Speculating About God? | Episode 1505 | Closer To Truth
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 เม.ย. 2020
- In searching, striving to know God-if there is a God-we discover contrasting ways that God could be. It is good to wonder about God, see a landscape of possibilities, get the big picture of what God may be like. Featuring interviews with Peter Forrest, Hubert L. Dreyfus, Neil N. Gillman, Subhash Kak, J.L. Schellenberg, and Michael Tooley.
Season 15, Episode 5 - #CloserToTruth
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Closer To Truth host Robert Lawrence Kuhn takes viewers on an intriguing global journey into cutting-edge labs, magnificent libraries, hidden gardens, and revered sanctuaries in order to discover state-of-the-art ideas and make them real and relevant.
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Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.
#God #Theology
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this has to be one of my new fav channels
Welcome to the club
We are born with the Spark of Divinity ! We are Sovereign we are Free ! We love our neighbor as we love ourselves ! We are Stewards for Nature and all life !!!
This episode reminded me of the Montaigne quote "Man is certainly stark mad. He cannot make a worm, but he will be making gods by dozens".
Excellent Robert.
Another great episode. Hard to believe this series is free
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist I don't know why but your statement sort of reminded me of this scene in Jesus of Nazareth:
th-cam.com/video/LBJ1hBdDN08/w-d-xo.html
Sorry couldn't resist 😏
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist which one of the thousand of gods do you worship?
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist but there were thousands of gods from civilizations that predate jesus and the old testament god, why did god allow them to invent those gods, why didn't he show up earlier? It's not those civilization's fault, btw those passages sound like what a lawyer's king would write so everybody believe in his divinity only, not great proof of truthyness'
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist it's possible; I think it's important to remember, however, that we were created by the Logos as curious beings who naturally search for Truth. Before the Bible was written there was no book for a fundamentalist to go to for all his/her answers. All humans had to seek God through our human faculties and relationship with the world.
The Seekers are some my favorite people, and I doubt they will end up in some eternal torment based solely on the seeking.
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist You are one of the dumbest individuals commenting in this channel. Also you aren't fooling nobody, you hypocrite. You use the name "Jesus" to cover the fact people like you are racists, hate/despise vast majority of the planet due to race or religion. You pretend be fighting against "evil imaginary communists" to have an excuse for your anti-christian CULT OF MONEY. You are just a coward, a pathetic puppet of the billionaires. Your cult has nothing to do with Jesus. Your god is the dollar, your gospel is the agenda of billionaires and capitalists.
I love how the rabbi basically said "god makes no frickin sense..." but still believes
If He was comprehendable, would He still be God?
@@Dee-nonamnamrson8718 Well, as long as you can acknowledge that there is no reason to suppose that the first incomprehensible thing to occur to people has no reason to be the true nature of god.
@@DestroManiak I'd gladly acknowledge that you cant make any inferences about the nature of God based on incomprehensible occurrences.
@@Dee-nonamnamrson8718 Therefore we should not even try comprehending god?
❤️ The best series ever.... Great free contents of freedom
Really great man Thank u Laurence
Love this.
I like that: "God is un-representable." Clearly we have no symbols, other than words, to depict the Big Guy. I cleave to the way Jesus represented him. (Not Christianity, just Jesus.)
No need to speculate - when your time comes to meet your Creator, True God- will answer all you ponder, Mr. PF
Life is short, is there something more valuable than speculating on an unsolvable inquiry?
Food for Thought 👍👍
But, questions can never end...
a) If You find the most/last fundamental particle... the very next question will be..."From where this last fundamental particle came?"
b) If You find God... the very next question will be..."From where God came?"
c) If You say this last fundamental particle/God existed always.... the next questions will be...
"Who/Which rule decided that the God is to be good/powerful/one etc. (Why not many Gods/less powerful God/evil God)"
"Which rule decided that the last fundamental particle will have these properties only, which it will possess...why not some different properties?"
"How can an immaterial God make something material? What is the process behind this conversion?"
What is the energy source of an immaterial thing by which it can sustain?
etc.
etc.
Therefore in spirituality/Yoga they say that we should focus on achieving Supreme Happiness (Happiness/Bliss that never goes away).
Even if we find everything in the universe, ultimately we will achieve satisfaction/happiness.
So, they say don't give much importance to knowledge (because questions can never end)...but give importance to the path which leads you to a state of default/supreme happiness, which once achieved never ever goes away..
