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If There is Only One God, Then How Do We Know There is Only One God?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Modern physical
A widely supported scientific theory in modern physics is the zero-energy universe which states that the total amount of energy in the universe is exactly zero. It has been argued that this is the only kind of universe that could come from nothing. Such a universe would have to be flat in shape, a state which does not contradict current observations that the universe is flat with a 0.5% margin of error. The paper "Spontaneous creation of the Universe Ex Nihilo" provides a model for a way the Universe could have been created from pure 'nothing' in information terms.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_nihilo#Modern_physical
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221268641300037X
I'm afraid there is no universal answer to that. But all I know is that if there are multiple Gods, as in true Gods in the full supreme meaning of the word, then this life would be screwed as they would fight over it to be the ruler.
Bonus answer: no to me. But if it's the opposite direction, I think the above has something to say in it.
Bonus answer: no to me. But if it's the opposite direction, I think the above has something to say in it.
Why would a god, let alone a true God, necessarily have adolescent behavior?
Please clearly point out what's believed to be adolescent behavior first so things can be clear.
One would expect a god to know better than to fight other gods to be a ruler.
Talking about this would completely negate what God means. God is supreme and one of a kind. If there is another, of the same, neither would be God in the first place. But even if we imagine they would co exist, they would work on realizing their nature being God, otherwise they wouldn't be God.
Is there a country with two rulers?
Just like us humans, we have different state of minds, but never more than one soul. I can't even consider people arguing "what if we have more than one soul" or something.
Is there a country with two rulers?
Just like us humans, we have different state of minds, but never more than one soul. I can't even consider people arguing "what if we have more than one soul" or something.
Even hypothetically, a God worth the name would by necessity rise above such a level. I have no doubt about it.
This, particularly, can't possibly apply to any deity. Or even to humans really.
This, particularly, can't possibly apply to any deity. Or even to humans really.
I sure am. But that was the point of the Greek Pantheon. They are never presented as Abrahamic-like Gods. Their whole point was to be illustrations of human emotions and human dramas.Let's stick to "realistically" then
But there is a thing; Zeus and Cronus were (are?) two gods and I heard they fought. Are you calling them adolescents, if they did?
The God of Abraham/Ibrahim is explicitly unhappy with comparisons with such Gods. One of the Ten Commandments of Christians even makes a point of warning against caring about those.
Then again, ever more frequently I find myself wondering if people actually believed in Ibrahim's God 1400 or more years ago. I suspect that only in recent centuries people lost track of how dangerous it can be to hold belief in such an entity. Back then, most people would be too busy with family and survival for that to be much of an issue. Not so much these days.
He sure feels rather unsuitable for belief-centered uses. Particularly when one reads the scriptures, it feels a lot more like a personification of tribal or nationalistic ideals intead. He is sure way too belligerent and emotionally dubious to inspire much in the way of admiration.
One can only wonder what those early Jewish People, Christian and Muslims would do or feel when faced with modern people who are too distracted from everyday affairs to avoid going off the rail due to excessive attachment to scriptures. Or if they have been grown unaware of the Abrahamic God and instead learned about Krishna, Devi, Balder or the Tao.
Why not?
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Oh, you have experience only of jealous Abrahamic Gods. Hindu Gods do not fight. (Sometimes they do, but the conflict always ends in reconciliation).
Here, find all the three major Hindu deities together Vishnu, Shiva and Mother Goddess while Mother Kali looks on. Hari-Hara, the combined form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.Lord Shiva giving the discus to Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama, an avatara of Lord Vishnu, worshiping Lord Shiva. And the three Gods, Brhma, Vishnu and Shiva like to be photographed together. Same for their spouses. They are civilized people.
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I have no idea what "existence being a source unto itself" is supposed to mean.
Existence isn't an attribute or a thing that exists on its own, so I'm not sure it's the sort of thing that needs a source at all... even "itself" (whatever you mean by that).
Then they do fight in your beliefs, regardless. End of story
On a side note: they don't go under the full definition of Gods in my beliefs tho. A god creates, and they are not people to begin with. A god is higher than that. But that's my definition of God who unless is really divine, almighty, supreme and unique compared to people to not need spouses, for example, I see unworthy of calling God, IMO. I of course respect beliefs, even if one calls anything or anyone they wish God.
McBell
Unbound
So basically, in a nutshell, your definition of god includes the inability to play well with others?Then they do fight in your beliefs, regardless. End of story
On a side note: they don't go under the full definition of Gods in my beliefs tho. A god creates, and they are not people to begin with. A god is higher than that. But that's my definition of God who unless is really divine, almighty, supreme and unique compared to people to not need spouses, for example, I see unworthy of calling God, IMO. I of course respect beliefs, even if one calls anything or anyone they wish God.
Not with others, but with other gods, if they existed. And only in the definition of a true God; a supreme being.
But I guess that depends on how one defines God. My definition is being supreme and above having others in his supremacy. As I said, I'm okay with others calling anything or anyone God, even if it's a rock. Not that I disrespect their beliefs.
McBell
Unbound
Not being able to get along with others (gods) doe snot strike me as something a "supreme being" would suffer from.
Your argument is actually very good. That's where the paradox lies really; if there are other gods (supposedly), then God won't be God or supreme being to begin with. I would not follow Him then and consider Him unworthy to be God (yet I believe he is).
Hmm, I guess definition of God is the problem after all.
McBell
Unbound
I have found that most people have a definition of god that leads to more problems than it solves.
But only when said definition is put to the test.
I have found that most people refuse to put their definition of god to the test.