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A question of the use of the word God

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
From time to time it seems like a few people get offended or frustrated when people use the word God or the combination of God and truth?

If you are one of those who feel this.
Why would you get upset or frustrated if the word God is in combination with the word truth?
Is it bad of any believer to use the word God, Truth, or other words indication their belief in a deity that you do not believe in?:confused:

The question comes from curiosity, not as a threat toward you if you find the words described in the OP to be an aversion for you.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
Some philosopher whose name I've forgotten said that "all philosophy is about word definition". For example, my grandmother told me that God was in the sky/heaven (same word in German). When I flew on an airplane, I didn't see any God in the sky. So, I found that "God exists (in the sky)" is an untruth. If I defined God the Abrahamic/Christian way, this would be one more point for the atheists' camp which considers truth "observable". On the other hand, if I really want to believe in God really bad, this could become an utter conviction, a "subjective truth" for me although it's not observable.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Some philosopher whose name I've forgotten said that "all philosophy is about word definition". For example, my grandmother told me that God was in the sky/heaven (same word in German). When I flew on an airplane, I didn't see any God in the sky. So, I found that "God exists (in the sky)" is an untruth. If I defined God the Abrahamic/Christian way, this would be one more point for the atheists' camp which considers truth "observable". On the other hand, if I really want to believe in God really bad, this could become an utter conviction, a "subjective truth" for me although it's not observable.
You made me curious this time :)

If you can not see it, does it not exist? or does it exist if you learned it is there but not in your view right now?
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
From time to time it seems like a few people get offended or frustrated when people use the word God or the combination of God and truth?

If you are one of those who feel this.
Why would you get upset or frustrated if the word God is in combination with the word truth?
Is it bad of any believer to use the word God, Truth, or other words indication their belief in a deity that you do not believe in?:confused:

The question comes from curiosity, not as a threat toward you if you find the words described in the OP to be an aversion for you.

No god has ever been shown to exist whereas truth tends to be considered by many people as being in accordance with fact or reality and is defined as that

There are some who take truth to be whatever they believe to be true and this is also a valid definition.

So there we have conflicting definitions which will cause disagreement
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
You made me curious this time :)

If you can not see it, does it not exist? or does it exist if you learned it is there but not in your view right now?

I modified my view of God "so that it fits". Atheists might say it's a cheap trick and they are probably right, but I'm fine right now. I believe in Brahman, I believe that "God is a state of mind", which is present but not limited to my own mind, and also transcendental. In the version of Hinduism I follow, the "observable" material world is ruled by Nature/Matter, symbolized by the goddess Durga. I believe that God is an observer, and does not personally interfere with/descend into this world unless he is pleaded to do so.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
No god has ever been shown to exist whereas truth tends to be considered by many people as being in accordance with fact or reality and is defined as that

There are some who take truth to be whatever they believe to be true and this is also a valid definition.

So there we have conflicting definitions which will cause disagreement
This might be a difficult question to answer, But what do you expect God to be? I mean to prove God, does it mean it is a "person" suddenly appear in front of you? or in your own understand, if God exists and you were able to see God, What do you think you would see God as?
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I modified my view of God "so that it fits". Atheists might say it's a cheap trick and they are probably right, but I'm fine right now. I believe in Brahman, I believe that "God is a state of mind", which is present but not limited to my own mind, and also transcendental. In the version of Hinduism I follow, the "observable" material world is ruled by Nature/Matter, symbolized by the goddess Durga. I believe that God is an observer, and does not personally interfere with/descend into this world unless he is pleaded to do so.
Thank you for explaining this.
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Truth seems to be a construct cherished and people like to think they can discern when it's there. Though defining it could prove difficult and subjective. Like Jesus may see himself as the truth. But for some of us, we first have to stop and ask, "Wait. What is truth?"
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
This might be a difficult question to answer, But what do you expect God to be? I mean to prove God, does it mean it is a "person" suddenly appear in front of you? or in your own understand, if God exists and you were able to see God, What do you think you would see God as?

Very difficult question considering there is no coherent definition.

What i believe god to be is a figment of a persons imagination. I back that up with an MRI scan of the god spot(s). The areas of the brain stimulated by a believers thoughts of god
fmri-scan.jpg


I also find it interesting that god appears to think exactly the same as the believer does.

This means gods exist in the mind, as thought.

If a god existed outside the mind, with such power attributed to it surely it should be capable of proving its own existence. I have said this often and believer have replied "god doesn't want to".

To that ... Why?
And
Funny how they seem to know precisely what god thinks. And its exactly the same as their thinking.
 

Jedster

Well-Known Member
From time to time it seems like a few people get offended or frustrated when people use the word God or the combination of God and truth?

If you are one of those who feel this.
Why would you get upset or frustrated if the word God is in combination with the word truth?
Is it bad of any believer to use the word God, Truth, or other words indication their belief in a deity that you do not believe in?:confused:

The question comes from curiosity, not as a threat toward you if you find the words described in the OP to be an aversion for you.

Searching for truth, Truth or truths is more intuitive than searching for any god, which involves a concept which is taught.
Believers seem to equate finding God with finding truth.

It would be of interest to see a discussion on truth without the use of any scriptures or any other hearsay. Just the individuals experiences.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Searching for truth, Truth or truths is more intuitive than searching for any god, which involves a concept which is taught.
Believers seem to equate finding God with finding truth.

It would be of interest to see a discussion on truth without the use of any scriptures or any other hearsay. Just the individuals experiences.
Finding the ultimate truth is Finding God :)
To believers anyway
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
From time to time it seems like a few people get offended or frustrated when people use the word God or the combination of God and truth?

If you are one of those who feel this.
Why would you get upset or frustrated if the word God is in combination with the word truth?
Is it bad of any believer to use the word God, Truth, or other words indication their belief in a deity that you do not believe in?:confused:

The question comes from curiosity, not as a threat toward you if you find the words described in the OP to be an aversion for you.

I wouldn't say I get offended or frustrated. I just think don't find the word useful when describing the highest principle being, because when most people who do not identify as Dharmic hear the word, they default to the God of Abraham. When Dharmics use the word "God," this is usually not the god they are referring to.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I wouldn't say I get offended or frustrated. I just think don't find the word useful when describing the highest principle being, because when most people who do not identify as Dharmic hear the word, they default to the God of Abraham. When Dharmics use the word "God," this is usually not the god they are referring to.
Would it help to call it higher state of consciousness? Instead of God
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
I'll also add that for many that use the word "God" and "truth" use these when describing a personal god or personal truth. From my perspective, personal gods and personal truths are relative in this reality.
 
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