# 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:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**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, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/41 "2014-07-18T22:28:42Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > It’s 4:20 It’s 6:20. You must be one of those westerners who always have their clocks set wrong. 🙂 ---
**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, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/42 "2014-07-18T22:36:41Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s 6:20. You must be one of those westerners who always have their clocks set wrong. 🙂 Nah, it’s always 4:20 somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/43 "2014-07-18T22:42:34Z")
> [@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. My take on your OP, not reading the rest, is we are God’s children and God desires us to grow in beautiful ways and delight in what we see we become. I do disagree with your statement that our effect on the universe is nil as IMHO Angels and advanced civilizationsfrom other star systems, which may be the same thing, are carefully looking out for us and helping us and guiding us join the interstellar community, but with enough separation that allows us to also find our own way. We are made to be part of the whole, not just some freak side show that has no purpose. We are intensely loved despite how mean we are to each other. ---
**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, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/44 "2014-07-18T22:53:33Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > …Angels and advanced civilizationsfrom other star systems, which may be the same thing… I don’t care what happens next in this thread, that right there is the money quote. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/45 "2014-07-18T23:00:34Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > What use does God have for NON-living things? He made those first. He needs a place to put all his stuff. To me it doesn’t make sense for an omni-max god to want anything. If you want something you’re not complete or at harmony with yourself. Such a god should just _be_. Which raises one question I often ask of believers, mostly of the Christian sort but it applies to other religions too: what’s the point of all this? Yes, God will destroy everything and judge our souls and we’ll go to heaven or hell forever. So in a trillion years we’ll still be in heaven or hell based on a couple decades on this mortal coil. Is that supposed to make sense? Sorry, I forgot. God works in mysterious ways. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/46 "2014-07-18T23:04:31Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > My take on your OP, not reading the rest, is we are God’s children and God desires us to grow in beautiful ways and delight in what we see we become. > > I do disagree with your statement that our effect on the universe is nil as IMHO Angels and advanced civilizationsfrom other star systems, which may be the same thing, are carefully looking out for us and helping us and guiding us join the interstellar community, but with enough separation that allows us to also find our own way. We are made to be part of the whole, not just some freak side show that has no purpose. We are intensely loved despite how mean we are to each other. Why? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/47 "2014-07-18T23:14:26Z")
What use could a human have for video game characters ? Video game characters are useless. But they’re fun. If you believe in god, I kind of think you also have to believe we’re just fun toys to while away eternity, which I’m told is very long especially towards the end. Which is somewhat worrying considering what kind of “Plan” I have for my Sims… or even my pixel truppen. Those may or may not involve orders such as “You will \*\*maintain \*\*a giant penis formation tipped towards the enemy base, and hold position under the (friendly) artillery barrage until it achieves 100% casualties, soldier ! This is strategically paramount ! If I cannot demonstrate spite using your very lives as the currency of my sophomoric humour, any “victory” is empty.” ETA : I have also been known to obliterate cities or even entire civilizations because their existence made the borders of my own empire look weird, untidy or otherwise aesthetically displeasing. Casus fucking belli right there. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/48 "2014-07-18T23:51:02Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > ETA : I have also been known to obliterate cities or even entire civilizations because their existence made the borders of my own empire look weird, untidy or otherwise aesthetically displeasing. Casus fucking belli right there. You monster. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/49 "2014-07-19T00:46:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > “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 . . .” “Nice, nice. I like that they have to live bathed in corrosive poison, too. So tell me: what’s with all the beetles?” ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/50 "2014-07-19T01:23:19Z")
> [@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 did He put us down here first? > [@Revenant\_Threshold](#): > > I believe that eminent philosopher Kirk had something to say about a similar question. James T. or Cameron? > [@robert\_columbia](#): > > What does God need with a starship? Oh, That one. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/51 "2014-07-19T01:44:15Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > James T. or Cameron? > > Oh, That one. Maybe it’s both. What does god need with a spaceship? It’s how he brings us the bananas. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/52 "2014-07-19T01:58:38Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > 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. I dig what you’re laying down here. But, insofar as deities go, there’s no way a god would allow its own gender to be treated like second-class citizens. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/53 "2014-07-19T10:56:19Z")
God created living things so that there would be eyeballs to appreciate the Universe. If you created a Universe, wouldn’t you want to put creatures in it to appreciate your work? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/54 "2014-07-19T17:11:51Z")
I guess it is just me on this Saturday morning, but the title of the OP read like the first musings of an evil-villain-to-be. “God has no use for life, so I shall reduce this world to a lifeless cinder in his name! Praise Jesus!” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/55 "2014-07-19T17:56:32Z")
[Yowee, Almighty Bringer of Light](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak3z2Pm7Iwg) ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/56 "2014-07-19T18:05:53Z")
What use could living things have for God—if they were really intent on living? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/57 "2014-07-20T06:02:32Z")
> [@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. This makes no sense to me, because contrarily to potential parents, god shouldn’t have needs to fulfill (sharing things, teaching…). ---
**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 20, 2014, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/58 "2014-07-20T12:05:14Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > This makes no sense to me, because contrarily to potential parents, god shouldn’t have needs to fulfill (sharing things, teaching…). I think that is a religious concept of God, a thiest may believe that a God does indeed have needs and may not be all knowing and all powerful. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399/59 "2014-07-21T12:55:16Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I think that is a religious concept of God, a thiest may believe that a God does indeed have needs and may not be all knowing and all powerful. Yes, sure, there are plenty of gods who are depicted as having needs, and require being fed, etc… I was thinking of the Christian omni god, who shouldn’t have any. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399.md?page=2)