The resolution is simple. Yes, an omnipotent being can make a rock so big he can’t lift it. But he can lift it. The fact that he’s unable to do something is not enough to prevent him from being able to do it.
The rock that can not be lifted.
Or can it??
Ah, pretty clever. I think I understand. Since an omnipotent god can lift even a rock that weighs infinity pounds, then asking, “Can god make a rock so big he can’t lift it?” is equivalent to asking, “Can god make a rock that weighs more than infinity pounds?” That is, it’s a meaningless question.
As an additional note, do you know how hard it’s been not to make an obvious pun about the wrestler the Rock?
Oh go on. You know you want to…
Oh, fine…
“The Rock says this. If that omnipotent candyass God wants to go one on one with the Great One, then He can damn well prove it at Wrestlemania. He can bring His cherubim, His seraphim…hell, He can bring George Burns’ wrinkled ass if He wants to. He can send plagues, He can flood the arena, He can send a bolt of lighting down to the Rock to try to stop him! But the Rock says that when all is said and done and the count goes one, two, three, the only thing of the Rock’s that will be lifted is his hand in victory! If ya smellalalalalala! What the Rock…is…cooking!”
I am so ashamed.
I opened this thread expecting “What the best pie?”
Is it beef pie?
Oh, god, those Weebl episodes are gonna kill me. Hee hee!
Thanks to all for your great insight. Especially KCSuze for what I believe is without a doubt the best post I have ever seen in the Straight Dope message boards.
Ok, I can take the groans, but it needs saying–
Is this discussion stuck between The Rock and a hard place?
–Alan Q
And if we don’t know why, she certainly isn’t going to tell us. 
He had to move one… once.
“He had to move one… once”
Clayton,
I’m not necessarily buying into the literal story, but that is one of the most succinct and tasteful comebacks I’ve seen in awhile!
–Alan Q
Well, since Alan Q says I’m bested, I guess I am. But I have to admit, I don’t get it. Which Biblical story are you referring to?
Thanks, I thought that post was going to kill the thread.
KCSuze,
I’m just trying to goad you to bigger and better things!
As to which Biblical story Clayton was referencing–check April 20 on your calendar; I may be lapsed, but I remember the stories!
–Alan Q
It’s always amazed me that people ask this question without having a specific definition of the word “lift”. Suppose that God had decided to gather all the material in the universe and make it into a gigantic rock. Then there would be no other object in the universe that could exert gravitational pull on the rock, so “lifting” it would be a cinch. Not only could God lift it, but any being capable of exerting any force on it would be able to lift it.
Ooohhhh…Sorry! The pressure! I can’t take it! AAAUUUGGGHH! <leaps out of window>
Damn first-floor bedroom.
D’oh! :smack: I’m really not this thick in real life. Would you believe lack of sleep caused this error? Really! My brain is misfiring all over the place! Just last night I thought writing “tastee cookee snax” on the grocery list was knee-slapping hilarity.
Is that a Johnny Dangerously reference?
This is the unanswerable question? As IF.
The unanswerable question is, and always will be (in fact, I was reminded of it last night): “Do these jeans make my ass look fat?”
You’re welcome.
Thats easy:
Garigirl: “These jeans make my arse look big don’t they??”
Garius: “No! Of course they don’t!”
Garius: “Its your arse that does that.”