# What use could God have for living things? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 17, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399 "2014-07-17T20:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/21 "2014-07-18T00:20:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > From my Catholic catechism questions: > > Q: Who made us? > > A: God made us. > > Q; Why did God make us? > > A: God made us to share his happiness in heaven. So why didn’t he put us there? Why did we wind up in this world of sin and woe (to quote Winston Churchill)? Because God was pissed at Adam and Eve? Geez, talk about retroactive assignation of guilt! I can hardly be blamed for their bad judgment. I never even met the man, nor his ribfest. Why not blame the guy who created both of them, apparently with major defects? This is some crazy “justice”! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/22 "2014-07-18T00:28:34Z")
Perhaps God has no use for living beings at all. Maybe “life” is a forgotten experiment–like a petri dish left on some dusty shelf in God’s laboratory. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/23 "2014-07-18T00:43:18Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Perhaps God has no use for living beings at all. Maybe “life” is a forgotten experiment–like a petri dish left on some dusty shelf in God’s laboratory. Or maybe after dying stars explode and hurl newly formed heavy elements into the cosmos, and the remnants coalesce into second-generation stars and their planetary systems, life is just something that spontaneously happens on certain fortuitously situated planets when the new elements start to form complex chemical compounds. Or maybe God descended from the clouds and created Adam, then got bored and pulled out his rib (hopefully using a decent anaesthetic) and created Eve, and then got pissed off with both of them. Both theories seem equally scientifically valid to me, because I like to be open-minded. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/24 "2014-07-18T01:07:19Z")
A few ancient tales tell us that several creations or eras took place, were god or the gods experimented making living things until they got it right. The tales also usually tell us that the gods get tired of imperfections and erased almost anything to/and start again. We should take into account the possibility that we are not the end result, but a test or most likely an intermediary. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/25 "2014-07-18T03:08:47Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > A few ancient tales tell us that several creations or eras took place, were god or the gods experimented making living things until they got it right. > > The tales also usually tell us that the gods get tired of imperfections and erased almost anything to/and start again. > > We should take into account the possibility that we are not the end result, but a test or most likely an intermediary. My thinking is similar to this, I don’t think we are the end result. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/26 "2014-07-18T03:39:06Z")
- ‘You see it wasn’t the ordinary sort of doubt about Cain’s wife, or the Old Testament miracles or the Consecration of Archbishop Parker … No, it was something deeper than that.\*\* I couldn’t understand why God had made the world at all.’\*\*\* Mr. Prendergast on leaving the priesthood. — _Evelyn Waugh : Decline & Fall_ ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/27 "2014-07-18T08:00:19Z")
Performance art. God has stubble and tattoos. Or, God made us to pull the wings off us. ---
**Author:** ![tigerwoods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@tigerwoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tigerwoods)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/28 "2014-07-18T10:13:21Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > For me, I think this comes closest. Just like some parents have children to share things with and teach about life, so God made us. > I think. if this god were as timeless and powerful as described in religious texts then this analogy would be poor. it would surely be more like us creating and growing a harmless bacterial culture to ‘share’ things with. such are the ‘limitations’ bacteria have in comparison to us. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/29 "2014-07-18T13:22:08Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > As a thiest I like to think we are part of a plan. I have no idea where it is going but I assume that God has some useful reason for letting life evolve. The liklihood of humans or anything from earth ever having a real impact on the universe is nill. > > If a billion earth years is equal to 1 God minute it become easier to imagine the posssibility of life in our universe having some eventual purpose for God or Gods. I, too, am a theist, and I think the answer lies in how we view God, so in that regard, I can only really speak for myself. In that regard, I think trying to find a “reason” for life is sort of missing the point. I see God akin to an artist, and the universe is a work of art. Why does an artist create art? Sure, in our world, one artist might be comissioned for the painting, or another might write a song to express a social concern, or an actor takes up a part because he feels the story needs to be told. But, fancying myself an artist, I think it sort of misses the point to see art as a means to an end, even if it is at times; ultimately, the creation of art, it’s mere existence is it’s own purpose. Another way I look at it is that God is akin to a parent, and we, humanity collectively along with the rest of creation, are like his child. Why does a parent have a child? Sure, one parent might want an heir, or another might