God is nothing but this state. Once we achieve this state, they say, we are no different from God...then, we become God.
As an African, I've been unsatisfied for a loooong time a the dichotomy of Western and Eastern. There are other philosophies and traditions too all over the world, and they have a lot to offer too!
Like what?
Would love to hear more about your knowledge.
Robert is the perfect example of someone who really really needs to use entheogenic plants. He needs to learn the Primacy of direct experience.
While I acknowledge that the use of psychedelics can bring about unprecedented insight, in one form or another, I doubt it would take Robert 'closer to truth', as he puts it. It would provide just one more perspective in addition to the ones he already subscribes to.
@@delawareciao6428 ... Yeah, I think Robert is beyond help.
Hahahaha well. No. The illusion of drugs to experience truth is one of the ultimate fantasies of non believers who worship their own selves instead of the Creator.
It does seem a bit of a conundrum to say God is perfect, and yet, at the same time, we are swimming in imperfection. That was cleared up for me, by the 5th Epochal Revelation... God does have a perfect universe, Havona. But God also wanted for there to be a realm where imperfection could evolve into perfection (the worlds of time and space). Where imperfect beings could choose to become more perfect... to choose to love him voluntarily. And want to be like him, because it feels right!
Naturally, to go from terribly imperfect to perfect, is an extremely long road. Not for the lazy, or indolent... One has to care about it. But the idea that I could be perfect one day, blows my mind! (In a good way.)
Materialism denies the next life. To believe that this life is the 'thing' that proves the perfection of Allah is the mistake of materialists.
Let me go a bit further...in Islam the 'belief' for lack of a better word, in Judgement Day and the afterlife are as important as the belief in Allah. It is one of the pillars of faith but you are only taught about the five things that distinguish a muslim from a non muslim. There are actually several more that are required for all muslims to believe. Judgement Day, Tawheed, Imamate (the Sunnis suppress this one very actively) to name three of the critical ones. Materialism denies resurrection and judgement and to speculate on the imperfection of a created world, created specifically to test a person, is going to get you no where. Interesting that no muslim scholar was asked to chime in on this particular talk.
In the catholic tradition (especially in the thomistic tradition) God can be described positively only in analogic terms. But in a negative way he can somewhat be described, namely in apophatic terms what he is not: not caused by something other, not dependant on outside sources for persisting, not composed of parts, not having separate qualities, not limited in space and time, not perishable etc., in summa not contingent. Moreover I think that people like Michael Tooley who speak of God as being a person hang on to a anthropomorphic picture of God which is not commonly shared by theologians. If they use the term person , they assume that God has at least the qualities of a person , while understanding that he exceeds the qualities we normally attribute to a person, for exemple having willpower or being able to communicate etc.
I would suggest to make a video about mystical experiences of God (like the experience of Blaise Pascal).
I've never found anyone who likes speculating about God, like do.. Most people don't even want to address the issue.
I am always the first watching your video's Robert.
Nope
15:13 *the nature of God* “God creates humanity to participate in the redemption of the world-that God needs people in order to bring redemption to history.”
Hail Odin!
Carlin "I worship the Sun"!never lets us down!
I agree. I expect God does enjoy humans speculating about him...
Olden beliefs about a stern God strike me as arcane. People started out thinking every unexplained phenomenon was a manifestation of a god, particularly with respect to volcanoes, lightening, etc. So naturally they treated the subject with complete seriousness. But now that we have explanations for most of the nasty stuff in nature, that frees us up to connect with God in a more relaxed manner... even intimately delightful ways.
Allah doesn't need you. One way or the other. Allah provides examples so that you will know that Allah is the creator because the examples are mind bogglingly outrageous. Like the bat. Or the peacock. Or fish that provide their own illumination in the darkness at the bottom of the oceans.
Some great interviews... some very interesting atheist views in John Schellenberg’s “ultimism” and the distinction between “belief” and “faith”, and Michael Michael Tooley’s critique of Tillich’s God as the “Ground of all being” as defensible but irrelevant. I would say to Michael Tooley that it’s relevance is both ethical and spiritual - it makes all sentient life kin, and it leads me to go deeper into the silence aka “Divine darkness”.
Hey uremove... what do you mean by "Divine darkness?"
