gad-fly wrote: ↑March 7th, 2020, 1:02 pm
This is not a thread about whether to believe in God's existence. Nor is it an argument that you should adhere or belong to some religious group. This is a thread to discuss the role of the Creator in religion in general.
By God, let us say he is the Creator, the first entity that we have ever known. If indeed, he is what brings us into being, for which we should be grateful. He is transcendent, defined as: Theol. (of God) having continuous existence outside the created world; free from the limitations inherent in matter. But why should we bother about him. He is great, so what, as long as he leaves us alone. We can worship him at our discretion, or we can carry on dong what can be more important.
But who really 'bothers' about this?
You asked, Why should we bother about "him". My question is, does anyone really bother?
Is there an answer to; Why should we bother about anything?
Either some one "bothers" about some thing, or they do not "bother". I am not sure that there would be an answer to, Why should people "bother"?
If people choose to "bother" about some thing, then that is of there own choosing. I do not see how a "should" would be involved in this.
Asking; Why someone 'should' bother to do what will help in creating a Truly peaceful "world" for everyone, then that is one thing of which an answer could be given.
But asking; Why someone 'should' bother about "him", (a yet unknown thing by most), is like asking, Why some one 'should' bother about any other unknown thing? Is there even anyone "bothering" about unknown things?
gad-fly wrote: ↑March 7th, 2020, 1:02 pm
This brings in a crucial point. He has influence and he would exercise that influence at his discretion. He is the shepherd. You shall not want. Make no mistake, though. He guides you through the valley of death at his discretion. You must be his lamb, to follow his order. You must be good, because Santa Claus is coming to town.
What is the so called "crucial point" here?
You imply "he" is important, but then you imply "he" is not even real? So, what was the point?
By the way, Why 'should' you "bother" about santa claus here?
gad-fly wrote: ↑March 7th, 2020, 1:02 pm
But it is more than that. What if you already have enough toys to play with? You better be good, because RETRIBUTION is also coming to town. Carrot is accompanied by stick, and it is a heavy stick. Fear the stick more than wishing for the carrot. This is what turns many into religion. and why its staying power will be sustained. Atheist: beware.
If, as you say above in this post, that this thread is not about whether to believe in God's existence, but this thread is about the role of the Creator in religion, then you seem to have contradicted yourself by the end of this post.
Is there a "role" of the Creator in religion in general?
From what I have observed, there are just many stories about a Creator. And the varying different stories of the Creator are just that; Stories about Creation.
As for a role of some thing, which is implied to be 'bigger' than just human beings, then that role is: There is some thing just, that KNOWS what is Right in Life.
ALL human beings have access to this just Thing. And, if, and when, human beings start looking at things from this bigger perspective, instead of from their own individual, very little perspectives, then they have the Right and True guidance from which to voluntarily follow from.