetzal]

Wow. Thank you. Many people do have those burning questions. If you had to pick which god could answer those questions, which would you choose of all god-faiths (mono and poly theist)?

Good answer.

Nam.

Wouldn't it be cool if they were on a council, each holding a different perspective and answer. Each more profound than the next?

 

[Quetzal]

By the way, I like your archimedes avatar.

He is my spirit animal, haha.

 

[viole]

I told myself I am not debating against religion and putting down religion; so, this thread isn't about that.

Atheists who are asking for God's appearence/evidence, What are you expecting to see if He* shows up?

What is your definition of God; and, if you met Him, what characteristics would exist to let you know He is God?

Also, what does God mean to you? (just in case Aries shows up but you are looking for Jesus)

*He is for convinence not a specific religion's deity.

Any sufficiently advanced society can make things that are indistinguishable from magic to us.

So, I am not sure there is an epistemology that can guarantee that we experienced God and not an advanced alien.

Ciao

- viole

 

[NulliuSINverba]

Atheists who are asking for God's appearence/evidence, What are you expecting to see if He* shows up?

Would it matter?

What is your definition of God

Isn't that the theist's job? Why not ask a vegan for their favorite method of cooking a steak up?

and, if you met Him, what characteristics would exist to let you know He is God?

I dunno. But given the typical claims regarding the attributes of God, then he'd almost certainly already know what would convince me.

Is it that he cannot convince me? Or is it that he doesn't feel compelled to convince me? Or is it that (for his own arcane reasons) he requires that I believe without convincing evidence?

Also, what does God mean to you?

"God" is the excuse people make for lacking conclusive knowledge regarding any given proposition.