John Brzykcy Yes... Good question! It sounds a bit confusing I realise. It’s a phrase used by apophatics like Dionysus the Areopagite, in his “Mystical Theology” for the state of “unknowing” ie. when the chatter of thoughts becomes silent - quote: “...leave behind the senses and the operations of the intellect, and all things sensible and intellectual, and all things in the world of being and non-being, that thou mayest arise by unknowing towards the union, as far as is attainable, with Him who transcends all being and all knowledge. For by the unceasing and absolute renunciation of thyself and of all things thou mayest be borne on high, through pure and entire self-abnegation, into the superessential Radiance of the Divine Darkness.”
www.esotericarchives.com/oracle/dionys1.htm#chap1
If only Robert would interview Joe Religious Public. The difference between their views of god and these intellectuals is staggering. Which is the way religious institutions prefer. Simplistic explanations are much easier to digest, believe.
Good and Evil is within the mind, so could we exist in the mind of God.
Evil and good was created by the god of the old testament.
Good and evil exist in everyone , don't blame satan for the evil in you
@@kootdirker2448 who should we blame?
Yes, that is exactly it.good and evil is within the mind,vso God wants to exist in your mind too, especially because He is your creator.
@@kootdirker2448 Satan does not come with horns, he is that evil spirit
Just like God is spirit (invisible
A segment from 'Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within'...
My new understandings of what many call 'God -The Holy Spirit' - resulting from some of the extraordinary ongoing after-effects relating to my NDE...
Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave.
The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist.
For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is.
Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment.
The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing.
The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlies all spiritual and physical existence.
The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law that allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists.
Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’.
On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication.
For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything.
NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us.
as a proud Catholic I do have speculation even myself. when I do things for myself I do very very well. but when I do things in faith and Gods name and good. I for some reason I struggle. that is my puzzle.
Can you do a video on Process Theology?
Even as children we ask questions. "But mum, then who created God?"
Thank you so much for these videos. I could not agree more that there is simply nothing that God enjoys more than us speculating about him, especially when we do it publicly.
How does Peter Forrest reconcile the accounts of the Israelites led by Moses and later by Joshua committing genocide against many people and in some cases even animals with a God that loves everyone? I think this is a popular misconception of the God of the Bible, because of our failure to fully understand that the soul and the body are separate things that can exist apart from each other. God has given our soul a body that it might choose to serve it or him.
Hubert L. Dreyfus mischaracterizes Jewdism and the physical relationship between God and man. Adam, Noah, Job, Abraham, Isacc, Israel, Moses, and presumably Elijah all had personal encounters with a physical God.
It is so hard to hear Neil N. Gillman talk about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. The difference between a servant and a slave is huge. The reason Adam and Eve were given a choice to sin and Moses led the people out of Egypt is that God desires servants, not slaves. If God had neither put the tree in the garden nor told them not to eat of it they would have had no choice but to be God's slaves. Instead throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, we see people given the choice to do what God says or not. Does your soul desire to do the will of God or does it long for the desires of the flesh?
"The God that emerges from the biblical narrative does not have it all together. God is a notable failure." Wow, this is not the God I see in the Torah which appears to be what he is talking about when he says this, but I subscribe to the Documentary Hypothesis idea that the Torah was changed a few times. First a blending of Northern and Southern Kingdom traditions around the fall of the Northern Kingdom. An overlay just before the exile to Babylon and another overlay upon the return. The primary purpose of the major prophets is to teach people how the lying pen of the scribes changed the Torah.
Gillman's failure to associate the beginning of chapter 6 with its end is a mystery to me. All that we are of aware of that God created was good, an outside influence polluted it, he washed it down and started again. what is so hard to understand?
I see a God that set up some very simple tests to see which souls he put in which bodies would choose to do what he said and which souls would choose to follow their own desires. The tests have not changed just what we need to be reminded of as we have gotten further and further away from those that actually walked with God and our ancestors have failed their duty to tells us our history.
To me, Gillman is a perfect example of someone that creates a God in the image they want to see.
Agree
I don’t believe God wants us to be servants just like parents don’t want their children to be servants. Parents love their children and want them to do as they say because parents want children to make good choices that will help ensure their happiness and wellbeing. I believe God views us as his children and wants us to love and to learn. This is why he is so forgiving and loves us unconditionally, much like good parents love their children.
@@TimJohnston911 WOW that was a long time ago.
