What does God do....

[Sophus]

that can't already be done? Let me explain...

It does not take God to love.

It does not take God to mature.

It does not take God to become selfless.

It does not take God to bring about scruples and a genuine heart for them.

It does not take God to have a good marriage or live a good life.

So theists... what does God give you other than a free ticket to paradise in the afterlife?

[Wraitchel]

 Oh man, you asked for it! I can't wait to come back and read this thread tomorrow!

[Sophus]

roflol  Oh man, you asked for it! I can't wait to come back and read this thread tomorrow!

Ha ha. Maybe so but it seems our theist members have dwindled down anyways. But we can still hope for a show  

[Will]

I asked my father this once, and his reply was basically about shades of gray. According to him (Lutheran Pastor, so I'll have to check the Book of Concord to verify), we have some free will, but not total free will. There's influence from the devil and that's supposedly corrected by counter-influence from the Holy Ghost. So, it requires god to love in only that one wouldn't be as free to love with only influence from the devil.

Complicated? Absolutely. And to be honest, it doesn't seem about freedom as it does mutual control. From my perspective, god doesn't just give you an opportunity for heaven, there's also the threat of eternal damnation. God has the carrot and the stick, which seems, to me, to remove the "god is good" thing. Sure, everyone blames the devil, but, as usual, we find our way back to "if god is able to prevent evil but unwilling..."

[BadPoison]

that can't already be done? Let me explain...

It does not take God to love.

It does not take God to mature.

It does not take God to become selfless.

It does not take God to bring about scruples and a genuine heart for them.

It does not take God to have a good marriage or live a good life.

So theists... what does God give you other than a free ticket to paradise in the afterlife?

On the premise that god can not be disproven (only his ridiculous improbability of pink unicorn proportions) one could argue that it is uncertain his effect on all of your assertions. Something that is supposed to be outside the natural universe can not be ruled out in any of the natural universe's proceedings (Even though there is no evidence for it. And yes, it's nonsensical). How could you establish the effect of something that is by definition not discernible?

[Kyuuketsuki]

that can't already be done? Let me explain...

Indeed ... if there ever was a god he's probably dead from complete boredom.

Kyu

[BadPoison]

that can't already be done? Let me explain...

Indeed ... if there ever was a god he's probably dead from complete boredom.

Kyu

Like winding up a perfect swiss time piece and watching it tick for eternity. But no matter what, the mechanisms you put in place that govern such a machine are so perfect you would never have to do any repairs. Does seem kind of boring.

[oldschooldoc]

I am waiting eagerly to see how this is responded to   , see I'm getting all wild eyed with suspense.

[wheels5894]

Sorry, but to my mind the question presumes too much. The existence of a god is needed before one can ask about the effect it has on one. Now whilst I realise we cannot disprove a god's existence we hardly consider anything else that has to evidence to it as god does.

So, we have to regard the case as no god and no influence until evidence come to light that is convincing. It is not a question, then, about no disproving but straightforward not accepting. I bet no one here really believes that the Great Spaghetti Monster created the world despite the writings about him so we should do the same for any god.

Finally, the only thing that might count in favour of a god that I can think of is the ability to answer prayer with action. now would anyone like to claim that this has happened to them?

[dodgecity]

Great thoughts Sophus. God is an imitation of the substance of life. People find it difficult to differentiate between letting go of a myth, and losing the most admirable and felicitous parts of themselves. They equate god with the latter, when the idea of god is just a representation of what they have within themselves.

It's interesting. My deconversion was the happiest time of my life, and I couldn't understand why. I thought it was merely because I was no longer held down by rules and that I could decide my own purpose. Those things are important, but now I'm starting to realize why being an atheist is so god damn fulfilling: it's the genuine article.

[Wraitchel]

Where have all the deists gone, long time passing...?

Well, I can answer for my best buddy-the-fundy. God answers her prayers, gives her guidance, comforts her, uplifts her in her times of sorrow, holds her family together. Every good thing that comes into her life prompts a, "Thank you, Jesus." and every bad thing a, "Jesus help me." God also puts bread on the table  and a roof over their heads since daddy's a pastor and all.

That said, she is one of the most deeply stuck and screwed up individuals I know, and she never changes except to get older, sicker, and more hopeless. Her faith is strong, but everything else is constantly going to hell. She doesn't even try to take responsibility for her own life any more.

[Wechtlein Uns]

Something to laugh at. HAW HAW HAW!

[Sophus]

This thread is a bore wihout any theist/deist responses. Ah well...

[curiosityandthecat]

God gave me herpes, and now he never calls.

[Sophus]

God gave me herpes, and now he never calls.

  And he impregnated poor Mary without being wed. He sure gets around...