First, a few disclaimers:
1)This is for personal research, not for a school project (I graduated M-A-N-Y years ago).
2)I’m in the process of writing a story, but in order to do this right, I need some input.
3)I’ve asked friends as well who can give me their input, and now I turn to you, complete strangers with a nice little cross-section of various demographics.
Here we go:
Let’s say God/Allah/Buddha/your-deity-of-choice shows up in your neighbourhood. How would you know it’s him/her? What powers or traits would (s)he have?
I realize this might come across as a marijuana-induced brilliant philosophical idea™ after listening to “What If God Was One Of Us?” on the ol’ soft-rock station one particular p.m., but I assure you that’s not the case.
I was also hesitant to put this into GD because, in all honesty, I think that the answers will refect on people’s beliefs which vary as much as opinions.
So, there you go: The “Big Guy” shows up. How’d you know? What would make him/her different and make you say, “Oh yeah. THAT’S the Almighty themselves right there, boy! Hal-ee-freakin-loo-yeah! Time for me balance the ol’ moral checkbook 'cause it’s last call!”
I’m thinking he’d have a solution to the Minnesota Vikings’ woes. If someone figures out how to get us to the Super Bowl and win it, then hell, I’ll worship him as king and god.
On even-numbered days, when I actually believe in them, my God and Goddess are in my neighborhood. Earth, trees, clouds, sun, Goddess, and God–from my Wiccan perspective, they’re all aspects of the same thing…and so are we.
I think Shibb is saying that if god appeared, it would obviously either be someone middle-eastern looking (as in Allah, and Islamic faith) or someone in nice white robes with a crown of thorns (aka Christianity) or any other deity. Or at least that’s how I interpreted the post.
I think she would radiate peace. Whenever you came near her, I think you’d just feel comforted, safe and worthy.
And before some idiot doper says that they feel the same way about seat belts / security alarms / guns, I’m talking about a real peace…
That’s my WAG, anyway.
Actually, you’d also feel super connected to all things (though perhaps not to things as prosaic as your favourite jogging shoes, etc…)
Nothing. Even if it were a bearded fellow in white robes smiting folk left and healing the sick right, with a team of flying chaps waving flaming swords behind him. I’d likely put it down to an overly spicy breakfast burrito.
Maw Nature. An earthy, vibrant, wild-haired, lusty yet grandmotherly type with rainbow eyes. She talks to flowers and trees and enjoys sunshine, rain, and snow equally. She laughs a lot. I suspect that children and animals would be comfortably drawn to her. Most adults would regard her with suspicion and/or fear.
The answer depends an awful lot on why he/she is there. Is this thes second coming, beginning of Amageddon thing? Or is it the 'I didn’t get it right with Jesus, Mohommed, Buddha, Zroaster etc. and I’ll try to get these fools to listen one more time"? The personality and displayed powers are going to vary depending on what he/she wants to achieve.
If anything, this thread proves what a fantasy religion is. Each poster uses his/her own imagination to paint a picture of what God would be/look like. This confirms my thoughts on religion.
God, being omnipotent, could appear as anything. So, if He needs to show Himself to you, He will appear as whatever you need to see Him as. (Which could, of course, be a She, or even an It.)
Of course, God is also omnipresent (it’s in the job description), so He’s already somewhere in your neighbourhood. If you can’t see Him, either He doesn’t want you to, or you’re not looking properly.