I stand by the idea that this world is God's servant factory. We have been invited into God's house as His servants and there is no Hell for those who do not make the cut only an end to existence. Yeshua's message of "Repent for the Kingdom is at hand" might best be translated as God does not care what you have done in the past only what you would do in the future if He turned you loose in His house unsupervised.
I think arriving at God's front door claiming to be His child might be a little presumptuous, I am fine using the service entrance and if I am His child He will recognize me as in the story of the prodigal son.
Shalom
Having been raised a christian, I’m quite surprised to find myself leaning toward a multi tiered, multi component god thing of the Hindu. I hope you asked the Hindu guy about the problem of good and evil? Should we distinguish god from spirituality also?
It might be interesting, in this type of discussion, to substitute the word “god” for “alien”. What is the nature of aliens might be a much more tangible problem.
Martyr4JesusTheChrist I don’t believe “serving god” requires I abdicate reason. I stopped listening to that crap when I became old enough to vote.
@Stefano Portoghesi no god of religion will be able to answer you.
Only the believers will answer for their god or act for their god
Had a conversation with my parents and asked them if they've known me all my life then I asked them if they could tell me what I was thinking at any given moment if I didnt say it out loud. Then I asked if as a mere human somebody who's known me all my life dont even know what I'm thinking much less for anybody to say they know what a God (if such a thing exist) is thinking
One of my Jewish friends in the debate is saying that when God Introduced freedom into the world by giving Adam The freedom to chose between the Knowledge of Good and evil that God made a mistake. Even if you accept this as a premise, which I do not, Ultimately for me God is Love, This is clearly illustrated from the beginning of the Biblical narrative in the Old Testament through to the end. The manifold characteristics of God's nature and personality are clearly demonstrated when God called Abraham from Ur to Canaan. The process of reconciliation began and continued throughout the whole of the history of the Old Testament . The wisdom Literature, Proverbs, Psalms, the prophets, The mistakes that Israel makes during two thousand years years of God calling them back to the reality of his love. God asking them to take responsibility for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger in our midst is a clear illustration of a God of LOVE. The Son of God suffering on The Cross is the ultimate expression of that Love for me and the whole of humanity. Praise God The Father, for his Son and for His Holy Spirit and Bless His Holy City Jerusalem.
Yeah, praise the Lord, praise His holy name, only God is wise. Alleluia!!!!!!!
And praise Him for the New holy city Jerusalem too.
Dear Mr. Kuhn,
There is no meaning in all these concepts I analyse, viz. "Free will, consciousness, Truth, ... ", so long as I haven't defined "I" as a particular sequence of particles and specify a definite criterion of proof related to satisfaction of my needs to verify the accuracy of the theory I assume as to the origin of those particles.
I wanna listen to Robert with this background music it’s kinda anxiolytic:
The best apologetics channel, starring Dr. Disingenuous.
This channel churns out the HQ content!
'Extend the landscape' using the ancient Greek term 'organising principle' in place of 'God'.
Wonderful interviews.
Complete Answers? Really? Even a book written by celestial beings (The Urantia Book), admits that it is only partial. (But a lot more than we had before.)
If a person lost their Father or Mother in childhood they go entire life seeking their identity,
Yet most of us dont care to seek identify of our Creator.
Shut up.
Notice how most people don't have to seek out their parents or children and they can still love them without having to force them into loving them? I've yet to see a justification for divine hiddeness...
Maybe this Creator, which I assume has no father or mother, is spending the eternity seeking His identity by punishing those who don't kneel before Him.
@@ferdinandkraft857
You getting punished everytime you curse,ungrateful,do a wrong?
Until an appointed time,Death,you have complete freedom,dont you?
Instead of speaking whimsically,perhaps should seek knowledge.
@@tothesciencemobile4707 Religion is maintained by our the inability to control processes that are detrimental to our existence .When fear grips humanity in wake of disasters , beliefs in deity are flourishing again .When science falls short in delivering safety religion is the only rope left towards life and survivors grab on it really hard ,maintaining it as their ways of life .
Do you have any episodes where you focus on the biblical manuscripts and chronology? If not, that would be a good topic of discussion.
www.amazon.com/Junia-Apostle-Eldon-Jay-Epp/dp/0800637712
The role of women in the early Christian communities and the ethical management of first sources by public and private entities. Look for the controversy about the supposed fragment of Mark falsely dated to the first century.
maybe there is only a great consciousness plays with itself
Is that a reference to masturbation?-lol
Let God/gods speaketh for themselves.
