Before I formally start this topic, I would like to point out that the premise [personal deity] does not apply to all theists -- so as to avoid additional confusion and headache.
Some christians have their own personal brand of what a god is and isn't; whether he is a loving god or whatnot, it does not matter. This topic will try to produce evidences or at least arguments that having this reasoning [god is something personal] will result to a man-governed-idea-of-what-god-is and some social issues.
What is the effect of having such claims?
For the personal deity believers, it goes without saying that god is produced by what they think he is; the reason for this is that: they don't have any boundaries nor specific guidelines that will serve as rules to the limitations of what god is. They are free to think whatever they want, and as long as they can formulate a fairly reasonable image of god, and it pleases them then it is their own personal truth.
External factors too will be insignificant; these personal perceptions of what god is is dependent from person to person and will most likely stay that way no matter how many times we argue. The problem arises when they try to impose their personal brand of god to everyone else. (Now we know where those bombs are coming from).
How their god is formed and how many personal gods are there.
Every person has this unique personality and this is thanks to the different experiences that we encounter every single day of our ephemeral lives. Everyone has some sort of weakness, some soft spot, a blind side and whatnot; and because of this, everyone will have a different perception of what a "fatherly figure" would be like.
This was evident to the activity we had on our religious studies class, the activity was: "to describe, what god for you is". And here's a sample list:
What god for him is -- what he is.
A kind father -- Someone who have a deceased father.
Someone who lifts him up -- An emo kid who's always depressed.
His best friend -- one of the friendliest people I know.
Mentor -- school validectorian.
Forgiving being -- mischievous guy.
The list goes on.
The existence of god isn't proved in any way, he isn't showing himself or explicitly told everyone what he is like; even the christians say that he is infinite, therefore, it is but natural for them to have different perceptions of god.
(Warning, crappy example)
Think of 3 bald guys walking about.
Depending on your attitude and experiences, you'll have different perceptions on what these guys are, what they're doing, and the reason for the bald-ness.
Perhaps a "I think these guys are punks" for the bullied persons; and a "I think these guys are just doing it for fun" for someone with a happy go lucky attitude". And perhaps, you might be thinking that one is a cancer patient, and the other two is his best friends; shaved their hair off so that their friend with the cancer won't be made fun off that much -- if you are the sentimental type.
The possibilities with that example alone is almost limitless.
Now imagine if I ask you to think of a being; what happens then?
To be Continued.
No comments:
Post a Comment