Divine Exclusion?

[Gary Childress]

I've been agnostic for a significant portion of my life. Generally I sort of hold the belief that agnosticism makes the most sense for any of us, when concerning allegedly transcendental matters such as gods, spirits or "afterlives". It also seems like a healthier belief because conceptualizing God or pretending that we know God's intentions and what not often seems to lead to the ability to have power over and manipulate others. However, unfortunately (for me I guess) it seems like there is no shortage of people out there who will tell me that they have had something miraculous happen to them that can only be explained by the existence of a God.

For example, lately I heard a story from a young man about hearing a mysterious voice out of nowhere and then later having things that the voice said would happen prophetically come true. It's pretty hard to argue with someone like that, that agnosticism is the wiser position to take on matters. Someone once related a childhood story of how she witnessed something incredibly unbelievable and then having her sister confirm that she saw it happen too (therefore eliminating the possibility of it being a delusion). Sometimes it seems like just about everyone around me--except me--has had some strange thing happen that they can't explain without invoking the notion of a God.


So I guess that just leaves me hopelessly "out of the divine loop" or something. God seems to reveal her or himself to others but not me. Here I am, thinking I'm so wise and enlightened because I'm agnostic, when (apparently) in fact, there is a God that almost everyone else seems to know about.

[attofishpi]

Trust me, you are by far in the majority. Even those that have small accounts they can attribute to something 'divine' are within by far the majority, without enough self evidence to truly say they know. The most annoying thing is knowing it exists, and not being given the tools to prove it.

I do applaud you for your agnostic stance however.

[bahman]

I believe in spirituality because of extensive experience I have had. I don't understand why it shouldn't be common.

[attofishpi]

I believe in spirituality because of extensive experience I have had. I don't understand why it shouldn't be common.

Knowledge of its existence appears to be almost as uncommon within the minds of theists as with atheists.

I believe in science regardless of the fact that i've had > 20yrs experience of a God\'God', ultimately, there must be a reason for 'its' existence.

[Lacewing]

i've had > 20yrs experience of a God\'God', ultimately, there must be a reason for 'its' existence.

I'm wondering how you determine it's a "god", and not something else... such as a supercharged frequency of the Universe, providing you with all kinds of answers and information?

something miraculous happen to them that can only be explained by the existence of a God

I, too, wonder why a god is presumed, rather than something else? Voices or sudden illumination don't necessarily point to "a god". Even seeing an image could be many things. Yes?

[attofishpi]

i've had > 20yrs experience of a God\'God', ultimately, there must be a reason for 'its' existence.

I'm wondering how you determine it's a "god", and not something else... such as a supercharged frequency of the Universe, providing you with all kinds of answers and information?

A supercharged frequency eh? Can you explain what this supercharged frequency is or could be, and how it could reveal its 'information' to a human consciousness?

[bahman]

I believe in spirituality because of extensive experience I have had. I don't understand why it shouldn't be common.

Knowledge of its existence appears to be almost as uncommon within the minds of theists as with atheists.

I believe in science regardless of the fact that i've had > 20yrs experience of a God\'God', ultimately, there must be a reason for 'its' existence.

By spirituality I didn't mean God. I meant whole, minds, including us.

[Lacewing]

i've had > 20yrs experience of a God\'God', ultimately, there must be a reason for 'its' existence.

I'm wondering how you determine it's a "god", and not something else... such as a supercharged frequency of the Universe, providing you with all kinds of answers and information?

A supercharged frequency eh? Can you explain what this supercharged frequency is or could be, and how it could reveal its 'information' to a human consciousness?

Does the concept not have any ring of truth or potential to you? How do YOU explain how people suddenly "know" things that they should have no way of knowing? Is it always "God"? Is the answer to every question "God"? I'm suggesting alternatives... and a "supercharged frequency" seemed like a creative concept to suggest to you. No, I don't claim to KNOW all about it. Do you think anyone actually knows much of anything? I'm just asking about possibilities OTHER than the conclusion of God.