@@rubiks6 So god speaks directly to you? ...Interesting.
So what does he say?
If he's real, and you aren't just lying and speaking nonsense, then have this god tell you something about me that *you* couldn't possibly know please.
Otherwise, I have to assume you're just full of crap and making things up.
Gods can't even write their own books.
@@rubiks6 And everyone who ever believed in a god thought the same as you. Only you're different from them somehow, right?
@@rubiks6 Yes, reality is what it is regardless of what humans think. Claiming there is a god is an extraordinary claim and a scientific claim, if such a god interacts with the universe. That means you will need an extraordinary amount of evidence to prove such a thing, and the burden of proof is on those making the god claim. I cannot prove a god does not exist anymore than you can prove an invisible unicorn doesn't exist.
@@rubiks6 Does your god *want* us to to know he/it exists?
If so, it is doing an absolutely terrible job of it.
So, logically one must conclude that either your god:
- Doesn't care.
-Doesn't have the ability.
-Or simply doesn't exist.
What are you talking about willis?
How you keep looking for something that just does not exist,is beyond me . I am 82 and hardly went to school ,but even I know ball sh#t when I hear it .
the only evidence we have is that god is a character in a mythology; that does not render it meaningless or trivial; like all literature its meaning transcends the author, the work, and the reader; its meaning can then, therefore be profound, but the meaning should always be understood as interpretation
Of course the god your last speaker confidently dismisses as irrelevant is the god of the philosophers. He should have listened to the other contributers. Great short presentations of great ideas.
When you drunk, you miss God a lot
11:32 Abraham Joshua Herschel. Sounds like he is of irish decent, no?
Don't worry, your true SELF is God. You just have to drop your chronic thinking 😃
Consciousness is God. Every living being is a reflection of God in an imperfect mirror
Read "be as you are" by David Goodman
If we think logically we should always had a leader to the smallest to the highest, it's all depends on how the leader govern on there members whether they treated them in a good way or in a bad way. If that leader leads there people in a right way there you can conclude that God can go in a smooth and good direction where he can lead as a leader and the more smooth the civilization go far beyond it can discover everything far beyond our imagination because they don't have war and conflict and they can preserved all the data in a perishable system that we can't do as a young species in the universe. The more bad you are as a leader the more people will revolt in which the way it will trigger to conflict and war and all the data you had discover will start from the beginning and this will repeatedly happened if we cannot imagine in this theory. Actually God is a very intelligent lifeform in the universe where they understand and appreciate all who existed and created by them. Why we used and believe one God it's because only one king and leader who developed the system where all will be good contented and understand the profound meaning of life, but there's a lot of God in the universe who can't do what the true God capacity.
The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42..
The host should carefully study the following two books: 1) Prof. Samuel Alexander's masterpiece Space, Time, and Deity, and 2) Dewey B. Larson's masterpiece Beyond Space and Time. www.reciprocalsystem.guru
On the contrary, God gave us the best gift: free will. This mere fact has allowed for all this amount of "speculative" talk about God. Had not been this freedom, we would have not gotten thousands of pages written on philosophy, theology, and many other topics. But, sometimes, these theologians can get into a lot of nonsense. That's why Revelation is superior and enlightens the reason.
There is only one God of this existence: Yaldabaoth...(14:50).
God is person, whatever means this concept.
Circle is not a 'Straight Path'
You cannot come to know God by speculation any more than you can know a friend by speculation. It’s a bit like trying to taste the food by endless study of the menu. Just as with a friend, you can only know God subject to subject, and not as on object of study.
Great. So how does one get to know something "subject to subject" if that thing either does not exist, or hides so well as to be indistinguishable from non-existent?
Bastian Every attempt to find God somewhere out there is effectively looking for God as an object. The only way is to look within, and once found within, and only then, will you find God hidden in all things. It is often said that God is love. You are the love you seek, and when you truly love, you begin to relate subject to subject; I-Thou instead of I-it. This will change the way you see everything, but it requires a commitment to some form of ongoing spiritual practice or meditation. Most find this commitment to looking within too difficult, so they can’t see what is always already there, but hidden.
@@normaodenthal8009 So, it's like your imagination, and you talk to yourself?
