# My take on God, if anybody cares. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 25, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372 "2011-12-25T19:16:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [December 26, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/21 "2011-12-26T02:09:06Z")
> [@nole](#): > > That isn’t completely inaccurate, I am just trying to rationalize what “God is everything” actually means. I’m not sure _how_ one clarifies “God is everything”. If something is everything, aren’t further attempts at explanation either contradictory or redundant? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/22 "2011-12-26T02:20:45Z")
Yahweh, Allah, Zeus, Codora, etc. are some of his names. “God” is his job description. Deep. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/23 "2011-12-26T02:23:06Z")
Somebody please move this to MPSIMS. This hardly qualifies as a debate. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/24 "2011-12-26T02:45:59Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Somebody please move this to MPSIMS. This hardly qualifies as a debate. Witnessing. We’re stuck with it here. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/25 "2011-12-26T02:47:57Z")
So, if God is everything, and I believe that the couch I’m stretched out on exists, then I believe that God exists? Oooookay, that’s fine with me, even if it is entirely meaningless. In some other posts you refer to a definition of God that is commonly referred to as “God the retired engineer”, the entity who created the universe but has no further interest in making changes to the design. In other posts you suggest God **is** the design itself. 4 That’s three different definitions. Which is it? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/26 "2011-12-26T03:41:35Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > That’s three different definitions. Which is it? If God is everything, then all three definitions fit. ---
**Author:** ![nole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nole)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/27 "2011-12-26T04:13:55Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > Best way to think of them is directions in space time. Dimensions are a coordinate system. > > For example, in 3 dimensions, you can be located at coordinates X, Y, Z. That tells me exact where you are. > > In 4 dimensions, you add time. So you’re 200 miles west, 300 miles north, 400 feet up, in four days’ time. So I know when and where to meet you. > > Those things are dimensions. We operate commonly with four - length, breadth, height, time. Those four will locate any event in space time. > > But none of these things are “place”. Length isn’t a place, neither is breadth or height. They’re axis on a coordinate system. So you and I can be plotted out with 3 dimensions, correct? So could I then say, in my apparent insanity, that “God” can be plotted out with 10 dimensions? ---
**Author:** ![nole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nole)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/28 "2011-12-26T04:17:22Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I’m not sure _how_ one clarifies “God is everything”. If something is everything, aren’t further attempts at explanation either contradictory or redundant? Probably. But it’s interesting to try, especially if you believe “God” is incomprehensible to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/29 "2011-12-26T04:22:27Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > The OP’s created a god that helps him feel better and lets him believe the universe is orderly and just, but makes no demands. > > As gods go, it’s pretty harmless, I guess. And worthless. Someone without power or control is someone not worth beseeching. Like asking a Burger King shift supervisor for a day off. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/30 "2011-12-26T04:33:56Z")
> [@nole](#): > > So you and I can be plotted out with 3 dimensions, correct? > > So could I then say, in my apparent insanity, that “God” can be plotted out with 10 dimensions? If the 10th dimension is infinity - ‘everywhere at once’ I think you said - how could you ‘plot’ this? ---
**Author:** ![nole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nole)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/31 "2011-12-26T04:34:29Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > So, if God is everything, and I believe that the couch I’m stretched out on exists, then I believe that God exists? > > Oooookay, that’s fine with me, even if it is entirely meaningless. > > In some other posts you refer to a definition of God that is commonly referred to as “God the retired engineer”, the entity who created the universe but has no further interest in making changes to the design. In other posts you suggest God **is** the design itself. 4 > > That’s three different definitions. Which is it? I think that the fact that it even exists, or that anything exists for that matter, means there must be an “Uncaused first cause.” I’ll add on to that; I think believing an infinitely conscious force is behind everything makes more sense than saying everything came out of nothing for no reason. I don’t see why it shouldn’t have any meaning. The way I see it, it’s a great thing that we get to be a part of such an awesomely complex and well designed system. It gives humanity something to figure out. I think the retired engineer reference carries far too much personification for my taste. Everything is everything, even time, “God” exists in a single moment that never ends. ---
**Author:** ![nole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nole)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/32 "2011-12-26T04:36:10Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > And worthless. Someone without power or control is someone not worth beseeching. > > Like asking a Burger King shift supervisor for a day off. The infinite consciousness of “God” could not care less what you think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/33 "2011-12-26T04:39:05Z")
> [@nole](#): > > The infinite consciousness of “God” could not care less what you think about it. Nor should I if I have nothing to gain by worshiping it. And if I can’t, what the hell are we talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/34 "2011-12-26T04:43:14Z")
> [@nole](#): > > So you and I can be plotted out with 3 dimensions, correct? > > So could I then say, in my apparent insanity, that “God” can be plotted out with 10 dimensions? Guess so, if it exists. Anything can be. So can you and I, a potted plant, and an X Box 360. We’re just not able to perceive the extra dimensions. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/35 "2011-12-26T04:43:17Z")
If that’s the video I think it is, it’s complete bullshit. [checks link] Yep, it is. And it’s bullshit. Its’s been debunked plenty of timers here. [This thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=617954) is a recent example. The video us mentioned in post 10, and the best debunking of it (IMNSHO, of course!) is in post 46. ---
**Author:** ![nole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nole)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/36 "2011-12-26T04:44:05Z")
> [@simster](#): > > If the 10th dimension is infinity - ‘everywhere at once’ I think you said - how could you ‘plot’ this? Well I’m definitely not mathematician. You said to think of dimensions as coordinates, wouldn’t that mean all dimensions can be plotted on some sort of “10 dimensional grid”? ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/37 "2011-12-26T04:46:37Z")
> [@simster](#): > > If the 10th dimension is infinity - ‘everywhere at once’ I think you said - how could you ‘plot’ this? The 10th dimension isn’t “infinity”. Infinity is not a dimension. I don’t know where he plucked that from. ---
**Author:** ![nole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@nole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nole)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/38 "2011-12-26T04:50:10Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Nor should I if I have nothing to gain by worshiping it. > > And if I can’t, what the hell are we talking about? What is “worship”? Are you talking about dropping to your knees and praying? Fearing punishment for your sins? I don’t believe in any of that. I don’t believe “God” is affected in any way by whether or not you worship it. In my opinion, any God that condemns you to hell for not worshiping it is flawed for showing human emotion in having a need for acceptance. God must be perfect in m opinion. God shares no traits with humans. We’re talking about God… ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/39 "2011-12-26T05:19:25Z")
> [@nole](#): > > What is “worship”? Are you talking about dropping to your knees and praying? Fearing punishment for your sins? I don’t believe in any of that. I don’t believe “God” is affected in any way by whether or not you worship it. > > In my opinion, any God that condemns you to hell for not worshiping it is flawed for showing human emotion in having a need for acceptance. God must be perfect in m opinion. God shares no traits with humans. > > We’re talking about God… Things exist with or without human knowledge. But if he doesn’t relate to us why does it matter? ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372/40 "2011-12-26T05:23:22Z")
> [@nole](#): > > Well I’m definitely not mathematician. You said to think of dimensions as coordinates, wouldn’t that mean all dimensions can be plotted on some sort of “10 dimensional grid”? Well sure, as long as there aren’t more than ten. You can plot things in however many dimensions you like. Of course, some versions of string theory have eleven, twelve, or twenty-six dimensions. which means your concept of “God” would seem to be rather lacking in . . . well, not _depth_ necessarily, but one or two (or sixteen) other things. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-god-if-anybody-cares/607372.md?page=3)