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Author
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Topic: Why Would God Care?
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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Message 106 of 217 (391047)
03-23-2007 9:52 AM
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Reply to: Message 103 by Phat
03-23-2007 6:56 AM
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
The question, Does God Care? *pounds. head. on. desk.* Why. Does God Care. How hard is this? Honestly? Is there anyone reading who's super confused by what I'm asking here, apart from Phat, CS, and PD?
God does want us to get to know God not because God is vain but because God foreknows that its the best way for us. There's that mysterious magnificent destiny again. Any old time you want to clue us in what it is, feel free. So far it's just "talk to God," which I would think he'd be capable of initiating... what with the omnipotence and all.
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 103 by Phat, posted 03-23-2007 6:56 AM | | Phat has replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 108 by Phat, posted 03-23-2007 11:13 AM | | Dan Carroll has replied | | | Message 109 by Heathen, posted 03-23-2007 11:21 AM | | Dan Carroll has replied |
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Heathen
Member (Idle past 1313 days) Posts: 1067 From: Brizzle Joined: 09-20-2005
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Re: Lust
PD writes: Show me where God claims that lust is a sin.
well a quick wiki search returns this:
wiki writes: Listed in the same order used by both Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th Century AD, and later by Dante Alighieri in his epic poem The Divine Comedy, the Seven deadly sins are as follows: Luxuria (extravagance, later lust), Gula (gluttony), Avaritia (greed), Acedia (sloth), Ira (wrath), Invidia (envy), and Superbia (pride). beliefnet returns this:
beleifnet writes: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28)."
now admittedly this doesn't say anything about looking at a man lustfully, but I think it's safe to assume that the bible doesn't approve of that either. there are many other links, but I'm not going to list them all here.
PD writes: Per the OP, God does exist for the purposes of this discussion. The Holy texts show that God has communicated to humans.
agreed. Edited by Creavolution, : No reason given.
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Phat
Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: 12-30-2003 Member Rating: 1.0
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
Dan writes: There's that mysterious magnificent destiny again. Any old time you want to clue us in what it is, feel free. So far it's just "talk to God," which I would think he'd be capable of initiating... what with the omnipotence and all. Oh so you want God to start? Welll...I'll take it as a sign that He wants me to be His mouthpiece! So here we go....are you ready?
Phat becomes the voice of God: Dan, I care about you. I care because all of you humans were made in my image.... BTW I want to give you props for that sense of humor you have! It makes people laugh and laughter is a great medicine! You may wonder why I do not interfere more...being omnipotent and all! The reason is because I gave you great minds and want you to do your collective best first. I will step in when needed. *cough* One more thing, Dan. I really wish you would talk to me more often. Just because I know what you are going to say before you even say it is no excuse! I love you, son! Don't take any wooden nickels!
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Heathen
Member (Idle past 1313 days) Posts: 1067 From: Brizzle Joined: 09-20-2005
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
To be honest I thought at least one person would suggests that God cares about us for the self same reason that a parent cares for a child. (and I was ready to counter with the more menacing side of god..) but I'm genuinely surprised no one has taken this tack..
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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Message 110 of 217 (391058)
03-23-2007 11:22 AM
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Reply to: Message 108 by Phat
03-23-2007 11:13 AM
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
Oh so you want God to start? Welll...I'll take it as a sign that He wants me to be His mouthpiece! Well fuck, I can't argue with that logic.
Dan, I care about you. I care because all of you humans were made in my image.... Seems like an odd hobby, God. Do you often go around making infinitely lesser beings into planetwide self-portraits? And even if you do, what does "making us in your image" have to do with caring what we do? I could shuffle around bacteria in a petri dish until it looked like a passable drawing of me... doesn't mean I'd care how the bacteria interacted with one another. --- Well, that was a fun conversation with God via Phat. Guess that conversational destiny's now fulfilled, and God's motivation for caring is moot? Edited by Dan Carroll, : No reason given.
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 108 by Phat, posted 03-23-2007 11:13 AM | | Phat has not replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 113 by ringo, posted 03-23-2007 12:19 PM | | Dan Carroll has replied |
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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Message 111 of 217 (391059)
03-23-2007 11:26 AM
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Reply to: Message 109 by Heathen
03-23-2007 11:21 AM
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
To be honest I thought at least one person would suggests that God cares about us for the self same reason that a parent cares for a child. Phat did earlier. (In post 42.) I asked why God, like any loving parent, wouldn't want us to grow up and strike out on our own, all independent. He sidestepped it.
