If you were God...

[R_Daneel]

…what would you do differently? Or what would you do in general? Later in the thread I will present my view, but not right now, because if I did then most of the posts would be just some criticism, and not presenting your own ideas about the subject.

 

[JohnDamian]

A few things came to mind immediatly; but upon reflection it seemed more truthful to state that if I was God; I would know what to do; what might appear reasonable to my (our) finite intellects may not seem so appropriate to an infinite intellect; so it would be innaccurate and foolish for me to guess what I would “do differently” - because the chances are; granted omniscience - I would probably do nothing differently.

 

[Nooj]

I wouldn’t have created the universe.
*
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.*

• Douglas Adams.

 

[JRKH]

…what would you do differently? Or what would you do in general? Later in the thread I will present my view, but not right now, because if I did then most of the posts would be just some criticism, and not presenting your own ideas about the subject.

If I were God i wouldn’t do ANYTHING differently.
After all, if I was God then I would know why I did what I did and it would make perfect sense - To God - who is, in this case, me

Peace
James

 

[tskrobacz]

…what would you do differently? Or what would you do in general? Later in the thread I will present my view, but not right now, because if I did then most of the posts would be just some criticism, and not presenting your own ideas about the subject.

It is impossible to fully know the mind of God…we are all humbled to live in the great mysteries of this universe and awe at a majesty we can only experience. If we were to perceive anything as in need of change it would only and forever be from our own limited and inadequate minds and perspective.

 

[Myqyl]

I would likely smite anyone that second guessed me and thought they could do a better job.

Luckily, God is God and I am not. And He is infintely more patient and forgiving.

God bless

 

[WHOWHIE]

A few things came to mind immediatly; but upon reflection it seemed more truthful to state that if I was God; I would know what to do; what might appear reasonable to my (our) finite intellects may not seem so appropriate to an infinite intellect; so it would be innaccurate and foolish for me to guess what I would “do differently” - because the chances are; granted omniscience - I would probably do nothing differently.

If I were God i wouldn’t do ANYTHING differently.
After all, if I was God then I would know why I did what I did and it would make perfect sense - To God - who is, in this case, me

Peace
James

I would likely smite anyone that second guessed me and thought they could do a better job.

Luckily, God is God and I am not. And He is infintely more patient and forgiving.

God bless

Great posts!

 

[R_Daneel]

I wouldn’t have created the universe.
*
In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.*

• Douglas Adams.

Well said! For a being, which is perfect, self-sufficient, who needs nothing, it would be completely illogical to do anything. After all, the road can only lead downhill from the top. Perfection can only be lessened by creating anything. (God+world < God)

To the other posters: you don’t want to criticize the “boss”? Are you “afraid” of possible repercussions? Or you truly have real super-blind faith… Truth be told, I was very sure that no Catholic will come and offer an opinion, but I was hoping. JohnDamian had a few ideas, but unfortunately he did not present them.

 

[MerryCatholic]

…what would you do differently? Or what would you do in general? Later in the thread I will present my view, but not right now, because if I did then most of the posts would be just some criticism, and not presenting your own ideas about the subject.

iam not God, nor will i ever be. so there is nothing i can add.

 

[cargau]

…what would you do differently? Or what would you do in general? Later in the thread I will present my view, but not right now, because if I did then most of the posts would be just some criticism, and not presenting your own ideas about the subject.

Any attempt to answer this question presupposes that one can do a better job than God.
Isn’t that exactly what Lucifer thought???

Pride kills…souls!

 

[Myqyl]

Well said! For a being, which is perfect, self-sufficient, who needs nothing, it would be completely illogical to do anything. After all, the road can only lead downhill from the top. Perfection can only be lessened by creating anything. (God+world < God)

To the other posters: you don’t want to criticize the “boss”? Are you “afraid” of possible repercussions? Or you truly have real super-blind faith… Truth be told, I was very sure that no Catholic will come and offer an opinion, but I was hoping. JohnDamian had a few ideas, but unfortunately he did not present them.

You can’t see how the universe can have a purpose, ergo there is no purpose? When I didn’t know the purpose of something I always assumed that it was a lack of knowledge on my part and not necessarily a lack of purpose on it’s part. Nothing personal, but it seems like the epitome of arrogance to assume the universe has no purpose simply because you can’t understand it’s purpose… How much time have you put into trying to discern it’s purpose? Or do you just “truly have real super-blind faith” in Douglas Adams? Great books, btw…

I gave you my answer and I stand by it. I also addressed your question of “possible repercussions”… If I were God, there would be some serious repercussions… Luckily, I’m not. And neither is Douglas Adams

God bless

 

[JDaniel]

A few things came to mind immediatly; but upon reflection it seemed more truthful to state that if I was God; I would know what to do; what might appear reasonable to my (our) finite intellects may not seem so appropriate to an infinite intellect; so it would be innaccurate and foolish for me to guess what I would “do differently” - because the chances are; granted omniscience - I would probably do nothing differently.

John:

I am with you. I would do nothing different. But, I’m not somebody afflicted - at least I hope and pray I’m not.

God bless,
jd

 

[JRKH]

Well said! For a being, which is perfect, self-sufficient, who needs nothing, it would be completely illogical to do anything. After all, the road can only lead downhill from the top. Perfection can only be lessened by creating anything. (God+world < God)

But if you were God you would know more than R Daneel does and so you would know that what R Daneel thinks “lessens” you is not true.
That is something you would know if you were God.

To the other posters: you don’t want to criticize the “boss”? Are you “afraid” of possible repercussions? Or you truly have real super-blind faith… Truth be told, I was very sure that no Catholic will come and offer an opinion, but I was hoping. JohnDamian had a few ideas, but unfortunately he did not present them.

