Exaltist Ethan
Bridging the Gap Between Believers and Skeptics
I recently had said that monotheism is a contradiction because it is impossible to not be of the Universe yet be involved in it in so many ways. That's probably not true. I mean, look at the Internet. I'm interacting with all of you despite not being in your house. But exactly what does God do to cause the interaction between himself and the prayers and worship and other ways people connect to him? I know there's Jesus, the Son, who is supposed to be God incarnate himself, which I would argue almost makes Christianity a non-monotheistic religion. Does God operate outside the Universe and use telephone lines, satellites, wi-fi, and Bluetooth to connect to us lonely mortals down here on Earth? Of course an omnipotent monotheistic God can do whatever he wants, so he has the ability to interact with the Universe and still not be part of it, in the same way I am not where you are right now and you can still read this.
But in monotheistic religions, is it not a contradiction to believe that God can exist in the Universe in some way? Is the Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost part of this Universe or is it part of God? It seems to me that most people who say they are monotheists are more likely closer to what I believe, panentheism. The contradictions and differences between God and the Universe doesn't exist in that theology. Panentheism is really just a combination of pantheism and monotheism if you really think about it. My idea is that there is no cosmic intelligence that created everything, but reality itself is becoming more intelligent due to us. Many people would believe then that I am an atheist but I still ascribe to an idea of an afterlife, eschatology, among many other things that put me more in the realm of the believers.
A monotheistic God should be able allowed to intervene yet not be of this Universe, because of his omnipotence. But realistically what is and should be this interaction between us humans and this God? Is it just Jesus, prayers and "signs" from above, or is there more to it? Jesus was supposed to come back yet most people agree that he still hasn't. The Universe is forever changing, but God never changes, so how does something that never changes is still able to interact with a Universe where things change every single day? If it is not a contradiction to believe that if God never changes, then it is impossible for him to involve himself in our affairs?
I purposely put this in the monotheism forum here on RF. Please, if you ascribe to a monotheistic religion, try to explain to me how a God that doesn't change is able to intervene in the behalf of our affairs. I'm really curious as to the theology of what appears to me to be a self-contradiction when they say God isn't nature yet is always intrinsically evolved in the lives of ordinary people. I would argue that most people, even Christians, would argue that there is no direct connection between themselves and God, and that when they pray God doesn't typically directly answer those prayers with spoken words. And if he did ... you'd be considered mentally ill.
So, if you are a monotheist, of any religion, explain to me how God interacts with you despite not being part of the Universe in any way. And please try to explain it to me in a way that isn't the same stories religion teaches. I realize that God can do anything He wishes. If that is the case, why interact with us in a way that is so elusive and brings so many divisions between so many people in history? How can so many people be wrong about the way God interacts with the world yet your beliefs just happen to be the right one? If monotheism is correct, and God does deeply care about us, why isn't this notion built into the very fabric of who we are as a people? Why do so many people argue that either God doesn't intervene, like deism, or doesn't exist at all, like atheism? Why would a monotheistic God create a reality like that? I get there is supposed to be free will involved here, and that free will is important. But why is God willing to cause sin, death, and so many other issues because he gave us free will is beyond my level of understanding and rationale of divinity and God Himself. Unless ... this God isn't omnipotent, and cannot directly change the minds of people, like in the movie Bruce Almighty. But according to your religions, He is.
TL;DR - If you don't want to read my thoughts and still want to contribute to the thread, just explain to non-monotheists, including myself, why God chooses to interact with us humans in the way He does. That's basically all I'm trying to understand at this point.