The Origin of God

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

— Epicurus (341–270 B.C.), Greek philosopher


Is there such a being as God? If so, what is the nature of Him/Her/It? Is God mysterious and hidden from view or overt and in plain sight? Is God wrathful or gentle? Does God rain down righteous judgement on a sinful mankind? Or is God simply the invention of overactive human imagination, which has a tendency to impart human qualities to inanimate objects, animals, and their surroundings?

For this discussion, I will attempt to seperate the concept of God from the concept of religion. Different religions have different Gods, some with elaborate hierarchies of divine beings, and differing amounts of interaction between the divine and humans. The majority of the information regarding these 'supreme beings' is located in the writings of these religions, but the concept of 'God' reaches further back, and predates most of the mythology and mysticism that pervades most religions. Pre-historic man probably could not help but see the sun and feel some kind of awe. After all, it gave light, warmth, and caused the plants to grow. Even now, with all of the science and greater understanding we have of the nature of the sun, it still holds the same importance in our lives. Most early religions worshipped things in nature, or at least held them in high regard.

The question then becomes- 'Is God the creator of all things, or embodied in all things? Or both? Or neither?'. Noone can truly verify the existence or nature of God. All we can do is observe and attempt to seperate what is real, from what we have been taught. Most people have preconceived notions of what God is, and what (if any) expectations they believe that God has. It is nearly impossible for someone to grow up in any culture and not absorb some of the beliefs of that culture, even if they do not necessarily believe in any of it themselves. Some are happy and content to accept what they are taught, and to not question it. Others boldly defy what is taught, and work to expose the inconsistencies and overt hypocrisy embodied within those beliefs. Some are able to piece together something that is probably more accurate by educating themselves, questioning, and reasoning, but unfortunately these are rare, as the vast majority prefer acceptance and passivity.

There are many stories of peoples personal acceptance of God. Most revolve around people who grew up being fed their parents notions of the nature of God, and after they 'went astray' were put back on the path, and now they've been 'saved'. The delusions that are injected into children when they are young will stay rooted in their subconcious after they grow up, and won't ever allow the adult to make clear decisions, or question the validity of their beliefs. These beliefs are reinforced by others who have had the same conditioning, and the cycle continues on and on. As I repeatedly implore people to do, never accept something just because it makes you feel better.

The individuals life must be a continuous search for truth. It is necessary to take caution when dismissing things as untrue, or accepting things as true. Always take into account that everyone has biases and preconceptions, try to determine what yours are, and make sure that you are aware of how they color your perception. Remember how myths and rumors propagate, and how to spot and avoid them. Exercise reason and logic in all things, and above all, never stop questioning.

The fool may say in his heart that there is no God, but the real fool is the one who never questions it.

Next Time: Get Up, Stand Up