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 109 by Heathen, posted 03-23-2007 11:21 AM | | Heathen has not replied |
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New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member
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Do not read the title of the thread. It will only confuse you. Actually, it was the OP that made it confusing. You outlined an insignificant scenario when all you were asking is why does god care about us. There's plenty of answers for why... Because: we're his, he created us, he loves his creation, he is caring by definition, because we are significant, blah blah blah. Its a bunch of wishy-washy crap, IMHO. But I still don't think those are the answers you're looking for.
except for the part where you're supposed to actually explain what the flaw is. In words. I did, though. Its a strawman god.
Hey, I think "there's no answer to that question" is a valid response. Makes religion a little ridiculous, but I guess that's between a believer and their faith.
How does not being able to explain why god cares to an offensive, sarcastic smart-ass make religion ridiculous? There's lots of reasons for why god would care about us, I mean, we're supposedly his children, why wouldn't he care? Because you think we're so insignificant in the grand scheme of things?
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ringo
Member (Idle past 442 days) Posts: 20940 From: frozen wasteland Joined: 03-23-2005
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
Dan Carroll writes: Do you often go around making infinitely lesser beings into planetwide self-portraits? And even if you do, what does "making us in your image" have to do with caring what we do? I've been toying with the idea of an artist who creates an "image" that is capable of damaging itself (Bad Science Fiction Warning!). That seems like an ill-conceived design feature - but the question remains: why would he "care" if that design feature was utilized? Do we normally put "Do Not Use" stickers on our creations?
Help scientific research in your spare time. No cost. No obligation.Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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Actually, it was the OP that made it confusing. You outlined an insignificant scenario when all you were asking is why does god care about us. I'm sorry if using an example of something ridiculous about which there is no reason for God to care confused you. I have clarified more than fifteen times since, so you have no reason to be confused now.
Because: we're his The mold in your shower is yours. Do you care about it?
he created us You created the dump you left in the toilet this morning. Do you care about it?
he loves his creation, he is caring by definition He cares because he cares. Got it.
because we are significant He cares because there's no reason to care. Got it again.
But I still don't think those are the answers you're looking for. No, I'm not looking for crap answers. You're right on that count.
I did, though. Its a strawman god. And, as always, feel free to explain what makes it a strawman God any old time.
How does not being able to explain why god cares to an offensive, sarcastic smart-ass make religion ridiculous? Avoiding types of behavior for the sole reason that God has decreed it, when you can't even point to a valid reason why God would care one way or the other, is fairly ridiculous.
I mean, we're supposedly his children, why wouldn't he care? See above. One, why would he think of us as children, rather than the mold in his shower? Two, why wouldn't a parent want us to be independent?
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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Message 115 of 217 (391071)
03-23-2007 12:33 PM
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Reply to: Message 113 by ringo
03-23-2007 12:19 PM
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
I've been toying with the idea of an artist who creates an "image" that is capable of damaging itself (Bad Science Fiction Warning!). I dunno. I think that could work as a sci-fi adaption of Pygmalion.
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 113 by ringo, posted 03-23-2007 12:19 PM | | ringo has replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 117 by ringo, posted 03-23-2007 12:47 PM | | Dan Carroll has not replied |
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New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member
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Avoiding types of behavior for the sole reason that God has decreed it, when you can't even point to a valid reason why God would care one way or the other, is fairly ridiculous. Yes, it is. I don't know of anyone who does that though, so...so what?
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ringo
Member (Idle past 442 days) Posts: 20940 From: frozen wasteland Joined: 03-23-2005
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Re: Does God Claim to Care?
Dan Carroll writes: Pygmalion Well, Professor Higgins "cared" about Eliza *ahem* - but his motivations were largely selfish. That seems to fit the "jealous God" scenario - He wants us to bask in His glory instead of "enjoying ourselves" without Him. Seems a tad insecure, too. I don't think believers will want to go there.
Help scientific research in your spare time. No cost. No obligation.Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 115 by Dan Carroll, posted 03-23-2007 12:33 PM | | Dan Carroll has not replied |
| Replies to this message: | | | Message 142 by Phat, posted 03-24-2007 1:42 AM | | ringo has replied |
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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Yes, it is. I don't know of anyone who does that though, so...so what? You don't know anyone who avoids types of behavior because God decreed that they should? Then what are all those "sin" things I've heard so much about?
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
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New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member
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Then what are all those "sin" things I've heard so much about?
I don't strive to avoid sin for the sole reason that god decrees it.
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Dan Carroll
Inactive Member
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I don't strive to avoid sin for the sole reason that god decrees it. Congratulations. If you don't adjust your behavior to please a God who has no reason to care, you're doin' fine. But if you're going to insist that nobody does, or that it's not a major part of religion, then you're being purposefully disingenuous.
"I know some of you are going to say 'I did look it up, and that's not true.' That's 'cause you looked it up in a book. Next time, look it up in your gut." -Stephen Colbert
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