I can end this once and for all. . .
You are not God.
How do I know? Because God used to wear #15 for the New Jersey Devils, and is now an assistant coach for 'em.
Tripler
Trust me. As a Devil worshipper, I know these things.
Do you believe that words have meanings?
The term God is heavily debated as to it’s specific attributes.
But amoung those debates, the idea of God, which I have presented to you, is agreed upon. It is the most basic version of the word “God”.
Please explain to me how my definition of God is inaccurate. If there is a definition of “God” out there that does not specify God equates to “highest spiritual power”- as a classification, let me know. I’ll gladly concede.
Losing any agreeable definition of God turns this into a circular semanticfest. As long as there is an agreeable definition, it is a substantive discussion.
Let’s stay on the same page. Any concerns with what I see as a definition? Do you not understand it?
If God is not the definition I am providing, there is no need for “God” to exist in the lexicon.
thanks!
Do you believe that words have meanings?
I gotta tell you, God, you keep bringing more and more undefined terms into the mix. Now, you’ve brought a term of faith into the mix, the word, “believe.” You’ll want to define it, but then not allow me to use it in MY arguments. No fair, God! Belief has nothing to do with what is, is, does it? Cuz then we’re on a whole new roller coaster, and I’ll need another Cuba Libre. (Oh wait! There is no such thing as a Cuba Libre.)
You want to avoid circular reasoning by defining terms, and yet are asking me to accept terms as defined by “believing words have meaning.” I believe I am a Blueberry Pop-Tart (or maybe just a tart…) and I believe that that means I am the president of Freedonia. Yep. I believe words have meaning. I just don’t believe in who is defining their meanings.
You want me to accept the “popular” or “established” meanings and ideas associated with God. News flash: I can believe what I will, live how I will, and define how I will. That usually frustrates the Hell out of most folks, making them fit for Heaven, I suppose.
You’re basically saying that, in order for me to enter into your argument, and to prove that you are not God, I have to agree to certain terms and definitions as decreed and agreed to by you and your nameless, cowardly accomplices. Nice try.
**
I’ll simply rephrase it to “Do words have meanings?”
I appologize for my use of “believe” - I was using it sinonimusly with “understand” or “know”. That was sloppy.
**
See my above paragraph.
No, just disprove that I meet the criteria for God. Criteria that I have explain in the definition I provided you. This is why I am asking if the definition is sufficient.
I hope this helps.
Looks like the folks in the white coats missed a stop.
“No, just disprove that I meet the criteria for God. Criteria that I have explain in the definition I provided you. This is why I am asking if the definition is sufficient.”
Hell no, it’s not sufficient! You’ve provided precious little, for a guy who is sometimes known as the All Sufficient One. You’ve yet to define yourself, cuz you’re playing YOUR cards close to the vest. I, OTOH, have been totally forthcoming with you.
All thru this pointless (yet, entertaining, because I have no life) thread, you’ve avoided supporting the unstated purpose of your question. You have not provided any definition of God, if you had it would look like: I think I AM God, because… and now you prove to me that I am not.
**I refuse your silly circular attempts at getting everyone else to define you. That’s pretty co-dependent of you, God, ol’ buddy, and unworthy of worship from ME! Paging Dr. Phil… **
Oh. Almost forgot: “I appologize for my use of “believe” - I was using it sinonimusly with “understand” or “know”. That was sloppy.”
Okay God, let’s talk about sloppy as YOURS TRULY defines it. Sloppy is trying to sound intelligent but having no use for spell-check or the dictionary. Okay, I’ll reveal my sources, since you won’t: Webster’s Dictionary. As in Noah Webster.
Now, there’s plenty of room for arguments about who agrees on what spelling means, and if it really matters as a tool for communication. Wanna go there, too? Because, I wouldn’t be afraid to defend a popular position on spelling. I’d use footnotes and everything, cite spelling gods and their minions, and give you a good go for you money, God. Honest.
Oh. And if we went “all the way” I’d actually avoid all the spelling shortcuts so popular in cyberspace. Now, there’s another fun topic: Can we mix and match our usage? And then, if we did, would misspelling “synonymously” even be an issue? Hmmmm.
