Sorry, my post reflected my cynicism on the subject of religion given the current state of the world. You know, some people from one part of the world who consider themselves (incorrectly) paragons of their faith kill a bunch of people in the mistaken belief that God would approve. In return, our part of the world, will kill a lot of other people. This is not just in this instance, just the most recent example.
So my vision is that if God descended into our neighborhood, some people would see one thing, others would see another, they would begin to argue, then fight, then kill over who is correct. Bodies would line the streets. In the name of God. In the name of Love. :rolleyes:
God is a mirror. God is a Rohrschach test. People see in God that which is part of them; that which they wish to see. The posts you have gotten thus far in return support this.
Dale I get what you’re saying, but would you say that perhaps your first impression would be “Hey, th- …Naaaahhh. Maybe. … Uhh? Well…”
I guess what I’m trying to get at is, curiosity gets the better of you and you approach this individual and say, “Excuse me, but…are you?” What would the proof need to be for you in this skeptical world?
Trucido: so you’re saying he has the power to heal? And who do you feel he would smite? (Yes, I know you were joking, but I’d like to get the honest answer:))
Leroy: Depends. What did you see and how did you know? …aaaaand where can I get some?
NiceGuyJack: Thanks, but you’re not getting away so easy. Here’s my poser for you: Let’s say there IS one divine being (just go with me for a second), would you say (s)he appears differently to different people? Three people come to an intersection and see a being standing at the corner: One person sees bearded white flowing robes kindly fellow, another sees Allah (in his form), the third sees Ganesh with elephant tusks and all?
Shibb: ah, so you’d be agreeing to my scenario mentioned to Jack, then?
All others: This is great! Just the sort of stuff I’m looking for. But what about “parlour tricks”? Can Diety actually do anything
I think if God came into my nieghborhood as Himself, I think I’d be able to know by all the people exploding (that’s what the Bible used to say about him…too much Glory for the human body to take).
More seriously, if it was more the Jesus type, comes as a man and walks the Earth and ends up in my nieghborhood, there’s nothing more than looking into his eyes that would be able to convince me. Being in His presence would be enough to tug at the soul and bring the question up, but actually standing there speaking with Him would be enough. If it were more “God” God, I don’t think there would be a person, more a presence…definitely noticeable, but not physical or describable. Again, recognition would have to come from more non-physical recognition…something would just happen inside that would prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was in God’s presence.
kniz returns!
how is it that you do that centering? it boggles me wherever i see it!
oh well. back to the OP…
i’d see God as a sort of everything.
as in, He’d be utterly nondescript. you wouldn’t be able to describe him at all. you’d only be able to say “he looked, well, average”
but, if you looked really close, which you probably wouldn’t even be able to concieve of, you notice that His eyes weren’t eyes, but actually sort of little panes of Glow.
as in, on a moonless night in the middle of a desert, you’d see His eyes if He were to stand facing you.
I believe this too. Here’s a quote from Mother Teresa:
“I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene, I must wash him or tend to him. I serve them because I love Jesus.”
This philosophy I totally adhere to, though I most certainly am not Christian. I believe it can be applied equally to Buddhism, and other religions, maybe all.
So, in answer to the initial question, I would have to say that the manifestation of “God” is apparent every day to every living human being.
I never looked into David Koresh’s eyes, but I’m pretty sure he would have just been creepy. If God did come down, I don’t think he’d need to be preachy. And he CERTAINLY wouldn’t be seducing young women because it was “their duty.” Why would God need to get laid? It’s been an eternity of waiting so far, why start now?
I never looked into David Koresh’s eyes, but I’m pretty sure that would have just creeped me out. I don’t think God would need to preach, and I’m damn sure he wouldn’t force underaged girls and married women to fuck him because “It’s their duty.” I’m just curious as to why everyone who doesn’t believe in religion thinks that everyone who does is willing to believe in any idiot who claims “Hey, I’m God”?
Sorry, the first time I posted, I stopped after ten minutes of it staying on the same page and figured it hadn’t posted. I’ll check next time (hey, I’m still new).
Here’s my poser for you: Let’s say there IS one divine being (just go with me for a second), would you say (s)he appears differently to different people? Three people come to an intersection and see a being standing at the corner: One person sees bearded white flowing robes kindly fellow, another sees Allah (in his form), the third sees Ganesh with elephant tusks and all?