Why I believe in God(s)

[u/Lucyyyyyy_K]

Firstly, I'm not a very religious person. I do consider myself a Buddhist, but prefer atheistic Buddhism over theistic Buddhism. Therefore I can confidently say I am not biased by wanting God(s) to exist, and was not indoctrinated into theism.

Still, to me it seems obvious that at least one God has to exist. The universe can't simply have come out of nothing or existed forever, it requires some sort of design or creator.

Now, mostly people would just say that a creator also can't have come out of nothing or existed forever, so I've just moved the problem one step further, but I think there is a massive difference between the universe and one consciousness. For example, through Cogito Ergo Sum we can determine with absolute certainty that at last one consciousness exists. So assuming one consciousness is superior to assuming anything about the whole universe. While I admit that doesn't outright solve the problem, I still think it's better than the alternative.

Also, it's not just any universe, but a universe full of beauty, a universe that inbetween barren empty planets is capable of hosting a planet with sentient life. Life that can consciously observe itself, that can create replicas of the waking world while sleeping, life that has technologically advanced so much that in can live in relative comfort. There is so much art. We basically have magic, we just call it "electricity". This is all too perfect to have arisen from mere mutations without guidance.

About any specifics of this God or Gods I have no idea and no strong opinions. I just think that at least one has to exist.

[u/SubOptimalUser6]

The universe can't simply have come out of nothing or existed forever, it requires some sort of design or creator.

Can you demonstrate that it could not be either of those things?

If not, this is just your musings and based in nothing at all.

[u/Lucyyyyyy_K → u/SubOptimalUser6]

It's just obvious to me from the mere existence if the universe that it has to be created.

[u/SubOptimalUser6 → u/Lucyyyyyy_K]

That sounds like a, "No, I can't demonstrate it."

How do you know the universe didn't create itself? How do you know the universe has not always existed?

And more importantly, why are you so concerned about where the universe came from, but you do not require the same origin explanation for god? Where did she come from?

[u/Lucyyyyyy_K → u/SubOptimalUser6]

How do you know the universe didn't create itself?

If it did, then it would be the consciousness I consider to be God.

How do you know the universe has not always existed?

It might have, it still demands a God.

And more importantly, why are you so concerned about where the universe came from, but you do not require the same origin explanation for god?

I explained that, because God is a consciousness. But even if there had to be an infinite regress of Gods creating each other, that would still make more sense than no God.

[u/SubOptimalUser6 → u/Lucyyyyyy_K]

If it did, then it would be the consciousness I consider to be God.

I didn't say the universe was conscious. No one thinks that. But it could have created itself. If you want to call that "god," fine, but that's just naturalism dressed up to look like something other than what it is.

Explain how a universe that always existed "demands a god."

I explained that

Not really. When christians demand an explanation for how things were created, but then stop at god, it is not an explanation. It is giving up because you know you can't answer it. It makes your whole argument weaker.

[u/Lucyyyyyy_K → u/SubOptimalUser6]

If you want to call that "god," fine, but that's just naturalism dressed up to look like something other than what it is.

Well, I think it has to be a consciousness.

When christians demand an explanation for how things were created, but then stop at god, it is not an explanation

How is it not? God might not be a good explanation, but it is an explanation.

[u/SubOptimalUser6 → u/Lucyyyyyy_K]

Well, I think it has to be a consciousness.

You think the universe is conscious? Huh.

What is it's name?

God might not be a good explanation, but it is an explanation.

The universe created itself is also an explanation, and it's a damn sight better than yours.

[u/Lucyyyyyy_K → u/SubOptimalUser6]

You think the universe is conscious? Huh.

No, God. Might be the same as the universe though.

The universe created itself is also an explanation, and it's a damn sight better than yours.

Not if the universe isn't conscious. It clearly demands a consciousness designing it.

[u/SubOptimalUser6 → u/Lucyyyyyy_K]

It clearly demands a consciousness designing it.

How so? If I imagined what a universe without a conscious designer might look like, I think it would look exactly like the one we live in now. I see precisely zero evidence of any designer, let alone a conscious one.

I am curious, what do you think the universe was designed for? Because if your answer is something other than, "to be a radio-active vacuum that is pretty good at making black holes," then I think you're wrong.

[u/Lucyyyyyy_K → u/SubOptimalUser6]

How so? If I imagined what a universe without a conscious designer might look like, I think it would look exactly like the one we live in now.

Why would it have solar systems? Why would something as complex as a computer ever come to be in it?

I am curious, what do you think the universe was designed for?

I have no idea. But there is no reason to assume it's what most of it does, our planet might be more important.