Wow lots of replies in just one day! I will address some of them:
Honestbrother said:
quote:
"Why should he be as you describe? Are you God?"
No bro, I ain't God; ya see I have an idea of a being I would call "God". This being would have to be superior to humans in a way we could never equal morally, logically, and in knowledge and power. He would also have to be a non evolving being that is responsible for all that exists.
If a being did exist that was anything less than the above discription, in spite of what others might call him, I would not call him God.
Vox said:
quote:
"For those of us who believe in God, the question of what the world would be like without him is simple: there would be no world.
If you could rephrase the question a bit, it might be possible to have a fuller discussion from a non-atheist."
Okay I shall rephrase. Supposed the world did exist and you were simply wrong concerning the existence of God; how do you think it would be different than it is now?
Shulamite and Honestbro said:
quote:
"If God doesn't exist, on what basis are you able to determine what is "capricious or malevolent"?"
The dictionary defines capricious and malevolent. If behavior is according to what is defined in the dictionary, I would conclude that behavior as capricious and malevolent.
Shumalite again:
quote:
"But if God doesn't exist, then we have no way to even rationally begin to broach what is "good" or "bad", imo."
I disagree! If that were true, than those who have never had any contact with your idea of God wouldn't be able to broach what is good or bad. A quick look around you and you will see that isn't the case.
Oshun Auset said:
quote:
"Since I have a vastly different god/spiritual concept than most. To answer this question properly, I would have to know what definition of 'God' are you using, or rather, what god concept you are adressing."
The God concept I am addressing is the one (whatever that is)
YOU believe exist. If this God didn't exist, how would things be different?
quote:
"From what I can tell, the god-concept you are addressing is very limited, and isn't shared by many theists of the non X-ian fundamentalist type... You do know this right?"
You are getting a little off the subject chief! The question is not about the example of a God concept I gave, that's my own personal discription of a being I would recognize as a God; the question is about YOUR concept of God and how things would be different if he didn't exist.
quote:
"I have no problem with atheism or atheists... but I think you need to stop limiting the conversation by only dealing with one god-concept which is not universal whatsoever."
As I said before; the question is about YOUR concept of God, not mine.
Shayabuther said:
quote:
"I like the ideal of a free world where I have free choice. I like that I have a father/teacher/discipler/comforter/friend who's got my back....and I like the idea that people can actually "get along" and help each other, exhibiting the love, caring and compassion that a Creator has for what is created."
Okay; supposed your God didn't exist? How would things be different than they are right now?
Kevin
PS
I find it interesting that "Listener" was the one person who obviously doesn't believe in God is the only one who actually answered the question.