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Theists Mostly: God
- Thread starter Rival
- Start date
PureX
Veteran Member
Yes. Very.
"God" is the placeholder for the mystery of existence ... the what and how and why of it all. It's why we invent all sorts of images and concepts to represent that mystery for us and to us, so we can feel as if we understand it, somewhat. And maybe can control it, somewhat. A lot of people need to feel as if they know and control their own destiny. Some use the ideal of science to create that illusion for themselves, but most still use the ideal of God to do that.
The mystery exists, and confuses and frightens us, because we humans don't like not knowing. Knowing things is our "superpower". It's how we survive and thrive. So when we are faced with our not knowing, we feel vulnerable, and fearful. And this makes "God" a very important abstract idealization for us.
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Colt
Well-Known Member
No, God is absolute truth. "God is the first truth and the last fact; therefore does all truth take origin in him, while all facts exist relative to him."
Why? As he said, "I AM that I AM"
But is not 'absolute truth' itself an abstract concept when applied in this way? 'Truth' is a concept many have argued over.
Let's first note that you chose not to cite the source of that bit of pomposity. Allow me to help: Wikisource: The Urantia Book.
Speaking of books, a personal favorite is: Martin Gardner's Urantia: The Great Cult Mystery,
For those interested, see Wikipedia: Martin Gardner.
Before attempting an answer, might I ask for a concrete definition of this "God" you're referencing?
I left it vague so any Theist with any God-concept could answer based on his own concept. So answer based on whichever God you're most familiar with, or what comes to mind when you think of God.
Colt
Well-Known Member
The (not God) Finites are forced to conceptualize when pondering or discussing the Infinite God. But that doesn't mean that God is ultimately an abstraction.
Wildswanderer
Veteran Member
No. There's nothing abstract about the reality of the Holy Spirit moving in the world.
paradox
(㇏(•̀ᵥᵥ•́)ノ)
Abstract
Concept
Abstract concept
Therefore whether God is an abstract concept or not depends on:
1. How does one define God
2. Whether one believes God is real
PureX
Veteran Member
Just to point out: an automobile is an 'abstract' concept. That doesn't mean that it isn't grounded in an experience of reality. In fact, all abstract concepts will be grounded in an experience of reality. Even if the abstraction is misleading or inaccurate. And of course there will be levels and degrees of abstraction involved.
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syo
Well-Known Member
No. They are real.
syo
Well-Known Member
They are not concepts. They are gods.
Colt
Well-Known Member
If I said I went down to VA Beach where they have a boardwalk and lots of tall hotels, in order for you to understand what I'm saying you would have to "conceptualize", create a picture in real time as you listened. While its true that there is a VA Beach with a boardwalk and tall hotels, the "picture" that you envisioned in your mind would not be entirely accurate. You might hold that vision until actually visiting VA Beach when you would have a new, more accurate picture. With God no matter how far, one progresses in the universe there will always be more to discover about God, our picture, our understanding will keep evolving.
"God" as a word is abstract. Many years ago I wrote this:
God is a word many define
as a creature made of straw
or perhaps as reverse canine
who from clouds gives down law.
So many claim "God is mine"
or create theological slaw,
I would like to draw a line
and on bad definitions gnaw.
The problem is that words are the medium of the intellect's expression and are thus limited by the intellect. A human trying to under the living divine reality can be likened to an ant trying to understand human intelligence.
There are a few through the ages who have experienced that reality and use words to give a hint to the rest of us.
There are experiences some have that serve as tastes of the reality. There are songs and dances which express a sense of the divine.
Up until it becomes art and inspiration.
I should add, God can also be seen as a concrete-literal deity object. Then later on, as an abstract concept. Then later on, as art and inspiration. Then later on realized as one's own Reality itself. So it's progressive in that way, one could say, on a path of Self realization.
Heyo
Veteran Member
I don't know and neither does anybody else.
But admitting to god being an abstract concept would help theists a lot. Abstract concepts aren't real and therefore don't need any evidence. God being not only a concept but a construct doesn't even need proof - just the consent of the believers.
But my guess is that consent of believers only exists once the last but one believer dies or de-converts.