Can anyone define what God is?

Originally posted by NorthWolfe CND
reply to post by KOGDOG

 

OK, just one question, if I may...
How do you expect to understand God, or whatever, if you do not even know how the Bible was compiled, and created?

It may be a book you like, Holy it is not...

Since today I do not have enough time, for which I apologize, I will just leave with some subjects of interest, on the great book:

- Old Testament - Basically the history of the Jewish Tribes. Many plagiarized passages from the Sumerian, Assyrian, Egyptian...
- New Testament - A compilation of texts, organized in Niceia, on orders from a Pagan Emperor, Constantine, and composed of both Pagan, Jewish, and scholars from many christian sects. Some texts were accepted, and added, others where reject...(some of the rejected ones have been mentioned in this forum).

I will be more specific, if necessary, in a few hours...Sorry, for the "rushed-job"...

What's even worse... I can't even read the texts in their "original languages". Now that really has to put me at a disadvantage when trying to decipher meaning from a "riddle". A riddle that must be listened/read from end to end over and over and over.... until you get "it". Scripture is more like that Hollywood flick "National Treasure"..... you must be able to assemble all the pieces of the puzzle to see the answer. All of your legitimate examples of what you find to be problems may in fact be parts of the puzzle that are meaningful and necessary to the solving of the "riddle". Synchronicity of all things written, observed, and experienced are not by accident. The elements of Scripture to which you object are essential. You must first view God as Holy. Then proceed by faith in your examination of Scripture and life to solve the "riddle". There are no "accidents/errors".... they have purpose... seek, and ye shall find...

double trouble????

[edit on 9/30/2008 by KOGDOG]

Originally posted by jakyll
reply to post by one2hate

 

Yeah,and if you spell God backwards you get Dog.And if you spell Evil backwards you get Live.


The word Devil is the English translation of a Greek word (diabolos) meaning accuser or slanderer.An accuser can be good or evil.

Evil and Devil do not have the same origin and are not connected,just as the words Woman and Man do not have the same origin and are not connected.

God is from the Proto-Germanic word 'gudan' which means to invoke/invocation prayer.

Theos is the Greek word for god or deity.Deus is the the Latin version.

[edit on 29-9-2008 by jakyll]

Hey Jakyll, good to see you again. If I may add to you?

God is the same pronunciation as Gad which is to say Gawd meaning "Fortune" "Good luck", and is who every one is actually praying too, which the self existent hates because he is true and not a diviner. In so he says, "my name is blasphemed every day", being that his title is Self Existent, but his name is called over you so that he is enthroned in the praises of your name who is the "living El".

Peace to you my friend and many blessings

reply to post by KOGDOG


Hi KOGDOG,

An excellent and very accurate script you wrote.

Although it was Not to me, I hope you don't mind me referring to it.

As it is also written "Seek the scriptures for in them ye think that ye shall find eternal life but instead shall only find verification."

It is impossible to decipher the writings correctly, for so many different reasons you have mentioned.

Two of the writings I read gave me a clue that enabled me to see my own experience similar to within the bible were "The book of Thomas" and "The Thunder Perfect Mind"....

This is why I use the words "The True Mind"...

As for myself because of what happened to me I was able to understand what I read in many parts of the bible.
So I would agree with you 101% ....

I look forward to more of your Valued comments.

I find it so satisfying to read what others say on this matter, such as yourself....

As you know I am certainly not a writer.... LOL.

This isn't easy to answer.

Those who believe in God, believe He is above all things. It is rather ineffable to comprehend. In asking what God is, you put the constraint on Him of being 'something', identifiable as 'what' He is. God can have no restraints in our sense of the word. For example, if you believe in the Christian concept of Christ, God humbled himself and entered corporeally into our natural system that he provided. God chose to die here in the form of Jesus.

Try to imagine what that act really was. Our perception of what humility is cannot even begin to be grasped. In essence, God created a rock that he could not lift and yet retained his omnipotence.

