Mantus

Well here it is, a slightly more crystallized answer to the original question. Sorry it took so long.

If I say that God created the universe, do you feel comforted that it was not the result of a cosmic accident? Why would you prefer God by your side rather then luck? Does it make you feel better to know that God will welcome you into the afterlife upon your death? Do you feel less alone in those dark hours if you know that God is with you?

Why?

The answer lies in our concept of God. The properties, attributes and give the word God a meaning, a definition, an essence. We describe god as conscious, good, loving, just, vengeful, helpful, all powerful and in many other ways. Only then does the evoking the word God bring significance to the statements mentioned above. Only then do we feel comforted that a good god created the world; that a just god is by our side; and that a loving god will be waiting at the gates of heaven.

This is where the waves of faith break against reason. For every attribute that is given to god contradictions and arguments arise.

A claim is made that god is good and all around us, then why do bad things happen?
A claim is made that god just, then why is there injustice in this world?
A claim is made that god loves us all, then why does he favor some and not others?
A claim is made that god is vengeful, then why does he not bring his fist upon the wicked?
A claim is made that god is helpful then why does he ignore people in need?
Oh there are always answers and excuses but they never give us clarity. Eventually these God’s of ours grow into complex and detailed concepts, barely holding together, smoke and mirrors.

There are further problems. God is often used to fill gaps in our knowledge. To answer those difficult questions which take lifetimes to illuminate. There will always be gaps in our knowledge, yet our knowledge is always expanding and what we do not understand today may be clear as day tomorrow. God is not an answer; it is simply a choice to stop asking questions. Some one will always choose to ask those questions and eventually answers will come. So when we so readily use God as an answer we must realize that sooner or later God will have to be pushed aside to make room for knowledge.

The essence of god cannot be captured. The role of god cannot be known. The more questions we ask the more distant God becomes.

In the end though a particular proverb always gets me. “There are no atheists in the trenches.” Which bring everything into perspective for me. God is there because we cannot always bear not knowing how this world came into being. God is there because we cannot always bear entrusting our lives to statistics. God is there because we cannot always question what is on the other side of the veil. God is there because we cannot always bear being alone. God is whatever we want it to be. The concept of God, just like anything else, can be used for whatever purpose we desire, good or evil. Therefore I must conclude that while God is a very useful tool for our society, it is not pure, it fades from our grasp if we look at it hard enough. Therefore I must continue looking for that which is solid and true, that will show us our path, if such a path even exists.


Cheers