So many questions. So few gods. Plenty of spelling nannies, though.
God, you are just too cute, EJ!
God has forsaken me. Sigh.
ExecutiveJesus’s hotline seems disconnected due to his unanimous impeachment. oops… try again…
Proof:
Everyone with two heads and three kidneys is God.
ExecutiveJesus has two heads and three kidneys.
Therefore, ExecutiveJesus is God.
On the other hand:
Nobody with green hair and a club foot is God.
ExecutiveJesus has green hair and a club foot.
Therefore, Executive Jesus is not God.
Self contradictory statements. Check.
Veiled or confusing statements. Check.
“I was only kidding” statements. Check.
Yup, yer not god. Yer a televangelist that thinks he speaks for god.
You’re not god because I said so. How’s that for blatant and neglected logic?
Please explain to me how these statements contradict each other. I also ask you bring context to the statement you quoted, “I am not not God.” - The italics are there for a reason - in context, you may understand.
Who is God?
In Judaism, God is YHWH. YHWH is infinite and has full infinite attributes. YHWH is the creator of all things. Human salvation comes through repentance, prayer, and obedience to the Law.
In Christianity, God is YHWH (Yahweh). Yahweh is infinite and has full infinite attributes. Yahweh is triune: the Father, the Son (Jesus–God incarnate), and the Holy Spirit. Yahweh is the creator of all things. Human salvation comes only by Yahweh’s grace and Jesus’ atoning work, received through our faith.
In Islam, God is Allah. Allah is infinite and has infinite attributes. Allah has absolute unity (no Trinity). Human salvation comes through human effort (good deeds out-weigh bad deeds)
In Hinduism, God is Brahman. Brahman is an impersonal, monistic (“all is one”) force. We are one with the universe (monism); the universe is God (pantheism); thus, we are One with God and are God. Human salvation comes through liberation from illusion and ignorance (attaining enlightenment).
In the New Age movement, God is a cosmic force. This cosmic force is in each of us; therefore we are gods (monism and pantheism). Human salvation comes through gaining a new perspective in which we see the interconnectedness of all things. (Westernized Eastern philosophy)
In Atheism, God is essentially oneself. It demonstrates a willful denial of all that our creator has revealed. Human salvation (avoidance of judgment and punishment, actually) comes through death–ceasing to exist.
The description of God given by ExecutiveJesus: “highest spiritual power”, indicates that ExecutiveJesus may in some way subscribe to some form of Eastern philosophy (or a version of New Age). If so, then a) this thread is not at all pointless or stupid, b) ExecutiveJesus’ definition of God is valid for this debate, and c) ExecutiveJesus’ responses are reasonable (based upon this worldview). Like Shirley Maclaine, who declared: “I AM GOD”, perhaps ExecutiveJesus is attempting to “attain enlightenment” by gaining his perceived proper perspective, that of his realization of his Oneness with the “force” (or whatever).
I may be rationalizing, ExecutiveJesus, so please correct me if I’m completely off base here. You sound like you are either searching for truth, or attempting to solidify the philosophical position you currently hold. Either way, ExecutiveJesus presented a legitimate topic for debate, and GD dopers failed to deliver much more than insults and jokes.
Just so we know where you’re coming from, ExecutiveJesus, perhaps you can give us some ideas about your beliefs:
- What are your beliefs concerning God?
- What are your beliefs concerning man?
- What are your beliefs concerning sin?
- What are your beliefs concerning salvation?
One what do you base that God does not need a spell checker from time to time?
How many times do I have to convey this concept?
I think we’re going on 20 here…
:rolleyes:
And yet you post the same inane response to any question, joke or serious.
Talk about tedious.
:rolleyes: yourself, bud
The most respectable post I’ve seen thus far.
Thank you for your response, ImNotMad2. I knew Straight Dopers could think outside the textbook. 
**
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I believe that I have the highest level of control over what I define as “existence”. In order to keep this short, I won’t elaborate unless requested.
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I believe that “a man” (or woman) is their own God.
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I believe the ultimate sin is neglecting one’s potential.
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I believe that salvation is found via aquisition of selfish desire.
Again - these are very simplified answers.
It’s more efficient to see what needs to be addressed before addressing.