He created all Natural and Logical systems for the inhabitants of what we call the Natural world. Concepts of existence, feelings, consciousness, evolution, math, love, and sciences are all part of a wondrous system made by the creator. Even the concept of creation is only how we perceive what has been done. Perhaps when we die we learn all things knowable in ways that mortal man never will.

In a limiting and feeble attempt at what God is, I guess it has to do with our perception of what a loving parent is.

God created mankind as an expression of love. Our purpose is to return the love and to perpetuate and explore the universe (or more) that God gave us.

reply to post by newagent89


But you did a wonderful job of answering...

Since we are individuals with common threads of faith woven between us all, may I ask how you intend to love him and return this love? I'm simply curious as you had a very delightful answer, plus I love hearing to learn from others with empathy as my favorite food. Thank you...and peace always.

[edit on 30-9-2008 by letthereaderunderstand]

reply to post by The Matrix Traveller


I am honored you would answer my questions. I replied to his post, but you and I know the questions are for the ones looking for the truth. I have no greater joy then seeing a face light up at the True reality of The Lords Grace. One of the best things about being human is Knowing his perfection in all of my imperfections in that he gives me to non stop gain in him. I know with him there is One Truth, yet many answers. I think I've got something down and I find another gift inside the first as a true lotus flower to where his compassion is almost too much for my flesh to handle.

Your brother in spirit from ancient times that will be again.
Peace my friend

God is a figment of peoples immagination lets just look at the religous beleifs of past civilizations we have the hide to s'n-word' at them or even in modern day beleifs of american indian or the aboriginals of australia or maybe the recenntly found tribe in the amazons all their beleifs are mocked by all of the reigions that follow one god. If the religions that follow one god are right then why is it that all of the primitive cultures are the ones are are in tune with this planet and try to ensure its long time survival do you see the american indians building great big temples and churches consuming large amounts of resources and cutting down gods creations (trees) and killing more animals than what they can eat do you see any of these people saying we will help you so long as you take up our religious beleifs no if they can help you they will the idea of the christian god is a joke if the leaders of all these churches were to practice the words of Jesus they would be like him carring the word of god with the intended return of food in their stomachs and the knowing that they doing gods work not build great big temples handing out donation trays to help the leader of the church afford brand new cars and nice houses if they were carring the word of god they would live in amgost the poorest people in the world not proped up on pederstools some may say that religion helps millions of people around the world and they do but not before the leaders of the church help themselves

[edit on 9/30/2008 by mullet35]

[edit on 9/30/2008 by mullet35]

what is God?

a tree planted narrow, does it have no seed? you got that right punk this is Lucifer talking i'm playing games that's all i do so leave me alone have a good day

Originally posted by BirDMan_X
what is God?

a tree planted narrow, does it have no seed? you got that right punk this is Lucifer talking i'm playing games that's all i do so leave me alone have a good day

?????????????????????????????????

PURE JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God is love. God is light. There is nothing greater than the feeling of love. In the presence of God, there is nothing except joy. To live in a constant state of joy is something no one would turn down. To bathe in the warmth of the Holy Spirit is to fear nothing and it is pure strength. In the presence of the Holy Spirit, you feel stronger than any evil in the world–and you are.

Every Human "Primate" has his or her own belief what God is, but can anyone give me a common Identity of God.

Of what you ask, the latter is impossible because of the former. "God" takes on different forms and functions depending on the culture and individual believers. The only real commonality between the various world religions, is that god or gods are supernatural and do not appear to exist within this material world. However, even this is not truly a universal attribute of god, as some religions (such as pantheism) believe that god IS the natural world. Atheism's definition of god would most definitely put it within the realm of the material world as well, being a fictional creation of mankind.

We all say God is the Creator of All things

Who is "We"? Not all religions recognize god as a creator.

I would like to hear from others what their beliefs are, regarding what God is, and not what God has done.

