# God's motivation for creating life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 13, 2004, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829 "2004-07-13T02:21:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/21 "2004-07-13T18:35:06Z")
**God** : Mom, I’m bored. I wanna make stuff. Can I? **God’s Mom** : Hmmm…I don’t know about that…who know’s where it’ll lead. You better go ask your father. **God** : Dad, I’m bored. I wanna make stuff. Can I? **God’s Dad** : No. **God** : Why not? **God’s Dad** : Because I said not, that’s why not. **God** : But I’m bored…there’s nothing to do around here. **God’d Dad** : Well, go ask your mother. **God** : I did, she told me to ask you. **God’s Dad** : Oh, alright. Now go play or something, I’m trying to take a nap. That makes as much sense as anything else. ---
**Author:** ![ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZombiesAteMyBrain)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/22 "2004-07-14T00:46:02Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think it’s a mistake to try to assign a human attribute, motivation, to God. God does not need a reason or motivation, if we try to understand Him through attributes that we understand, we’re going to fail. And how exactly do you know this? Also, I thought the idea was that God made us in his own image, so presumably he gave us the ability to understand whatever he understands … why are you so sure that we’d fail to understand his reasons? If he existed at all, of course. A lot of christians talk with great certainty about ‘God’s plan’ - how can they be so sure that he has a plan for them when they don’t even know why they were ‘created’? ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/23 "2004-07-14T00:52:14Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Companionship from people that he made inferior to himself, that cannot “understand” his plans, are demanded to worship him, and are mortal and exist in vast numbers? To me this sounds like somebody with a chip on his shoulder making a race of beings exclusively to worship him, but that could just be me. You’re comparing the wrong people. Think about why he created Adam and Eve, which is what he did - it was supposed to be an idyllic, perfect world with eternal life and so forth. ./not a Christian, don’t really care to understand ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/24 "2004-07-14T03:15:52Z")
After many conversations with my born again friends, understanding God’s motivation for creating life is like a bottom line for me. If this made sense, then maybe I too could become a believer. Why would you be created so you can be born and live as a christian so you can go to heaven when you die. Why God wants you to do this is just beyond me. This may give insight into why people don’t believe and vice versa - the questioning of motivation. I strongly think that the key to understanding people is to look at motivation. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/25 "2004-07-14T05:14:38Z")
After some thinking on this topic, I realized that another way to phrase this is simply, “why are we here?” or simply, “why?” - though through a Christian theistic approach. Probably one of the larger questions in theology (not to mention philosophy in general). But I guess this is the board for “cosmic” things, so I guess it should be welcomed. I’m not a Christian theologist, however, so I’ll pass on trying to answer. Just thought I’d point out another way to look at the question. Maybe you should look at some 19th century philsophy works, which tend to be more Christian-based. (I always liked the alternate, “why does god exist?”, which can confuse people more) ---
**Author:** ![EsotericEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@EsotericEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EsotericEnigma)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/26 "2004-07-14T11:47:05Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > As a Christian, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to have absolutely no clue as to the motives of God, or even, for that matter, if God is an entity for whom the concept of a motive makes sense. “Believe, worship, believe, worship, believe, worship” Why? “Er…you’re not supposed to know why. Just do it!” ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/27 "2004-07-14T14:32:39Z")
In Christian Trinitarian thought, God did not need to create for companionship, as Companionship exists within the Trinity, but as an act of playful extravagant love, wanting to create beings to grow as close to His/Their likeness as any created beings could possibly grow. I’ve most found this idea in Eastern Orthodox writings, which also resolve the problem of Hell in this way- all created beings, having come out of the Love of the Triune God, return to the embrace of the Love of the Triune God. However, some by that time may have willed themselves to be so hardened against that Love, the Divine Embrace will be horrendous torment to them. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/28 "2004-07-14T16:20:37Z")
> [@ZombiesAteMyBrain](#): > > And how exactly do you know this? I don’t. But I’m extrapolating from the book of Job. In Job’s day, people interpreted their good fortunes as God’s favor, and their suffering as God’s anger. One lesson I think we can pull from Job is that if we try to assume God’s motivation, we’re going to get it wrong. Job discovered that suffering can happen even to the righteous, for no reason that we can comprehend. When God finally speaks, Job is not given a tidy answer for his suffering. Rather, he is rebuked for his lack of divine credentials. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, ``` Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? "Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb " ``` We’re just men. We can’t know all the answers. When Job realized this, he was restored. Similarly, we can’t begin to truly comprehend God or understand why things are- we simply cannot see things as He does. Our measurements, our rules, our logic simply are inadequate. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/29 "2004-07-14T20:39:21Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Similarly, we can’t begin to truly comprehend God or understand why things are- we simply cannot see things as He does. Our measurements, our rules, our logic simply are inadequate. As this is an inadequate explanation for me, I think that I will never become a believer. If the aim of christianity is to convert, this is a problem for many. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/30 "2004-07-14T21:21:27Z")
