One normal day, Armageddon arrives, and amidst the fireballs and atomic blasts you realise that you don't believe in God.
As an atheist/agnostic, you find yourself standing before God. Apparently, his efforts to appear non-existant had you fooled, and unless you can tell him why not, he is going to send you to Hell.
What would you say to God, if he allowed you a few minutes to sway him?
What would you say to the Almight?
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Post #11
Pity is a wasted emotion. He isn't worthy of it. No, hate suits me just fine. But your description here has given me quite the laugh. Needed that. Thanks.Cephus wrote:I wouldn't hate, that's meaningless. I'd have plenty of pity though, how pathetic does some all-powerful deity have to be to need to create a bunch of mindless sycophants to kiss it's backside all the time?
What we do for ourselves dies with us,
What we do for others and the world remains
and is immortal.
-Albert Pine
Never be bullied into silence.
Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
Accept no one persons definition of your life; define yourself.
-Harvey Fierstein
What we do for others and the world remains
and is immortal.
-Albert Pine
Never be bullied into silence.
Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
Accept no one persons definition of your life; define yourself.
-Harvey Fierstein
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realthinker
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Post #13
I'd simply say that I was wrong, despite my honest, genuine effort to know the truth of the Universe around me. If the consequences are such that my effort and intent still account for nothing, he cannot be a fair judge of my worthiness.
I have no intent to discount anything that may be true. I simply have the intent to not accept anything that appears to be false. To do so, I believe, would be contrary to the intent of God. Truth is as God should intend, I imagine, and to accept anything else would be blasphemous.
I won't be a willing victim of the human capacity for self-delusion. I would understand the nature of man and mankind so that I can see from where such delusions arise. I would then know the consequences of those delusions and understand how they contribute to man and mankind. Then I'd know much more of the truth and God's real intent, if there is such.
I have no intent to discount anything that may be true. I simply have the intent to not accept anything that appears to be false. To do so, I believe, would be contrary to the intent of God. Truth is as God should intend, I imagine, and to accept anything else would be blasphemous.
I won't be a willing victim of the human capacity for self-delusion. I would understand the nature of man and mankind so that I can see from where such delusions arise. I would then know the consequences of those delusions and understand how they contribute to man and mankind. Then I'd know much more of the truth and God's real intent, if there is such.
If all the ignorance in the world passed a second ago, what would you say? Who would you obey?
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Zzyzx
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Post #14
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If "judged" by a just and fair "god" that should be adequate to gain favorable treatment.
I might, in my own statement under the conditions presented, say -- "If you want me to follow, LEAD. Don't send a bunch of middlemen to try to convince me to do as they say. Earn my respect for who and what you are.”
Excellent position statement, IMO.realthinker wrote:I have no intent to discount anything that may be true. I simply have the intent to not accept anything that appears to be false.
If "judged" by a just and fair "god" that should be adequate to gain favorable treatment.
I might, in my own statement under the conditions presented, say -- "If you want me to follow, LEAD. Don't send a bunch of middlemen to try to convince me to do as they say. Earn my respect for who and what you are.”
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Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
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realthinker
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Post #16
Myself, I believe I'd be a bit more deferential to a deity. Faced with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down moment, I'd not critique his running of the world. His pure presence, at this point, would have earned everything. I'd have to accept that I'd failed his test and rely upon my integrity to get me through it.Zzyzx wrote:.Excellent position statement, IMO.realthinker wrote:I have no intent to discount anything that may be true. I simply have the intent to not accept anything that appears to be false.
If "judged" by a just and fair "god" that should be adequate to gain favorable treatment.
I might, in my own statement under the conditions presented, say -- "If you want me to follow, LEAD. Don't send a bunch of middlemen to try to convince me to do as they say. Earn my respect for who and what you are.”
If all the ignorance in the world passed a second ago, what would you say? Who would you obey?
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Zzyzx
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Post #17
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It didn't work out too well in the short run when I told a commanding officer in the military much the same thing fifty years ago. However, that situation worked out very well in the long run because it helped shape the ideas that have served me well for most of a lifetime. "Lead, follow or get out of the way" has been a productive attitude – as has "Earn respect, don't beg for it or demand it".
Since I seldom encounter omniscient beings, I will maintain my "confrontational attitude". If I DID encounter a being that was truly omnipotent my attitude would be foreknown, nothing need be said, and perhaps my brand of integrity would be respected.
You may have the better plan. Perhaps you will let me know how it works out -- as I might be elsewhere (hypothetically).realthinker wrote:Myself, I believe I'd be a bit more deferential to a deity. Faced with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down moment, I'd not critique his running of the world. His pure presence, at this point, would have earned everything. I'd have to accept that I'd failed his test and rely upon my integrity to get me through it.
It didn't work out too well in the short run when I told a commanding officer in the military much the same thing fifty years ago. However, that situation worked out very well in the long run because it helped shape the ideas that have served me well for most of a lifetime. "Lead, follow or get out of the way" has been a productive attitude – as has "Earn respect, don't beg for it or demand it".
Since I seldom encounter omniscient beings, I will maintain my "confrontational attitude". If I DID encounter a being that was truly omnipotent my attitude would be foreknown, nothing need be said, and perhaps my brand of integrity would be respected.
.
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
Non-Theist
ANY of the thousands of "gods" proposed, imagined, worshiped, loved, feared, and/or fought over by humans MAY exist -- awaiting verifiable evidence
Post #18
I am willing to accept the consequences of being wrong. I figure the dialogue would go like this:
God: "I am God"
Skeptic: "(scratching head) "Well I'll be damned!"
God: "Ha Ha, good one, now go to hell"
Skeptic: "Yeah, that's kinda what I figured", "Take care of my family would ya" "So is there an elevator or is it just a freefall?"
God: "I am God"
Skeptic: "(scratching head) "Well I'll be damned!"
God: "Ha Ha, good one, now go to hell"
Skeptic: "Yeah, that's kinda what I figured", "Take care of my family would ya" "So is there an elevator or is it just a freefall?"