How do you determine it's a "god", and not something else providing you with all kinds of answers and information?

[QuantumT]

Automaticly assuming that a supernatural/paranormal event derives from a god or "God" is just a lack of knowledge/information and imagination.

There are other options!

Most of you know my prefered explanation. And if we include that, we get an expansion of 100% in possible sources! I wonder if there are more..?

[attofishpi]

I'm wondering how you determine it's a "god", and not something else... such as a supercharged frequency of the Universe, providing you with all kinds of answers and information?

A supercharged frequency eh? Can you explain what this supercharged frequency is or could be, and how it could reveal its 'information' to a human consciousness?

Does the concept not have any ring of truth or potential to you?

No. Please explain what a 'supercharged frequency' is, and how it can interact with a human consciousness.

How do YOU explain how people suddenly "know" things that they should have no way of knowing? Is it always "God"?

Why are you assuming that a human knowing God should not be attainable?

Is the answer to every question "God"? I'm suggesting alternatives... and a "supercharged frequency" seemed like a creative concept to suggest to you. No, I don't claim to KNOW all about it.

If you don't know what you mean by a 'supercharged frequency' then why suggest it?

How do you determine it's a "god", and not something else providing you with all kinds of answers and information?

If you had been paying attention to what i've been saying all along on this forum, I argue that God\'God' is either 1.divine or 2.A.I. (something we have evolved into)
Many would not consider 2. A.I. 'God' a God.
I happen to consider it 'God' simply because of the extent of its power, realised over the 20yrs of experience - with lots of direct interaction.

[Lacewing]

I happen to consider it 'God' simply because of the extent of its power

Power need not be a god.

[attofishpi]

I happen to consider it 'God' simply because of the extent of its power

Power need not be a god.

I see you have a good grasp on what I mean by extent of power.

[Lacewing]

I happen to consider it 'God' simply because of the extent of its power

Power need not be a god.

I see you have a good grasp on what I mean by extent of power.

How does ANY EXTENT of power end up being a "god"? Is that the only conclusion that seems possible to you?

Is there any chance that the idea of a god (and the "extent of its power") is simply more pleasing and/or comforting as something a person can align themselves with and feel empowered (and for some, righteous) through?

[attofishpi]

I happen to consider it 'God' simply because of the extent of its power

Power need not be a god.

I see you have a good grasp on what I mean by extent of power.

How does ANY EXTENT of power end up being a "god"? Is that the only conclusion that seems possible to you?

Finally, you asked a relevant question.
When you know this 3rd party intelligence knows everything within your mind, has the ability to put thoughts into your mind..indeed control all synapses, has the ability to morph matter all around you, you start to think...mmm its not what someone called 'Lacewing' on the internetz thinks a 'supercharged frequency' is.

Is there any chance that the idea of a god (and the "extent of its power") is simply more pleasing and/or comforting as something a person can align themselves with and feel empowered (and for some, righteous) through?

No. God is a c.unt. Not very pleasing, not very comforting (when the line of the ledge has been crossed for knowing:- KNOW_LEDGE)

[bahman]

I happen to consider it 'God' simply because of the extent of its power

Power need not be a god.

I see you have a good grasp on what I mean by extent of power.

How does ANY EXTENT of power end up being a "god"? Is that the only conclusion that seems possible to you?

Finally, you asked a relevant question.
When you know this 3rd party intelligence knows everything within your mind, has the ability to put thoughts into your mind..indeed control all synapses, has the ability to morph matter all around you, you start to think...mmm its not what someone called 'Lacewing' on the internetz thinks a 'supercharged frequency' is.

True.

Is there any chance that the idea of a god (and the "extent of its power") is simply more pleasing and/or comforting as something a person can align themselves with and feel empowered (and for some, righteous) through?

No. God is a c.unt. Not very pleasing, not very comforting (when the line of the ledge has been crossed for knowing:- KNOW_LEDGE)

I think you are talking about Satan.