Why would God care? (blood, creation, bible, point of view, Abraham)

Phasmid · #1 05-09-2008, 01:11 PM

If a being capable of creating all we see/have yet to see existed, what in the name of T. Pratchett would it see in us lowly humans?

I can see it from the "love" point of view. I mean humans are much more complex than dogs, but we still love them as pets and care a great deal for them and they return the sentiment. But really, is that enough for an all-powerful being to come down and go through some strange and bloody sacrifice for us? Ants are far less complex than humans, they have interest for us, sure, but would any sane person die for an ant?

We can't possibly be interesting to God, from an intellectual point of view, since God knows all. So why? Why would God bother even watching us? Why would God bother with ANYTHING. If he's everything, it'd make more sense to end his existence... he'd have little to gain from existing.

Random · #2 05-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phasmid

We can't possibly be interesting to God, from an intellectual point of view, since God knows all. So why? Why would God bother even watching us? Why would God bother with ANYTHING. If he's everything, it'd make more sense to end his existence... he'd have little to gain from existing.

Perhaps you expect too much and give too little. Desire for the non-existence of God is not the same as God not existing. And if there is a God, obviously you're referring to Deity here, then it just might not be unreasonable to expect that he pops by to check on how we're doing and correct some mistakes we've made, from time to time.

Phasmid · #3 05-09-2008, 02:08 PM

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Originally Posted by Random

Perhaps you expect too much and give too little. Desire for the non-existence of God is not the same as God not existing.

Quite so...

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Originally Posted by Random

And if there is a God, obviously you're referring to Deity here, then it just might not be unreasonable to expect that he pops by to check on how we're doing and correct some mistakes we've made, from time to time.

I'm referring specifically to the Abrahamic god of the bible. That changes things, since he's supposedly omniscient.

Random · #4 05-09-2008, 02:14 PM

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Originally Posted by Phasmid

I'm referring specifically to the Abrahamic god of the bible. That changes things, since he's supposedly omniscient.

Yes, I suppose it does change things alright. Question is, can God see all possibilities without setting the destiny of His creation in stone? If He's truly God, he can make this so. Wouldn't you agree? Existence, certainly our existence, would thence be far more interesting for Him that way, wouldn't it?

Wandered Off · #5 05-09-2008, 02:18 PM

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Originally Posted by Phasmid

Why would God bother even watching us?

It's just natural anthropocentric thinking. As Montesquieu observed, "If triangles had a god, they would give him three sides." Assuming that it's all about us provides a sense of purpose, a way to make sense of our existence, but the vast majority of the universe is empty space. If a being created the universe, it seems very unlikely it would obsess over us, but "Get over yourselves" just isn't an inspiring message.

Phasmid · #6 05-09-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random

Yes, I suppose it does change things alright. Question is, can God see all possibilities without setting the destiny of His creation in stone? If He's truly God, he can make this so. Wouldn't you agree? Existence, certainly our existence, would thence be far more interesting for Him that way, wouldn't it?

Indeed. But the problem still remains that he'd still know for a fact, which course of action we'd take, even if he could see all over options available.

I suppose it'd be like looking at a spider's web and seeing all the paths you could take to get from one side to the other. Despite the many paths, it's still full of holes and it's still just 1 object, if you will.

ChristineES · #7 05-09-2008, 05:32 PM

You might as well ask why I bother with my 5 cats.

Jaiket · #8 05-09-2008, 09:10 PM

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Originally Posted by ChristineES

You might as well ask why I bother with my 5 cats.

The relationship is pet and owner?

Phasmid · #9 05-10-2008, 06:50 AM

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Originally Posted by ChristineES

You might as well ask why I bother with my 5 cats.

I'd imagine it's because you love them. But the gap between a cats and a humans is small compared to the gap between god and humans. It'd be like us loving a spec of dust...