If an omnimax god had created us, we would be born with the knowledge of its existence

[picker]

I’m somewhere between atheist and agnostic. But it seems to me there is another possible: that God is an omnimax, and just doesn’t care about us. It’s entirely possible to be wholly benevolent i.e. well-wishing, but not proactively caring for/enabling. I have nothing but empathy and positive thoughts for many people, groups, situations and places while doing absolutely nothing about it.

Perhaps we’re one of many such creations. Perhaps we’re the control group.

[Quartz]

@Revtim

If an omnimax (omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent) deity had created us, we would be born with knowledge of its existence, and what it wants from us…

What flaws can you find in this argument?

For a start, your premise is a non-sequitur.

[Mijin]

@Blaster_Master

This idea only makes sense if we make certain assumptions about the motivations of an omnimax God, that we presume that he wants us all to know exactly right now. That he presumably has that ability doesn’t necessarily mean that he would have to do it.

True, but all I can do is use my fallible human brain to try to make sense of the world. If we’re going to say “god works in mysterious ways” then all bets are off: getting soap in my eyes while washing my hair might be a perfect proof of god’s existence, but I’m too stupid to recognize it.

So, using my simple brain and trying to reason out god’s actions it doesn’t make sense that god would both:

a. Want me to know he exists and
b. Make such a hash of letting me know: leaving only myths (that he knows I would disregard)

[Trinopus]

@Mijin

True, but all I can do is use my fallible human brain to try to make sense of the world. If we’re going to say “god works in mysterious ways” then all bets are off: getting soap in my eyes while washing my hair might be a perfect proof of god’s existence, but I’m too stupid to recognize it.

This is an argument I often use: a “perfect” God would be “perfectly intelligible.” “Mysterious Ways” are a failure of reason.

So, using my simple brain and trying to reason out god’s actions it doesn’t make sense that god would both:

a. Want me to know he exists and
b. Make such a hash of letting me know: leaving only myths (that he knows I would disregard)

This is one of the reason some varieties of Christianity embrace the notion of “The Elect.” God doesn’t want everyone to know him. He has chosen those he wants, and has given his revelation to them.

This is hinted at in the answer Jesus gave when asked why he spoke in parables. Matthew 13:10 ff. He doesn’t really want everyone to understand. God gives understanding to some, but not all. It isn’t up to us to hear the call; if God wants us to hear, we will.

Again, I see this as a failure of “perfection.” If God were perfect, we’d all hear and fully understand. Anything less calls into question either his ability to speak clearly to all, or his intent to provide salvation to all.

[Measure_for_Measure]

There’s a variant of the OP which operates as a folk proof of G-d. When atheists stay quiet, it becomes reasonable to argue that all humans are born with a sense of the divine. The only question becomes whether this is some sort of psychological necessity or something implanted by the Maker to begin with.

When there are one or two atheists encountered via the media, they can be dismissed as aberrations. It becomes more difficult when a number of atheists-from-birth are encountered directly.