do it because of biology, or it could just plain be an accident. But that’s not really the best way of looking at it, because a parent doesn’t get to choose who their children are. It’s more like asking why am I my mother’s/father’s son. If God didn’t have full will in creating us, either we’re an accident, or has no consciousness or whatever, then it makes the whole question philosophically equivalent to there being no God at all, and if he did have will in us, then I think it’s philosophically equivalent to all of the creative decision that goes into art, but with the added notion that we are, in some way, his child or offspring. Either way, I don’t see us as having a purpose, as in I don’t think God feeds off of our praise or tribute in some way, or is entertained or whatever. To steal a line from a favorite artist of mine, we’re here because we’re here; that is, our mere existence is not only reason enough, but there is no greater reason I can imagine. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/30 "2014-07-18T13:31:53Z")
“Hey, Odin!” “Yah, what is it, Yahweh, ol’ buddy ol’ pal o’ mine-a?” “Come to my room and look what I got for my birthday! See?! It’s a World-Making Kit! You can do anything with it! Look at this one here . . . I made these people . . . _snerk_ . . . I made them so they have to piss and fuck with **the same organ!** 😃 And they have to **live** with that! And I made some of them gay, you won’t believe what **they** do . . .” ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/31 "2014-07-18T13:40:06Z")
He (or she) needs souls to level up so s/he can fight the gods of other universes. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/32 "2014-07-18T17:10:13Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > I, too, am a theist, and I think the answer lies in how we view God, so in that regard, I can only really speak for myself. In that regard, I think trying to find a “reason” for life is sort of missing the point. I see God akin to an artist, and the universe is a work of art. Why does an artist create art? Sure, in our world, one artist might be comissioned for the painting, or another might write a song to express a social concern, or an actor takes up a part because he feels the story needs to be told. But, fancying myself an artist, I think it sort of misses the point to see art as a means to an end, even if it is at times; ultimately, the creation of art, it’s mere existence is it’s own purpose. > > Another way I look at it is that God is akin to a parent, and we, humanity collectively along with the rest of creation, are like his child. Why does a parent have a child? Sure, one parent might want an heir, or another might do it because of biology, or it could just plain be an accident. But that’s not really the best way of looking at it, because a parent doesn’t get to choose who their children are. It’s more like asking why am I my mother’s/father’s son. If God didn’t have full will in creating us, either we’re an accident, or has no consciousness or whatever, then it makes the whole question philosophically equivalent to there being no God at all, and if he did have will in us, then I think it’s philosophically equivalent to all of the creative decision that goes into art, but with the added notion that we are, in some way, his child or offspring. > > Either way, I don’t see us as having a purpose, as in I don’t think God feeds off of our praise or tribute in some way, or is entertained or whatever. To steal a line from a favorite artist of mine, we’re here because we’re here; that is, our mere existence is not only reason enough, but there is no greater reason I can imagine. ``` I find that pleaseantly acceptable! How do you feel about a sprititual afterlife? ``` ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/33 "2014-07-18T17:18:42Z")
What use does God have for NON-living things? He made those first. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/34 "2014-07-18T20:37:27Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > Who else will build the spaceship he needs? What does God need with a starship? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/35 "2014-07-18T20:55:09Z")
Obviously God needs living things so He can make them suffer eternally for not worshiping Him intensely enough. Anything else just conjecture. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/36 "2014-07-18T21:29:39Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > He’s a sadist. In the first place, it’s “She.” In the second place, She’s not. I forgot the third place; it was something about bananas. In the fourth place, the answer to the OP’s question is “art.” In the last place, the current Deity In Charge of Everything does not claim to have created life and thus the question is of limited use. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/37 "2014-07-18T21:34:00Z")
Step 1: Create life. Step 2: ??? Step 3: Profit! [sub](or are we not doing that gag anymore?)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/38 "2014-07-18T21:45:16Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Step 1: Create life. > > Step 2: ??? > > Step 3: Profit! > > [sub](or are we not doing that gag anymore?)[/sub] Step 2: Prophet. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/39 "2014-07-18T21:54:35Z")
Goddammit ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/40 "2014-07-18T22:20:30Z")
It’s 4:20 ♫ \*We’re damming’ (damming’, damming’, damming’) And we’re damming’ in the name of the Lord; We’re damming’ (damming’, damming’, damming’), We’re damming’ right straight from Yah. You! can go on damming; Holy Mount dammit!: Jah sitteth in Mount dammit! And rules all creation.\* ♪ -Apologies to Bob Marley. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399.md?page=3)