Theland. My answer is, I don't. That's my honest opinion based on many years of living and observing the world and reading and listening to other views.
I once became aware of god, but I believe it was an illusion arising from extreme emotional disturbance. I still don't believe that there is a god. Certainly not a 'father' who punishes or rewards - it wouldn't be in or of our time or space and would not relate to us in a personal way. In my opinion.
Unless Theland can answer, I am left to suffer the horrors of hell for eternity. Gnashing of teeth, wailing, pain suffered in the eternal lake of fire, eternal tears and regret, my body rotting as it is ate by worms etc.
But if I love God then all is OK :-)
Stockholm Syndrome anyone?
My understanding of consciousness, mind and creativity as emergent qualities arising from processes taking place by means of an evolving universe preclude the possibility of a preexisting mindful purposeful creator being.
That said, in seeking to understand the intentions of those who propose a 'God', I've found an ever more compelling respect for reality.
Mibs - A bit confusing.
Go further back.
13.7 billion years.
The universe had a beginning.
It is a creation.
What created it?
A Creator?
I think so.
God.
What is your reasoning?
Mibs - A bit confusing.
Go further back.
13.7 billion years.
The universe had a beginning.
It is a creation.
What created it?
A Creator?
I think so.
God.
What is your reasoning? 00:27 Thu 21st Mar 2019
Reason is another emergent quality arising from that which makes it possible, a highly developed and evolved consciousness. Mindful purposeful creation implies the existence of the means and process which makes it possible. Since creation requires a mind and a mind requires a highly evolved living functioning organism, it is not reasonable to suggest that the universe in which it came to be was itself the product of a creative process.
I would not presume the universe had a beginning until I had acquired a fundamental understanding of the means and process by which it (or an alleged creator) came into existence. We are only now beginning to develop the tools required to understand the nature of the universe we find ourselves in let alone how it came into existence in the first place. The better we understand the means and process of creation the less likely it appears it was simply wished into existence.