Is my God your God?

I have a theory that I would like to post for contemplation:

Is my God (Christian) the same entity as say Buda, Yahweh, Vishnu, etc....just with the name changed to reflect the local people?

From what I have been able to study, there are quite a few similarities in the types of miracles performed, promises made, etc...

I do not post this to offend anyone. Just currious.

I would make sence if they were.

Any thoughts????

reply to post by Ghost of Chewie


That's highly unlikely. Just because some characteristics are similar; doesn't mean they are the same God. Look at leaders around the world. Just because they have the same politics doesn't mean they are the same person.
Buddha is not a God but a human. Early Buddhism was more of a philosophy belief before mixing with other religions in Asia
Yahweh is another name for God in Judaism.
Vishnu has many different avatars of Hindu God's that it is very difficult to explain. en.wikipedia.org...

Hopefully this will help you understand more.

[edit on 10-8-2010 by Romantic_Rebel]

reply to post by Ghost of Chewie
God can be used to generically describe whatever affects life on earth and may not be specifically an entity at all other than in a metaphorical sense. That understanding of god or chance or nature or providence would be universal but a higher form of God that interacts with people would differ as you suggest, according to culture.
Reaching your higher, people friendly god would be similar in most cultures, if you cancel some of the organized aspects like sacrifices and such.
If one was to succeed in having a kind of communing with their god, I would suspect that it would be the same god that everyone else who have reached that attainment were to have knowledge of.
That being said, there would be those without the best intentions who are seeking an experience, who will have a connection with a dark power that will give you an experience, like suicide or evil acts against others, so there is a false god of a sort which is a good enough counterfeit to fool the unwary or ill intended.


[edit on 10-8-2010 by jmdewey60]

reply to post by Romantic_Rebel


RR is correct. Check out his link! It is really interesting to say the least.

Originally posted by Ghost of Chewie

Is my God (Christian) the same entity as say Buda, Yahweh, Vishnu, etc...

Since the Biblical God began by saying "You shall have no other gods but me", that implies that at least some gods are different from himself.

The Christian God is a God whose relationship with us revolves around the death and resurrection of Christ. This is not true for most other gods. So they are not the same.

But "Yahweh" is a special case, because the same Biblical God is speaking in both Testaments. It is a continuous history.

[edit on 11-8-2010 by DISRAELI]

reply to post by DISRAELI


You're correct! These cultures are very different. Some probably never heard of the Judea God til the 19 century.

reply to post by DISRAELI

Since the Biblical God began by saying "You shall have no other gods but me", that implies that at least some gods are different from himself.

No no, when God gave this commandment He was talking to men who believed in numerous gods. It was not a revelation of the existence of more than one god. Huuuuge difference.

Look at what that verse says in the Hebrew lexicon.

reply to post by DISRAELI

But "Yahweh" is a special case, because the same Biblical God is speaking in both Testaments. It is a continuous history.

I think that could be true but I think of "Yahweh" in the New Testament being associated with Jesus as the personification of a god who came to earth and spoke to different people in the Old Testament as a god but one of a nature that involved direct action in the affairs of men, as opposed to a god far off that probably really was the originator of all existence. It just so happens that a name was associated with him and has been preserved as such through the strict adherence to tradition that the people we know of today as Jews had. (another thing I should add is that the Hebrews given their geographical location would have been constantly in a psychological war against various royal religions by the Egyptians and the Sumerians and the Hittites and Assyrians, just to maintain a national identity)
My point being, that such a god may not have been remembered in other cultures by that name but that does not mean that he did not exist or that only Jews were so privileged as to know him. On the other hand, some cultures may have been so corrupt as to never allow for such a thing, being under the authority of a royal religion based on the permanence of being ruled by by men and having any other thoughts of god vanquished. Such a culture would not have passed on a true account of god and we would not know today if there ever were any true believers, though there must have always been a remnant.