Bastian No; you let go of imagination since that is just another way of thinking about something. You don’t talk to yourself, since that is also just thinking internally, all of which just keeps you trapped within your mind and identified with it. The aim is to observe your mind, mindlessly chattering away, and to let go of all ideas and concepts in order to transcend the mind. which can only be done in silence.
@@normaodenthal8009 Are you on drugs when you do this?
The bile of anti-theists expressed in the comments is a Western thing and not very common at all in Asia (I mean all of Asia, including S and East) where the majority of the people on planet earth live. S. Korea and Singapore are interesting case studies. Both have secular governance which are very much influenced by Confucianism.
Singapore is approx 75% religious, roughly 25% Christian, 25% Muslim and 25% Hindu but their focus is nationalism and pursuit of prosperity. Government ministerial posts have been filled by members of those religions as well as Chinese godless Confucians, but Christians have been over represented in those positions. The most important ally of Singapore is USA, still a mostly Christian nation. (I include Catholics under the umbrella term "Christian" )
S. Korea is about 35% Christian and the rest are Buddhists who barely practice or know anything about the religion/tradition, and some S. Koreans, about 10%, will say they have no interest in religion but will not usually call themselves atheist which they recognize to mean anti-theist or anti-Christian. Like Singapore, S. Korea's main thrust is pursuit of prosperity within a Confucian tradition. After school, those Hagwons are attended by teens belonging to Christian or Buddhist of not-interested traditions and one can't tell them apart, except sometimes a Christian may wear a modest necklace with a cross as the pendant. But none pay any attention to that.
In both Singapore and S. Korea much emphasis is put on smooth social interactions that help promote the goal of prosperity.
Here is a typical example from Singapore in which popular youtuber Jian Hao Tan (probably godless and Confucian) participates in Ramadan with his Muslim buddies:
th-cam.com/video/rFZQwyJAl24/w-d-xo.html
(In case some dont know, English is the first language of Singapore and they have their own English accent)
In this video a Catholic lad in S. Korea demonstrates his guitar skills. There are other videos where he plays duets with well established Japanese guitarists who are most likely non-religious or Shinto which is barely a religion and has no gods.
th-cam.com/video/cm8Ic2TwGjk/w-d-xo.html
with Japanese guitarist Kotaro Oshio:
th-cam.com/video/L3HCtknsgFU/w-d-xo.html
BTW, Sunga Jung has 1,723,493,972 views which just might be the most views for any guitarist.
I like to speculate about elephants.
Do they really have an unusually long nose ?
Or is it just man's imagination ?
How can we find the truth ?
I’m not shure if this is the best way to search for God. In the ocean of information, I was wondering if all religions are the same, invented for some reason, and then I tried to test it. If Jesus said God comes into a man, then I’m the one who should be proof of God.
If I try to live to be more Jesus alike, would I get peace, fulfilment, happiness as it’s promised? Would I grow spiritually and would I feel Love? It works for me. Bible said that all the knowledge hide in front of Love. Without Love we make onley noise. By doing what it’s said, Love became the main purpose in my life, without even thinking much. Love changes us as persons, day by day we grow.
If this worked for many, why not try it, what can be lost?
If not true, if someone is doing what is said and still doesn’t find peace and fulfilment, then it isn’t true.
I see it so simple, but each person has own way of living and understanding, since we all have different brains.
Sodom and Gomorrah
0 2 Ummm..ok.. Sorry??😁
everything about god is speculation
Martyr4JesusTheChrist
According to a fictional, fairytale book
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist satan "in the garden" is speculative; equating the snake with satan is a contrivance
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist have you read genesis? they were punished for disobedience, not speculation
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist please demonstrate where it is stated in genesis that the snake is satan; please demonstrate where in genesis, god punishes for speculation, please point out where i have criticized these scriptures; who is speculating?
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist you are making the claim that the snake in genesis is satan; where in genesis or any other book of the tanahk is this stated? where in the new testament is this stated? my questions are straight forward, and you have answered none of them
If you believe that you are no closer to truth why do you smile and nod in agreement with those you interview on religion and not challenge.
Do the theologians not speculate (and endlessly contrive) about God? They never shut up!
😊🌎⏳🙏♥️
444 God
Toy with me Abba,. and allow me to linger,
Let me roll off hand and down Your finger.