I’ve been told by some Seventh Day Adventist friends that humanity is kind of a trial for God. He was accussed of being a tyrant- of making a bunch of beings that could only worship him and indeed a universe that revolved around him. So he created humans and gave them free will. Hopefully humans will choose to recognize and worship him thus refuting the accusations. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/31 "2004-07-14T21:29:42Z")
“The Earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep…” (Genesis 1:2). Now doesn’t Disneyland sound a lot more fun? ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/32 "2004-07-14T21:36:30Z")
> [@even sven](#): > > I’ve been told by some Seventh Day Adventist friends that humanity is kind of a trial for God. He was accussed of being a tyrant- of making a bunch of beings that could only worship him and indeed a universe that revolved around him. So he created humans and gave them free will. Hopefully humans will choose to recognize and worship him thus refuting the accusations. Who was accusing God of being a tyrant? What ‘bunch of beings’? ---
**Author:** ![ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZombiesAteMyBrain)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/33 "2004-07-15T00:36:26Z")
> [@MelCthefirst](#): > > As this is an inadequate explanation for me, I think that I will never become a believer. If the aim of christianity is to convert, this is a problem for many. This is one of the reasons I gave up christianity at age 11. There are too many questions to which I cannot get adequate answers. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/34 "2004-07-15T00:48:00Z")
Starting from the acknowledgement that I can’t understand God’s motivations, but am likely to just extend from my own… I don’t have a problem with the idea that God created life for company, so as not to be alone in the universe. I live by myself, and I was pretty lonely, so I went to the animal shelter and got a couple of cats. They aren’t my equals, we can’t talk, they don’t understand me or why I do the things I do, but I’m still glad they’re sharing my life and I enjoy their company. I don’t think that I’m suggesting that we’re all God’s housepets. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/35 "2004-07-15T01:02:05Z")
> [@FisherQueen](#): > > Starting from the acknowledgement that I can’t understand God’s motivations, but am likely to just extend from my own… > > I don’t have a problem with the idea that God created life for company, so as not to be alone in the universe. > > I live by myself, and I was pretty lonely, so I went to the animal shelter and got a couple of cats. They aren’t my equals, we can’t talk, they don’t understand me or why I do the things I do, but I’m still glad they’re sharing my life and I enjoy their company. > > I don’t think that I’m suggesting that we’re all God’s housepets. Oh sure, I understand lonelyness totally and if I were on my own and had the power to, I too would create something! But God isn’t human, so I don’t think this is an adequate explanation - if it was, now he may be desparately wanting some alone time. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/36 "2004-07-15T01:08:09Z")
I God is perfect, then he shouldn’t feel loneliness. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/37 "2004-07-15T15:36:21Z")
> [@MelCthefirst](#): > > Who was accusing God of being a tyrant? What ‘bunch of beings’? According to SDA teaching (aka Ellen G. White), Lucifer & his rebel angels. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/38 "2004-07-15T15:56:07Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > I God is perfect, then he shouldn’t feel loneliness. Or He could feel perfectly lonely. See, if you’re an infinite intelligence, your options aren’t really constrained. That’s the problem. If you have such power and ability, you must be capable of being mind-bogglingly lonely. Or magnificently satisfied by yourself. Or both, maybe. Whatever; you can do and feel anything, so why limit yourself? ---
**Author:** ![PussyCow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@PussyCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PussyCow)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/39 "2004-07-15T16:29:34Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > I actually had a really really weird idea about this a while ago. I’m not sure if it makes perfect sense or it’s just pure insanity, but you be the judge. > > God created us out of the paternal/maternal desire to give birth to something. That something just ended up being us. > > People do a lot of talking about how cloning would be “infringing on God’s territory,” but…maybe that’s the point. Maybe, in the same way that we raise our children and instill our sense of morals into them so that they can be good parents themselves someday, God is doing the same with us. And it will therefore be our duty to someday arrive at a position of Godhood as a species and then give birth unto the next form of existence. > > Surprisingly, I didn’t have to get high to come up with a theory like this. 😛 Read any A.C. Clarke lately? I don’t think he was high either. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829/40 "2004-07-15T16:58:03Z")
Ahh, but was _God_ smoking something funny? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-motivation-for-creating-life/254829.md?page=3)