It is not a matter of critisizing. The question you asked is “If you were God…” I answered that question.
If I were God, then I would not be James. I would not have James’ limited viewpoint. I would not think like James. Instead I would be God. I would have God’s unlimited viewpoint. I would think like God. Therefore, it follows that I would do nothing different.

See what I mean???

Peace
James

 

[R_Daneel]

See what I mean???

I sure do. And that is what I call “blind faith” in authority.

Suppose you would see your real life boss doing something that is obviously nonsensical (for example going around in the office, wielding a huge axe, and destroying everything in sight) would you just assume, that “he knows best”? I don’t think so. You have exactly as much direct information about God’s “purpose” as you would have about your bosses “purpose”. Yet, I somehow suspect that you would not simply accept your boss’s activity.

 

[ab75]

Any attempt to answer this question presupposes that one can do a better job than God.
Isn’t that exactly what Lucifer thought???

Pride kills…souls!

I don’t necessarily see it this way. We can also acknowledge that the finite mind can’t possible comprehend the entirety that is God. As a result, if we were somehow given that awesome power, without a change in intellect and knowledge, we would almost certainly do things different. That doesn’t mean we think we can do it “better”, or that we want the power to challenge God, it just means that most of our minds lack the full understanding of God, nor the universal knowledge of both time and space.

I fully admit I don’t like the suffering that is often necessary to edify us. I also admit that I wish so many pleasurable things didn’t also have destructive qualities. I don’t look at the question as what would I change, but rather what things would I likely have done different because I don’t have the perspective of God. I’m sure I’d want to limit free will to avoid wars and pain. I’d certainly want to limit free will with regard to the afterlife, so that people wouldn’t be seperated from loved ones that didn’t accept God.

I’d do these things, not because I’d know better, but because I don’t understand fully yet. I can still fully trust in God’s ways and plan, and recognize that my finite mind can’t understand all of them.

 

[ab75]

I sure do. And that is what I call “blind faith” in authority.

Suppose you would see your real life boss doing something that is obviously nonsensical (for example going around in the office, wielding a huge axe, and destroying everything in sight) would you just assume, that “he knows best”? I don’t think so. You have exactly as much direct information about God’s “purpose” as you would have about your bosses “purpose”. Yet, I somehow suspect that you would not simply accept your boss’s activity.

There is much good that comes out of many tragedies. I, like you, have a finite mind and would not want that to happen, and would want to stop it. However, I trust that God allows free will and bad things to happen for his purpose, and gives people an opportunity to help. The whole of Space and time is like an amazing piece of art, say the whole of the Sisteen Chapel, yet what we see is just a spec, as if we were an inch away. From our vantage point, it can be hard to tell what we are looking at.

 

[R_Daneel]

Effectively you all say that this is the best possible world. Since this is what God created, it cannot be improved upon. Of course there is one huge logical error in this assessment: namely, that this world is dynamic! Nothing that changes can ever be the “best”. I wonder of you realize the significance of this?

The world sometimes gets better, sometimes gets worse. Therefore it is not the “best” possible world, since the “best” possible world (if there could be such a state of events) is necessarily static. Since it is not static, it can be improved upon. If it can be improved upon, God could have made a better world.

 

[ab75]

Effectively you all say that this is the best possible world. Since this is what God created, it cannot be improved upon. Of course there is one huge logical error in this assessment: namely, that this world is dynamic! Nothing that changes can ever be the “best”. I wonder of you realize the significance of this?

The world sometimes gets better, sometimes gets worse. Therefore it is not the “best” possible world, since the “best” possible world (if there could be such a state of events) is necessarily static. Since it is not static, it can be improved upon. If it can be improved upon, God could have made a better world.

Yes, the world (or things in it) from our perspective will improve and get worse. It has always happened, and will until the Lord comes again. Once again, this is a view from our current place and time. I understand why these questions are asked, and I’m fascinated in them, as it is hard to comprehend why some things happen and all the wonders in the world. I don’t believe because I think God created a perfect world (although I do think God created a perfect world beyond our comprehension, because I believe.

I believe, because when I read or hear the Bible and the church, spiritually, I see the unbelievable truth of freedom that comes in Christ. Relationship with and in Christ gives us complete freedom from fears, anxiety and self that allows us to become fully alive and give of ourselves. It’s because I know this in life, that I can have faith that the world God created is perfect, even though it seems perfectly imperfect from my finite perception. From a human perspective, of course it isn’t perfect, we have disease, famine, disasters and many other issues that make it less than perfect for humans, while it is still uniquely perfect for the human race to have survived.

 

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by JRKH
See what I mean???

Evidently you don’t see what I mean, as evident by your example below.

Suppose you would see your real life boss doing something that is obviously nonsensical (for example going around in the office, wielding a huge axe, and destroying everything in sight) would you just assume, that “he knows best”? I don’t think so. You have exactly as much direct information about God’s “purpose” as you would have about your bosses “purpose”. Yet, I somehow suspect that you would not simply accept your boss’s activity.

Equating this example to the original question though - I would not be “me” looking at My Boss’ and evaluating what he was doing. I would BE my boss, and in so being, I would not be ME.
As such, being that person and not who I am, I would think and act as that person.

Now, it appears that what you asked is not really what you wanted to ask. Rather, it appears you want us to “take over as God”, evaluate what He has doen and how he did it and make observation, recommendation, evaluation on what and how He did things so far. That is considerably different than what was asked.

Peace
James

 

[R_Daneel]

Yes, the world (or things in it) from our perspective will improve and get worse.

No, not just from our perspective. Objectively gets better and worse. Therefore it cannot be the “best” possible world. It is the dynamic aspect of the world, which denies its “best” status. If you say that the world is dynamic from our perspective, but static from God’s perspective, you would state a logical contradiction.