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Significance to God?

Kilgore Trout

Misanthropic Humanist
If there exists some type of conscious force/entity which could be described as god, what makes anyone think that we would be of particular significance to it? Or, even that life at all would be of particular significance to it? We are simply collections of elements organized and interacting in a particular way. So are planets, stars, and gases.

Is there any reason to think such an entity would apply special significance to the collections of elements which comprise life over the collections of elements which comprise what we define as non-life?
 

Eliot Wild

Irreverent Agnostic Jerk
And I make a dang fine Bloody Mary to go with those eggs. I don't know about the rest of you saps, but the divine creator of the universe loves Luis and I. Ya'll need to find some skills.
 

Alex_G

Enlightner of the Senses
If there exists some type of conscious force/entity which could be described as god, what makes anyone think that we would be of particular significance to it? Or, even that life at all would be of particular significance to it? We are simply collections of elements organized and interacting in a particular way. So are planets, stars, and gases.

Is there any reason to think such an entity would apply special significance to the collections of elements which comprise life over the collections of elements which comprise what we define as non-life?


Well the best way to deal with a spoilt brat is to use a bit of reverse psychology. I ignore him, provoking him to show some interest. Whether he shows or not is win/win for me. :p
 

Alex_G

Enlightner of the Senses
and apologies for the non-serious contribution, i hope you conclude rightly that i agree with the OP, why indeed would he? I can see no reasons...
 

Levite

Higher and Higher
If there exists some type of conscious force/entity which could be described as god, what makes anyone think that we would be of particular significance to it? Or, even that life at all would be of particular significance to it? We are simply collections of elements organized and interacting in a particular way. So are planets, stars, and gases.

Is there any reason to think such an entity would apply special significance to the collections of elements which comprise life over the collections of elements which comprise what we define as non-life?

I think the general idea is that God created all life, so all life is of interest to God. Probably helps clear matters up if you introduce the concept of a soul, too.

And, as far as I know, God is interested in the non-living parts of the universe, too.

Or so I've been told....
 

javajo

Well-Known Member
The Bible says that God made us in his own image. He enjoys fellowship with us even though the whole creation groans and travails because of sin and the fall. God so loved the world that he sent his only son to reconcile us back to him and restore that fellowship and so that we may have everlasting life. God promises a new heaven and earth, new in the greek meaning renewed, like when it calls us new creations when we are born again, same person, body, but changed by God dwelling and working in us. So the earth will be restored with no more sin and death. God showed his great love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly so we may become...godly.
 

Kilgore Trout

Misanthropic Humanist
The Bible says that God made us in his own image. He enjoys fellowship with us even though the whole creation groans and travails because of sin and the fall. God so loved the world that he sent his only son to reconcile us back to him and restore that fellowship and so that we may have everlasting life. God promises a new heaven and earth, new in the greek meaning renewed, like when it calls us new creations when we are born again, same person, body, but changed by God dwelling and working in us. So the earth will be restored with no more sin and death. God showed his great love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly so we may become...godly.

So we have special significance to god because we wrote a book which says so?
 

Willamena

Just me
Premium Member
If there exists some type of conscious force/entity which could be described as god, what makes anyone think that we would be of particular significance to it? Or, even that life at all would be of particular significance to it? We are simply collections of elements organized and interacting in a particular way. So are planets, stars, and gases.
Ironically, "particular" is precisely the significance I'd imagine we have to "god", since we are the ones given to regard ourselves as "individual." Apart from that regard, we are just the organized collection of elements (amongst other images of unity).
 

sandandfoam

Veteran Member
There are 2 especially unusual things going on with us. We are alive and we are self aware. We can peer a long long way into the void and nowhere else have we found anything similar.

To my mind this suggests significance.
 

Kilgore Trout

Misanthropic Humanist
There are 2 especially unusual things going on with us. We are alive and we are self aware. We can peer a long long way into the void and nowhere else have we found anything similar.

To my mind this suggests significance.

So, you're transferring the significance seen from your limited perspective onto god?
 

PolyHedral

Superabacus Mystic
There are 2 especially unusual things going on with us. We are alive and we are self aware. We can peer a long long way into the void and nowhere else have we found anything similar.

To my mind this suggests significance.
To my mind, this suggests we haven't looked far enough. Space is big.
 

Vansdad

Member
If there exists some type of conscious force/entity which could be described as god, what makes anyone think that we would be of particular significance to it? Or, even that life at all would be of particular significance to it? We are simply collections of elements organized and interacting in a particular way. So are planets, stars, and gases.

Is there any reason to think such an entity would apply special significance to the collections of elements which comprise life over the collections of elements which comprise what we define as non-life?

I think the general idea is that God created all life, so all life is of interest to God. Probably helps clear matters up if you introduce the concept of a soul, too.

And, as far as I know, God is interested in the non-living parts of the universe, too.

Or so I've been told....
I too cannot help but agree with this concept. I believe life would have to be one of the most important "things" in this universe. Especially when you consider the concept of a soul.
 

Songbird

She rules her life like a bird in flight
I can bake bacon, and If theres a god that doesn't like bacon I do not wan't to believe in him/her/it.

Mmmmm....

Think I'll start a religion. Baconistianity. Verily, and She did see that bacon was good unto each one, and the Age of Bacon was a time of great peace and tastiness.
 

javajo

Well-Known Member
So we have special significance to god because we wrote a book which says so?
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16

14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:14-21

Peter said they were eyewitnesses, that these are not craftily made up stories to deceive people. He knew he would soon die proclaiming Christ. He even said if you don't believe our eyewitness account, We have something even better, prophecy. Prophecies fulfilled in real world history such as Daniel fore-telling the great kingdoms of the world. Prophecies fulfilled by Christ's first coming and death and resurrection, 27 of which were fulfilled the hours surrounding his death. And these were not written on the mere whim of man, but they were God-breathed, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God himself.

 
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Onkara

Well-Known Member
If there exists some type of conscious force/entity which could be described as god, what makes anyone think that we would be of particular significance to it? Or, even that life at all would be of particular significance to it? We are simply collections of elements organized and interacting in a particular way. So are planets, stars, and gases.

Is there any reason to think such an entity would apply special significance to the collections of elements which comprise life over the collections of elements which comprise what we define as non-life?

Hello Mr Trout
Here is my take on this. The significant lies in the origin. Consciousness is the origin, the "Creator" if easier to conceptualise, as all knowing and experience depends on consciousness. Consciousness precedes everything.

The question could be asked, why does matter exist? Matter, as you describe above as collections of elements organised and interacting exists in order for consciousness to experience itself. The simile of light is used: If you shine a tourch in a completely dark room, the reflection of the light allows you to sense and experience objects in your environment. These objects are matter, and the light is your consciousness. Without the light, there is no experience, just darkness as there is in deep sleep when the mind and senses are not 'illuminating' any data or thoughts.

Even insentient matter depends on consciousness for it to be reported as existing. The point to keep in mind is that it is your consciousness and it precedes even your body.

If the above is not clear/reasonable on first look, please say :)
 
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