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Since the Biblical God began by saying "You shall have no other gods but me", that implies that at least some gods are different from himself.

No no, when God gave this commandment He was talking to men who believed in numerous gods.

Yes, and that's exactly what I was doing when I made that comment- I was talking to people (ie some of the readers of this thread) who believe in other gods.

And you are engaged in trivial nit-picking which misses the point of what I was trying to do.

Let me explain.
I was not attempting to suggest that other gods had objective reality. But they do exist in the minds of people who believe in them, and that's all that matters for the purpose of this dialogue.

The suggestion was put forward that the Christian God might be "the same as" these other gods. I was pointing out that they were NOT the same.

The logic of my case was that a God who commands his people to reject other gods is, by the very act of giving that command, affirming that he is NOT the same as those other gods.
The question of whether those gods "really" exist is not relevant to the argument, which, I will maintain, is valid and appropriate to the context of the discussion.

Do you wish to dispute my case, and assert that the Christian God really is "the same as" Buddha etc? If you yourself believe, with me, that there is a difference, please consider lending your support on the same side of the argument.



[edit on 11-8-2010 by DISRAELI]

Originally posted by jmdewey60
I think that could be true but I think of "Yahweh" in the New Testament being associated with Jesus ...as a god but one of a nature that involved direct action in the affairs of men, as opposed to a god far off that probably really was the originator of all existence.

But I would see the God speaking in the New Testaments as both.
Because he describes himself as the originator of all existence, besides getting involved in the affairs of men.

That's part of the mystery, that it is possible to do both.

[edit on 11-8-2010 by DISRAELI]

reply to post by Ghost of Chewie


Deductive logic; if God did exist, he would only subcribe to 1 RELIGION as a maximum, and why would God follow any of the teachings written by MAN.

God doesn't exist therefore, No your God is NOT my God, because i don't believe in any God. It's childish.

reply to post by DISRAELI
It maybe should not be so mysterious, don't you think, considering Jesus said that his purpose was to teach his disciples what it meant that he was "in the Father"?

reply to post by DISRAELI

But I would see the God speaking in the New Testaments as both.
Because he describes himself as the originator of all existence, besides getting involved in the affairs of men.

That's part of the mystery, that it is possible to do both.

I'll tell you what a mystery is, its the mystery of the origins of the universe or this reality we are in.

I'll you what makes it no mystery at all, when someone claims THEY KNOW that the universe was created by God and that he said genocide, slavery, racism and treating women like domestic animals were ok.

The really puzzling mystery is why anyone would even suggest such an entity.

[edit on 11/8/10 by awake_and_aware]

Awake,

Why do you continue to post in these RF&T threads in BTS with your "God doesn't exist" mantra? Have you even once read the stickied thread from the forum moderator? These posts you make in numerous threads about God are in direct violation of the TOS of this forum.

"Some of the topics in this forum will most certainly deal with the existence of God. Does God really exist? While this is a worthwhile topic many members wish to move past this introductory theme, past Religion 101, and would like to dive into deeper topic of religion and faith. Are Christians required to keep all of the 10 Commandments including the Sabbath day? Are the teachings of Mohammed peaceful, a beneficial for people today? Do Mormons really believe in polygamy? Do all Buddhist monks have flashbacks before battle? We can't begin to truly discuss these topics if we're constantly arguing about if God is real or not.

If you have questions that deal with the existence of God or want to ask if Mohammed actually was a real person or a myth, then please start a new discussion with a meaningful, appropriate title and you may then dominate a new discussion with this theme in mind. Please do not interject into deeper religious topics the question of the reality of a higher being. Unless stated in the topic, we are assuming in this forum that we've moved on past that point. Imagine discussing algebra while someone keeps interjecting that they still don’t believe in addition. The very reason that classes such as these have prerequisites is so new ground can be covered in the subject. "

ALL MEMBERS READ: moving past Religion 101

Now, you're entitled to your minority opinion, but you need to make your own threads that specifically deal with your belief god doesn't exist, not constantly interjecting your beliefs into threads where others have moved past "Religion 101".

