# Is Crimes Against God Worse Than A Crime Against A Human **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 10, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128 "2010-11-10T01:31:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/21 "2010-11-10T02:43:16Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > . It is logically impossible for anything to happen against the will of an omniax God. On the other hand, a beam greater than 32.25 meters in width is against the will of a panamax God. Sorry, I’ve been waiting a while to use that joke ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/22 "2010-11-10T02:43:44Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > The seriousness of the sin doesn’t depend on whether it’s against God, nature or fellow human, it depends on the evil in the heart of the sinner. What does this even mean? How is evil even measured unless it’s by the injury intentionally (or recklessly) done to others? Evil is as evil does. > [@](#): > > I once had a religion teacher who claimed the only unforgivable sin (and therefore the worst) was the rejection of God as Savior. This sounds like it was probably his interpretation of what Jesus called the only unforgivable sin (blaspheming agaainst the Holy spirit). Just playing along with this, though, why is it evil to not believe that Jesus is my savior (or that I need to be saved from anything in the first place)? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/23 "2010-11-10T03:19:57Z")
Do you have a book of totally insane questions somewhere in your possession? Are you compiling dossiers on dopers based on their answers to these meaningless questions of yours? What can you possibly hope to gain by this endless succession of pointless posts? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/24 "2010-11-10T03:27:07Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I might be more inclined to believe in god if he wasn’t, by most accounts, so damned petty and quick to take offense. I mean, you’re GOD ferchrissake. Man the fuck up. But [Moooooooooooom](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvBt2GeSp3o), they weren’t worshiping me and stuff! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/25 "2010-11-10T03:30:18Z")
Quoth **UDS** : > [@](#): > > The question presumes that it is possible to commit a crime against people which is not a crime against God. > > Christians - and I suspect the adherents of many other religions - would deny this. For them, therefore, the question has no meaning. This is what I was going to say. God commanded us to love one another, so therefore a crime against another human is against God’s command, therefore a crime against God. The distinction isn’t completely absent, though, since it _is_ possible to conceive of a crime against God which is not a crime against other humans. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/26 "2010-11-10T04:05:40Z")
Hey god, I fart\* in your general direction. Also, your father smells of elderberries. - _No humans were harmed in the making or dispelling of said fart._ ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/27 "2010-11-10T04:14:22Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > This. It is not only invulnerable, but it already knows exactly what we are going to do and arranged for us to do it. > > On the other hand, there’s also the problem of defining “crime”. Gods being a bit thin on the ground the law doesn’t really get into the question of whether or not a god qualifies as a person under the law. So legally speaking I think it would be up in the air whether or not, say, stealing from a god is a crime any more than stealing from a wild animal is. Not that arguing that position in court against Zeus would be very healthy. Well, you could always team up with Hades and Poseidon, I guess. And squeal to Hera about the whole Swan/Bull thing. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/28 "2010-11-10T04:22:19Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > What if He simply permitted you to disobey Him but not force you to? I’m an adult. God’s not the boss of me. If He wants to get on my case, let Him try. Assuming generously that He exists. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/29 "2010-11-10T04:39:16Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Assuming God as an infinite, omniscient being existed would a crime against Him be more immoral than a crime against a fellow human being? 1. What jurisdiction? 2. What crime? You can’t harm him. You can’t kill him. You can’t steal from him. He’s too much of a public figure to libel or slander him. 3. Who would judge? He can’t, nor can anyone who works for for him, and there isn’t anywhere you can have a trial where he doesn’t have undo influence. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/30 "2010-11-10T05:33:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > 1. Who would judge? He can’t, nor can anyone who works for for him, and there isn’t anywhere you can have a trial where he doesn’t have undo influence. The amusing thing about the underlined typo is that in this context, it actually works. If God doesn’t like the trial’s outcome, he can just his cosmic Control-Z button. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/31 "2010-11-10T06:20:06Z")
Fuck NO! ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/32 "2010-11-10T06:25:23Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > which is why > the acts of God in Torah make sense & actually shows great patience. He’s right there & they’re bitching & worshipping idols & having orgies right in front of Him. Why is his presence then more obvious than now? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/33 "2010-11-10T06:28:23Z")
Why does he give a shit about orgies and idol worship anyway? How do those things hurt him? ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/34 "2010-11-10T06:56:34Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Do you have a book of totally insane questions somewhere in your possession? Are you compiling dossiers on dopers based on their answers to these meaningless questions of yours? What can you possibly hope to gain by this endless succession of pointless posts? This. ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/35 "2010-11-10T10:37:09Z")
Of course they are, but crimes against God are not nearly as bad as crimes against Unicorns! ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/36 "2010-11-10T10:58:44Z")
The responses here underline why the Omni-plex God you posit is, in fact, impossible… But I digress. To your question, (counter-factually) assuming the Omniplex God as given, I’ll join DtC and others in saying that the idea of “a crime against” such a god simply doesn’t make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/37 "2010-11-10T11:02:26Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Why does he give a shit about orgies and idol worship anyway? How do those things hurt him? Yes, because an omnibenevolent god would only care about things that hurt him. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/38 "2010-11-10T11:21:27Z")
God cares about everything. Kinda like Gladys Kravitz. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/39 "2010-11-10T11:55:02Z")
Assuming the hypothetical, it depends on the rules that said god laid down for humanity. A) S/he/it is a violent god and loves it when you commit crimes against humans. B) S/he/it is a benevolent god and hates it when you commit crimes against humans. C) S/he/it is a benevolent god but hates it when you commit crimes against s/he/itself. D) Etc. Answer appropriately. Stupid question really. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128/40 "2010-11-10T13:34:41Z")
Crimes against humans are much worse. Also, your assumptions are unwarranted. Also also, I can’t see how one can even commit a crime against an omnipotent being. Next! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crimes-against-god-worse-than-a-crime-against-a-human/560128.md?page=3)