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Why Does God Only Speak Through Humans?

Orias

Left Hand Path
"If God were an objectively real being". So basically if God were like a human or some other type of animal that uses language or speaks the same language as our conscience?

This seems silly, even if it were the case I don't see how God would only speak to humans, considering we use language we developed to speak to animals and use commands that would otherwise be unknown to them.

So I see "God(s)" as an energy that speaks to everything. Basically like animism, though my ideas regarding the collective are pantheistic and panentheistic.

Then of course, there is the idea that there is a God within you that allows you to communicate with everything, and even without verbal language.

But it's best not to over analyze, everyone's chemistry is different.
 

Etritonakin

Well-Known Member
There would appear to be a fundamental flaw in that viewpoint

To wit:

Who is the "we" that will be made immortal?

Is it the ones that are currently alive? Or are you referring also to the ones that have gone before and will come later?

If it is the latter then you have to contend to the dreadful problem of overcrowding - unless you also say "God will provide" which is not how it works - think of the famines that occur - and you have also said this



Does that then refer to the souls of people? I have heard it indicated that some believe that the soul is mortal and perishes at the end of the journey.

The overall picture seems promising - the details leave me confused
The problem of space will literally be answered by "space".
The kingdom of God only begins on Earth.

Biblical scripture specifies that not only the earth, but the entire universe -"the heavens" - were "not formed in vain" but "were formed to be inhabited" (and we do not know if there is anything beyond our universe -but it is also specified that of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end).

Though it is not widely believed due to taking some verses out of the entire context (God had his word written "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little"), scripture also states "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ will all be made alive". It also states that those whose works were not good "shall be saved, yet so as by fire". All will be made alive "but every man in his own order". There is a first resurrection -those in the first resurrection becoming the government of God as immortals on Earth for the first thousand years -and "the rest of the dead" will be resurrected to the judgment after the thousand years -which is anot all bad. Some whose works were generally good (but were not called to the first resurrection) will be made immortal -and others will "have their part in the lake of fire" -which is actually a final ultimatum and purification. ("For he is like a refiner's fire")

The term soul can be confusing. Technically, the word translated "soul" in the bible refers to the entire creature -and is even used to describe animals.
The "spirit in man" -the part which makes them who they are (the software, if you will) -returns to God and the body returns to dust.
At that point, one is essentially "asleep" -until put within a body again -eventually a very powerful and capable body which is not bound to the earth as are our present bodies.

(Phillipians 3)
from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

(2 Cor 5)
18I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

(John 3)
…6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said,‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”…
 
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Anttjuan

Member
You mentioned in your post how if God did it your way you would be intrigued. Well first off God’s not trying to intrigue anybody. Also, by doing it the way He does gives people like you room to DISbelieve because, as you mentioned, it would be very easy to “convert” you if He was to appear in a dream directly. Is He going to cater to your way so that you believe? Nope. You don’t believe in God anyway so I’m sure none of this is of any offense to you.
 

Jos

Well-Known Member
It's not a fact. It's a symptom of a culture whose dominant religion basically discourages or forbids directly working with the gods. Spend some time with new/alternative religious movements and you'll notice working with the gods directly - often times without hearing about it from another human - is routine. It's certainly routine in my tradition. There is no body of lore I can even go to from some other human to learn about the spirits of the land here. I have to do all the work myself, from scratch. And that's how all the traditions start - someone has to do the ground work. Only after that do traditions sometimes get established, but none of that prohibits continued direct contact with the gods by others.
Are you saying that an actual spiritual world exists? Really? How is that possible? And even so, isn't it dangerous even participating in such a world?
 

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Are you saying that an actual spiritual world exists? Really? How is that possible? And even so, isn't it dangerous even participating in such a world?

You'll have to forgive me as I try to recount the context of that conversation from a couple months ago. It seems that whether or not the "spirit world" exists by some arbitrary human standard of what "exists" means is tangential to the point I was making there. Gods need not be supernatural or otherworldly, so it isn't even necessary for someone to accept a "spirit world" in order to have experiences that one attributes to the gods. In any case, whether there's an otherworldly context or not, it's not particularly dangerous. Certainly not any more dangerous than getting out of bed in the morning and going about one's day.

But again, all that is tangential the point I was making there. The OP didn't seem to follow how the origins of all religions are rooted in direct human experiences. The entire point of religion is to articulate a culture's set of values through narratives, rituals, and community that contextualizes the experience of life and living as a human. Religions are human made in that sense, but their roots come from experiences that lie outside of themselves.
 

The Reverend Bob

Fart Machine and Beastmaster
I guess God like to speak through humans because God like to play "Chinese Telephone" since humans are unreliable and untrustworthy agents of communication. I would be more impress if God talked through my cat or dog and if he did that I would tell my psychiatrist to up my medications please.
 

1213

Well-Known Member
If God were an objectively real being, why would he need to use men to write the bible, rather than writing it himself? Why would he speak through "prophets" rather than speak directly to mankind?....

Actually, Bible promises Holy Spirit. It can be seen as direct communication. But, if God would communicate directly to you, would you really want to hear, if the message would be the same as in the Bible?


However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

John 16:13
 
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