Asherlee10 posted...
Can you expand on this a bit more? When you describe this god as omnibenevolent (possessing perfect goodness or maybe all-loving at all times), how would a being that has perfect goodness only do this when "possible while still maintaining order in the universe?" -- What I'm getting at is possessing something like perfect goodness would mean it would apply 100% of the time, not just where possible or as it sees fit.
Sure, I'll explain why I'm asking these sort of questions. There is ultimately a flawed approach to describing just about any deity we can dream up. For instance, if a god is omnibenevolent -- this gives birth to the Problem of Evil.
Additionally, we run into linguistic challenges when trying to describe a god. But that's sort of outside of the point right now. We tend to describe gods as just beings that are better than we are. It's always a reflection of us as humans.
In this vast universe (or multiverse) that we live in, I'm sure there are lifeforms out there. There very well could be lifeforms that are millions of years more advanced than we are. Not just scientifically, but physically. So much so, that our descriptions of these beings would quite possibly line up with our descriptions of deities.
Now, after my rambling on about definitions and the universe. The point I'm trying to make is that the Christian God and likely every god we've thought of as humans is such an egotistical view of what could potentially be higher beings. It's a very narrow scope on the actual possibilities that are out there. So, why do you believe in this one particular description of a god?
Last, I hope you do not take this as me attacking you. I just enjoy discussion. We probably won't agree but the discussion is still enjoyable.
A episode of B5 covered this. Vorlons underneath the "shower curtain" are what ever form you believe it to be. Sheridan and others saw "angels" others there saw something else their race had as a religion. It's pretty much the undercurrent of the show. Vorlons/Shadows Good vs Evil. I'm say there might be a "shepherd" alien race so advanced in RL having the same role