Flick me and catch me a time or two please,
Whisper a Word and let me brace in It's breeze!
Hold me up that I might gaze into Your eyes
and marvel at all Your wonder and surprise!
Maybe God and nature are the same thing. At least that's my view . Why do we want more ?
I agree. Ultimism vs Naturalism is a false dichotomy.
That’s just another way of saying there is no god. Nature is nature-it doesn’t need a god
Poop is nature. Is poop the same thing as god
@@jeffamos9854 well Jeff if god is the ground of everything then yes.
@@nathanforrest3483 think you need to rethink your god reasoning. I will stick with there is no god
I enjoy the philosophical aspect of these videos but my interest in the subject of god ends there. I have no illusion whatsoever that there’s any guy in the sky
Describing God as "guy in the sky" just shows you are making the exact mistake Neil Gillman (3rd interview) warns against (beginning at 13:10) - taking literally true the metaphors, allegories and other figurative language used to describe something that transcends our own reality. Of course there is no guy in the sky. That's just stupid.
@@JamesDannySheives Of course. This whole series is crude, simplistic, and lazy when it comes to exploring spirituality . . .
@@JamesDannySheives So, are you saying that religious have *no* literal truth to them? They are *all* metaphor?
If not, how do you determine between the two?
How do you distinguish a god that "transcends or own reality" from a god that doesn't exist outside of our imaginations?
@@LastBastian I'm saying that ALL ancient literature (including the Bible) must be understood within the context in which they were written. The culture, language, customs, beliefs of the writer(s) must be taken into account for a proper interpretation. Aristotle is considered one of the most intelligent men who have ever lived, yet he had all sorts of strange beliefs we today would consider foolish and stupid today. Until about 500 years ago, people back than did not think "scientifically" like we do today. Being historically accurate simply wasn't their concern. It would have never occurred to them they were doing something "wrong" by molding the details of a real historical event to fit a larger narrative. How does one distinguish between the two? Since the original writer did not seem concerned, why should you be? Search for the meaning of the story rather than scientifically or historically analyzing the text through a modern worldview. That will never work out well.
Your last question is simply a round-about way of asking "How do we know God exists?".
@@JamesDannySheives Well of course we are asking "how do we know god exists?"
That's the point of these discussions.
From what I gather, *you* are saying in a very round about way, "there probably isn't really any god, ...but I like stories."
Hmmm ... Tooley ... being is not important??
My invisible unicorn Fluffy, created the universe with me in mind, unless you can prove she didn't.
Says someone with an arrogant and cinic attitude or with no problems to destroy the hope of those with humble means from a deep unaccepted feeling of hurt or senseless despair. No thank you. We the people choose a meaningful hope regardless of pedigree.
It was Oludumare who created it all.
Hell is supposed to be a place where you are in eternal pain. Good luck
Hail Fluffy
@@sha9543 I'm terrified.
Speculate is the only thing you will do thinking about god. God is indeed unfalsifiable claim so will always be speculation.
The whole notion of a god in this world filled with the suffering of innocent children is the perfection of narcissism and nothing else. Also, it is just such a strange claim - why would there be a god, and why exactly one? Why not just grow up?
Robert sorry!
God is the best idea humans ever come up with, no doubt about it. It's reasonable to think some animal will evolve consciousness, gain understanding of natural environment and analyze workings of own body, but why go beyond what is obvious and real, this is impressive. Many animals don't think right, look at dogs sometime, they fell into some trans and imagine tearing object apart with their teeth. They get even more deranged when in packs, like many of them can't be defeated somehow. So it's seems logical to assume delusions get stronger with more self awareness also, specially if they became shared and enhanced inside social community. This is probably why people invented supernatural, one reason is general classification of unknown things, other is urge to imagine and express one self. If nature is governed by mystical forces, they must came from somebody like us.
God is telling us we're all one family of enlightened species and so much more is possible than we can even think of in this life. I wouldn't mind is all religions would end some day and became another kind of communes, where people could socialize, share ideas, meditate, life a simple life and take care for others in need. Worst thing would be if all religions could merge into just one, universal and unique theology, because than nobody would dare to dream and transcend what is real no more.
How would church without a God look like, same as things are right now basically, except nobody would expect some God to come down and do miracles instead of him. We should keep the faith, but everybody do your own miracles from now on.
Christianity is the right Religion.
