Hypothetical: Divinity directly revealed to you

[Ben Kenobi]

At least your position as a believer makes things much more simple than for an atheist.

It helps when UR does not get into specifics as to the 'revelation' received.

Rufus:

Then, technically, aren't all religions part of God's creation? An dthen, techically, aren't those Jews, Christians, and Muslims who declare their religion the One True Religion actually blasphemers?

Christians rely partially on Jewish revelation, Muslims on Jews and Christians. On this aspect each religion should assert their interdependency.

The only reason we think we've got scripture more right that the rest is because of the resurrection. Jews and Moslems have less credible explanations for the resurrection than Christians do.

[loinburger]

Originally posted by obiwan18
It helps when UR does not get into specifics as to the 'revelation' received.

Big Crunch didn't go into specifics either, but that didn't stop the usual suspects from rolling their eyes in disgust at the stubborn atheists who refuse to see the truth...

I'm genuinely curious to see how the usual suspects respond to UR's hypothetical -- my hand's poised over the "rolleyes" button.

[Dauphin]

The responses are pretty much what I expected. No-one has said they will change their views or actions in any meaningful way. It seems that both sides will just interpret things in whatever way is necessary to retain the status quo of their worldview and lifestyle.

For those who gave response like "well I don't know what he wants so I will not really change", would you try to conform to the wishes of a deity, no matter how logical/illogical difficult/easy moral/immoral they may seem to you.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Big Crunch
would you try to conform to the wishes of a deity, no matter how logical/illogical difficult/easy moral/immoral they may seem to you.

I don't know. But it is possible that I reject something clearly immoral a deity demands to me. I'm not Abraham (was it him who nearly sacrificed his son ? )

[loinburger]

Originally posted by Big Crunch
For those who gave response like "well I don't know what he wants so I will not really change", would you try to conform to the wishes of a deity, no matter how logical/illogical difficult/easy moral/immoral they may seem to you.

I'd first require proof that this deity is entirely benevolent. If there's a chance that the deity might order me to do something immoral (that the deity knows to be immoral) then I'd take anything that the deity said/wished with a hefty grain of salt.

BTW, it's customary that the person who gives a hypothetical eventually answers his own hypothetical, if for no other reason than that comments on our responses tend to come off as self-righteous twattery otherwise.

[Az]

For those who gave response like "well I don't know what he wants so I will not really change", would you try to conform to the wishes of a deity, no matter how logical/illogical difficult/easy moral/immoral they may seem to you.

It depends.

I probably won't. If he created me, and knows what will I do, he shouldn't be too surprised and/or enraged. Knowing the future is and then being pissed off about it, Esp. when you can change it is pretty ****ing stupid. Even a mere mortal like me knows it.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by Big Crunch

For those who gave response like "well I don't know what he wants so I will not really change", would you try to conform to the wishes of a deity, no matter how logical/illogical difficult/easy moral/immoral they may seem to you.

I would seek for help, that is pretty much one can do, as you have no chance of being not even close to perfect in traditional Judeo/Christian style... anyway what does trying mean? Trying to be an actetic guy for example... giving this up giving that up... when in the end you finish like a lunatic? No point is there? If there is some divine presence than they have some responisbilities too - namely help if they expect you to be one way or another...

[Az]

Now, if heaven would exist, THEN, we could start talking.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by Azazel
Now, if heaven would exist, THEN, we could start talking.

The only questions are "What is heaven" , and can I make it - what is on the "terms and conditions" page

[Az]

Yeah, heaven changes things. If heaven is everything I ever wanted, and everyone will have his own personal heaven, I am prepared to walk quite the mileage for god.

[Mercator]

Rufus

I'm an atheist, but there really are only two moments I could think of when God could possibly want to finally "reveal" himself. Either the Apocalypse is upon us, or he finally decides to set things straight and gets rid of all the bad in us.

In the first case, there's not much to do except hope for a ticket to paradise.

As for the second case, I can't really imagine how that could be done, except by "resetting the Matrix" so to speak, a global brainwash. Because in any other case, people are going to get disappointed. What about all the non Judeo-Christians? Had they all been living a lie? And even among Judeo-Christians. Just about every single person has a different view on what God is supposed to represent. What about the different views on homosexuality, abortion, birth-control, evolution, or even just the idea of the need to go to church etc. How can they possibly be reconciled? If God lets us know what he intended, will all of humanity suddenly bow to him and live according to his views (even those that would have opposing views)? God could only peacefully achieve that by making us nothing more than willing puppets without any free will, I think (not exactly the sign of a benign God). If he doesn't do that there would be massive uprisings. People who have been "speaking to God" will feel betrayed and perhaps even claim it's not God, but the Devil who has shown himself and is tempting us.

Well, there's also a third option. God doesn't do either of the above, but simply show his face and say hello (whether he then also reveals his true intentions won't make much difference, I guess). Again, I think this will only result in utter chaos.

In other words, even if there is a God, I don't expect he'd ever reveal himself... If he would, it would mean the end of civilization as we know it. So the question you're asking would be moot.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by loinburger
BTW, it's customary that the person who gives a hypothetical eventually answers his own hypothetical, if for no other reason than that comments on our responses tend to come off as self-righteous twattery otherwise.

I'm asking the questions here.

I'm just interested in views of people with different starting beliefs, there is obviously no right or wrong answer.

If I were somehow made 100% aware of a God I really don't know how I would (re)act. The only thing I could say for certain is that I would try to find out as much about Him as possible. I would probably treat the God like I would a parent - trust Him, respect Him, but be willing to question Him.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Mercator
God could only peacefully achieve that by making us nothing more than willing puppets without any free will, I think (not exactly the sign of a benign God).

Ooooh, free will, that is a good topic point for the existence of evil. But that's for another thread.

[Soul Survivor]

none of us could possibly comprehend God's will

anyway, eternity gets pretty lonely - God could have created the universe so that he could watch it unfold, like a play albeit on a much larger stage. even the omnipotent need something to do.

I also doubt that good people will be punished simply for believing in the wrong religion.

[monkspider]

Originally posted by obiwan18


Without further clarification, I would conclude that these were demons.

An interesting take on things, Obi-Wan, old friend. I will just say this, I tend to strongly agree with the great naturalist, Audobon, "If the book and the bird disagree, trust the bird". :