For me, the two are intertwined. I can honestly see no pressing need for the universe to have a dependency on supernatural beings to continue it's daily functions. The only real place a "god" would fit well would be in a creation event. Why is there is a reality for us to perceive? While I understand this is a "god of the gaps" argument, it is the only way I've found to reconcile my faith with what I know about reality.

Now, god has never spoken to me. Never divulged his divine secrets. The books of the Christian gospels, or of any religion I have encountered, have never professed any particularly profound wisdom above and beyond that which is beyond the grasp of human authorship. Nor do they reveal a comprehensive understanding of the way the creation actually works, which betrays their true origin.

So I have nothing to say on who or what god is, aside from a basic belief in god(s) and that such a god(s) is a creator being. I think, like anyone who is truly concerned with finding the truth, we should objectively look at the physical evidence left behind. The harsh truth presented by the evidence is, however, that "god does not exist". This doesn't necessarily destroy my faith in god, but it does mean that studying that natural universe can't tell us anything about who god(s) is. It can only help tell us who god definitely is NOT. In this way, reality and reason are the litmus test in which religion is judged on it's statements about god.

So I guess to answer your question - my perception of god is based on my ignorance of things which are inherently unknowable, and tempered by reason and observations of reality.



[edit on 30-9-2008 by Lasheic]

You ask me my theory on God
What do I believe heaven is?
Who do I think Jesus is?
When you don't even know how it feels to be free
To be loved or to love something you can only feel
You can't see
The electricity
And you ask me what I believe
The neivity
And you want what my mind can see
The audacity
So I recite the textbook version:
Heaven is wherever God is
And Jesus is His word
And hope the lesson follows with your conversion
But the lines are already blurred
You want more than condescension and formality
Because to you, words are just words
And the lack of emotion to you
Seems totally and completely absurd
So I tell you then because you think you can understand it
That if God's goodness is a light
Then I just want to be a part of it
And I could do without this world
And all evilness at the heart of it
And if Jesus is the truth and the way to that light
Then I will pray in his name every single night
So is my soul young or old
That I could leave my story untold
Am I fresh from the warm, life-giving womb
Or too many times to the cold and lifeless tomb
That I could be embraced by that light
And never want to begin again--
Out of mind--out of sight?
But you have no answer to my question
Not one of your theories can provide
Your soul's mouth is open
Your eyes are bloodshot and wide
You are shaken
As our souls collide

My world is bigger than you thought it was
And yours is becoming more confined
Because I know who God is
And you have only your theories to be defined.

reply to post by letthereaderunderstand


How to love God?

Well, Jesus says that we should love God with a childlike love.

This is not easy for a self-proclaimed reasoned individual to follow and believe in because they are required to humble themselves to be like children and admit they know little (like Socrates).

It has been one of my struggles, but I thank God that He has provided this struggle, making my life journey more interesting and fulfilling. It is interesting that as children we are innocent. When we grow up, we see children as cute but naive and ignorant, and we strive to make ourselves unlike them.

Then, as we grow older, the good-natured among us become more childlike. It is fascinating: we come full circle, striving most of our lives to be unlike children and in the end we approach our beginning.

Like children, those who love God should always have questions. Explore the universe that God gave us and share that knowledge with others.

Also, those who love God should have faith in His benevolence and faith in the great final destination He will provide.

The biggest concept for the members of this website: Be not afraid.



How to love God?

It is simple.

Love your fellow man.

Condition yourself to be altruistic and to put others before yourself. Life teaches us that we will be walked on if we are kind (Machiavellian concept).

God never said the path would be easy, only simple.

Originally posted by Lasheic


Now, god has never spoken to me. Never divulged his divine secrets. The books of the Christian gospels, or of any religion I have encountered, have never professed any particularly profound wisdom above and beyond that which is beyond the grasp of human authorship. Nor do they reveal a comprehensive understanding of the way the creation actually works, which betrays their true origin.