[edit on 11-8-2010 by NOTurTypical]

Originally posted by jmdewey60
reply to post by DISRAELI

 

It maybe should not be so mysterious, don't you think, considering Jesus said that his purpose was to teach his disciples what it meant that he was "in the Father"?

Whatever ought to be the case, all I meant was an observation on human psychology, that the human mind in practice seems to find it difficult to believe that the two roles (viz. "close to us" and "originator of all things") can be combined. Isn't that a fair comment on the history of religions? Is it not full of devotion to "close enough to help us" spiritual powers on the one hand, and speculation about "absolute originators" on the other hand. How often does non-Biblical religion come up with belief in one being who is both simultaneously?

reply to post by NOTurTypical


Irrelevant, i voice my opinion the same as other people voice their opinion.

And sure.... say my opinion is the minority but it has no bearing in it's validity. Many people hated jews in germany, the minority didn't, does that mean they're wrong? No, it's not a cogent argument simply tallying up the number of people who believe in Religion.

If any moderator has a problem with me voicing my opinion i'm sure they'll be quick to remove it.

Thanks.

I'm done here, i've said enough, if people want to keep discussing in circular logic they can or if they wish to continue discussing their beliefs and moral systems, i am not stopping them, but i have offered my points of view, take them or leave them, or even debate or rebut them.... just don't have a little wine about it or get personal.

[edit on 11/8/10 by awake_and_aware]

[edit on 11/8/10 by awake_and_aware]

reply to post by awake_and_aware


Hardly "irrelevant", and no one said you cannot 'voice your opinion', that's completely fine, however you need to state your beliefs that God is non-existent in a thread devoted to that assertion specifically. It's a violation of the TOS to interject that belief in this forum in threads where it's already assumed God DOES exist for the sake of argument. That's precisely why we're assumed to move past Religion 101, so we can discuss things about God in greater detail.

No one says you can't have of share your beliefs, but there is a specific way to do it here on BTS, and that way is to create a separate thread where you challenge His existence.


"If you have questions that deal with the existence of God or want to ask if Mohammed actually was a real person or a myth, then please start a new discussion with a meaningful, appropriate title and you may then dominate a new discussion with this theme in mind. Please do not interject into deeper religious topics the question of the reality of a higher being. Unless stated in the topic, we are assuming in this forum that we've moved on past that point. Imagine discussing algebra while someone keeps interjecting that they still don’t believe in addition."

Thanks for your spirited contributions though.


[edit on 11-8-2010 by NOTurTypical]

reply to post by DISRAELI

. . .How often does non-Biblical religion come up with belief in one being who is both simultaneously?. . .

I doubt that it is found in the Judeo Christian religion either.
Genesis I; God created the heavens and the earth. . .made mankind. . .
Genesis II; a being we will call Yahweh, walks upon the earth and scoops up some of it in his hand and makes a man. . .

One I would not say was a "being" in the strict sense of the word, the second obviously is.

Originally posted by jmdewey60
reply to post by DISRAELI

 

. . .How often does non-Biblical religion come up with belief in one being who is both simultaneously?. . .

I doubt that it is found in the Judeo Christian religion either.
Genesis I; God created the heavens and the earth. . .made mankind. . .
Genesis II; a being we will call Yahweh, walks upon the earth and scoops up some of it in his hand and makes a man. . .

It's there in my religion, and in my understanding of the Genesis message.

But, as I've already observed, the human mind tends to find the possibility almost inconceivable.

Which is why I described the possibility as a great mystery

[edit on 11-8-2010 by DISRAELI]

Originally posted by Ghost of Chewie
I have a theory that I would like to post for contemplation:

Is my God (Christian) the same entity as say Buda, Yahweh, Vishnu, etc....just with the name changed to reflect the local people?