[edit on 30-9-2008 by Lasheic]

Why would God ever create the world and put people into it if His intention was just to give us all his incomprehensible secrets?

The Bible doesn't go beyond in wisdom what mankind can understand because it was inspired and written for the people of this world and the world of 3000 years ago.

It is infinitely interpretable and a great piece of literature but it is not the decider in salvation. Jesus delivered the option, it is man's life choices that accept goodness or reject it.

If God wanted the world to go on normally, why would he break stride and reveal the origin of the natural world to primitive people who wouldn't know how to understand it?

When it concerns understanding the natural world, God made it and masters it but he is not going to egg along paradigm shifts. He is not some sort of divine alien that is going to come in and physically give us technology to build a pyramid. God said to the Israelites and to all people, "I give the world to you".

We needed God in a physical sense to make our bodies, the world, golden retriever puppies, and the rest of the universe. God in a spiritual sense to keep us asking questions, seeking to understand Him, ourselves, and all abstract concepts. We need God so we can have an understanding of the importance of learning.

The message in Genesis was written in the Babylonian period. It was written for the primitive people of that period when it came to literal interpretation.

Don't ask about the problem of evil here or anything else. No one is here to answer all questions about everything.

[edit on 30-9-2008 by newagent89]

Also, I have to ask why the OP continually makes reference to the "Human Primate". There's really no reason to phrase it like this, as it's assumed that humans ARE primates. Even if you believe humanity was uniquely and specially created by a loving god who put us above all other creatures, we would regardless still be taxonomically defined as primates simply and expressly due to the shared physical characteristics between us and other primates. Indeed, it was the devout christian and creationist Carl Linnaeus who created that very standard of definition by which we are classified as primates.

Do you feel a measure of disdain at such a label? I must ask, why then? Why would you feel disdain for that which you are by your very... erm.. creation?

reply to post by Lasheic


Primates were a great choice for what would be humanity. Large brains, social tendencies, and a certain amount of weakness (we stand on our hind legs, weird). Excellent.

Evolution ensured that God would enter the picture at some point within the parameters of the beautiful natural world He created. Human reason allowed God to test our faith for quality.

Another thought on God: Being absolutely certain on what God is is arrogant. If you believe in a God who created ALL things then he must have created the concept of something's "whatness". For that matter, he also created the concept of creation as we perceive it and the concept of concept as we perceive it. Because we could never understand God fully, faith and a desire to approach Him in love is what is virtuous.


[edit on 30-9-2008 by newagent89]

Can anyone define what God is?

"The thing you cling to in your hour of need?"

Or' "Everything you worship?"

Personly: "ME' I am It 'N' It is me, everything is everything...right....?"


P.S. ....Do i belive in Jesus?..........I heard Jesus, was a dirty latin word for bastard at that time?

And if God in the bible sense exsists ............he aint a funny man

This is the verdict: “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”


[edit on 30-9-2008 by freedom2]

reply to post by mullet35


Not going to answer whole question as I have talked enough but so you know: Catholic priests live lives without material wealth (15K-30K at most) and live in small homes on the grounds of the church. They have few possessions because materialism is seen to them as corrupting. This is true even at big churches. Their basic needs are provided for, but no more than that. The cars bought for the priests are usually high in practicality and longevity, not in appearance. Presents given on birthdays for priests that are not fridge drawings by elementary school kids are given to those in need. When it comes paying the priest to say Mass for those who are sick or who have died, the priest receives a stipend of around 5 dollars. This is more traditional and respectful than a source of income.

They pay both sides of S.S. taxes: From wikianswers: "strangely enough, they are 'employees' with respect to federal and state taxes, but 'self employed' with respect to social security."

Even bishops with their robes, ring, and crosier staff are not wealthy. The only reason they are worth more is because they have to pay for extensive, non-leisure, travel. Their personal effects are basically the only capital they have.

Lay off the priests.