From what I have been able to study, there are quite a few similarities in the types of miracles performed, promises made, etc...

I do not post this to offend anyone. Just currious.

I would make sence if they were.

Any thoughts????

yes, i have thoughts on this.
same thoughts as you, in fact.

IT JUST MAKES SENSE

besides that, in the bible it says so.
Isaiah writes the words of the ONE GOD in much of his book. one of my favorite chapters is 45.
in fact, i think that might be my favorite part in all the bible!

Isaiah 45, NIV

Isaiah 45, KJV

this next one is really good, very powerful: Isaiah 45, New Century Version

I am the Lord. There is no other God;
I am the only God.
I will make you strong,
even though you don't know me,
so that everyone will know
there is no other God.
From the east to the west they will know
I alone am the Lord.

from the east to the west they will know

we don't do that.
christianity didn't do that.
no religion has any control or say-so, WHATSOEVER, in this, that the ONE GOD has planned to do.

This is what the Lord,
the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker, says:
"You ask me about what will happen.
You question me about my children.
You give me orders about what I have made.
I made the earth
and all the people living on it.
With my own hands I stretched out the skies,
and I commanded all the armies in the sky.

"you give me orders about what i have made"

orders?
what orders?
such as presuming that ONLY one certain culture, religion, era, or people have access to the truth?
by assuming favor instead of demonstrating grace?

hmmm....

so far, we can understand two things:

1. there is ONE GOD, no other
   
2. this ONE GOD made ALL people.

The Lord created the heavens.
He is the God who formed the earth and made it.
He did not want it to be empty,
but he wanted life on the earth.
This is what the Lord says:
"I am the Lord. There is no other God.
I did not speak in secret
or hide my words in some dark place.
I did not tell the family of Jacob
to look for me in empty places.
I am the Lord, and I speak the truth;
I say what is right.

two more things, now, that we can understand:

1. the ONE GOD created this world, our earth, to be full of life
   
2. this ONE GOD says what is right & speaks the truth out in the open ( not in secret )

so what is right, in regard to the population of the world and the Creator thereof?

-is it a confusing mishmash of denominational debate over which tiny handful get to live while the rest suffer the unfortunate effects of the ignorance that veils our material life form? in other words, either be snuffed out of existence or condemned to burn from now on in some nuclear furnace of biblical proportions, merely because they weren't born in a western developed nation where christianity is readily available in 31-derful flavors?

-or is it right that the Creator of life would LOVE ALL LIFE without exception, and not do anything that would jeopardize that life toward becoming death?

all living creatures love and protect their infants, with a few exceptions - none of which are homo sapiens, and depending on the circumstances and needs of the species, this nurturing and care lasts for variable time periods, several of which extend well into measuring by the year instead of season.

how could there be a supreme being worthy of the designation of GOD that did not exceed such examples and standards within that which was divinely conceived and manifested solely through the will of that same GOD?

how could GOD leave anyone out when no mother would ever leave their own child out of rescue's reach in any dangerous situation?

because evidently, physical life is dangerous just because it is physical. it can't kill us, even when it kills us, but the true risk is not finding one's way back home to the Creator, or GOD.

there is no way we would have been permitted to embark on this adventure if there were not some guarantee that we'd all end up safe and warm beside heaven's hearth when the adventure is done and our mission accomplished.

and so it seems DISRAELI is 100% accurate in the following observation:

Originally posted by DISRAELI
the human mind tends to find the possibility almost inconceivable.

the possibility that there is just ONE GOD for all people, disguised or perhaps just costumed or camouflaged or otherwise obscured or hidden, seems to be the biggest hurdle for many, most of which are devotees of one of the three Abrahamic religions...

but it's right there in the bible:

God and Savior of Israel, you are a God that people cannot see.

in the KJV, it says "thou art a God that hides thyself"

where does GOD hide GOD's self?
in plain sight!
under everyone's nose!

(only the names have changed to protect the great delusion-ment - you know the one i mean)