Joseph Campbell published a ton of books on the topic: The Masks of God. Entertaining for a while, but ultimately boring as it leaves one no closer to truth.
I'm not sure you understood it.
@@emmashalliker6862I understand that we are in a very difficult situation since we do not know why we are here, what is the meaning of Life and what is the reason of being of the Universe. As a result of that situation, we have concocted thousands of stories which, while they express myriads of cultural symbologies, temporarily calm existential anxieties and provide endless sources of entertainment, nonetheless totally fail to resolve these essential questions.
However, if you are able to provide definite answers to these questions, I would love to hear what they are as I expect a number of scientists and philosophers doubtlessly would as well.
@@Samsara_is_dukkha Sorry if it gives you anxiety.
Personally, I give my own meaning to my existence, and although I'm curious, it doesn't bother me to simply not know the answer to some things.
But by all means, keep searching though. :)
@@LastBastian In view of the thousands of gods, rituals and sacrifices as well as the enormous amount of work performed by the vast majority of human beings since the beginning of civilization, it seems existential anxiety finds a resolution in symbolic activities, as unlikely and as bizarre as they may be.
In that context, to find solace in some kind of self-referential solipsism seems as precarious and unlikely as hanging from nothing in mid-air. By all means, keep hanging in there though :-).
@@Samsara_is_dukkha Does it really bother you that much to simply not know something?
Do you really need something or someone else to give you "meaning"? ... whatever that means?
I enjoy debating and philosophising about such things, as a sort of mental stimulant or exercise, but it's definitely not anything that keeps me up at night. I guess I don't get why so many people get hung up on some things. ?
So we want death to not be the end. That some how all this is not in vain. That we can live forever in some kind of Paradise. That there will be the justice we can't find in life.
I understand the feeling. But we have had too many gods. Too many have come and gone. Too many we killed and died for have been discarded like broken toys.
I don't see the current crop as any different. Just us moving from one shiney toy to the next.
If there is a controlling force. Its apparently nothing we can or should worship. So why concern ourselves about it.
Ok, organized religion you can stop now.
This is the origin of the organized religions, one guy telling a sermon.
you will stay doubt in closer to truth.
Just shows how these different people have made up their own god or gods, all 100% human constructs (who else would make them ?)
you know. I think it is interesting to know where morality came from. Do you know that animals express moral behavior? This is the first clue that it is evolution based.
The first rules that we find against immoral behavior are older than Judaism and Christianity by far. Moral behavior is avoiding pain. This is easy to understand.
If moral behavior depended on the Bible we should look at the period when all morality was based on the Bible. That period of time was the middle ages in Europe. The dark ages. What did we have. Monarchs that could do whatever they wanted by Devine command. No freedom of speech. Oppression, slavery, Wich Hunt, no equal right for women and we can go on and on.
The Bible did not provide a moral agenda against slavery, discrimination, genocide, selling your next of kin into slavery and a lot more idiotic things that where accepted as pretty normal.
Christians may have been involved in some moral standards that we now hold, I will not deny so, but it's common sense that dictated morality not their Bible.
The fundament of western morality comes from Athens 2500 years ago. Where laws of democracy and freedom of speech began to take shape.
Moral behavior is behavior that avoids pain. It is important to understand this very well. Life in all it forms tent to avoid those things that are painful or destructive. That is what drives life. We are a socially interdependent species. If I want to avoid pain I must learn not to express behavior that may cause pain to others. This is the base of all morality. There is nothing Devine, supernatural or biblical about that. In fact it's an insult to human intelligence to even suggest that we need Devine command for this very principle.
It is more logic to state that the Bible borrowed moral rules from society. That is why the Bible has really impossible rules like if you rape a woman you have to marry her.
This rule is due to the fact that nobody wanted to marry a woman that wasn't a virgin. A sick habit that worked directly against the victim of violence instead of the violater. Also stoning people with different sexual preferences is deeply rooted in the biblical morality. Male superiority? The Bible! We can also argue that from a biblical standpoint it is not unacceptable to regard on race superior over another because this is what God does himself.
The Bible did not even look at woman's right. Twelve year old children could be forced to marry older man which we now know is truly damaging for children that young. Thus the Bible endorsed one of the most immoral things a man can possibly do. God should have known better. Or he should have shaped us better. The Bible notoriously doesn't respect the right of the individual. It simply commands and supports undemocratic rules.
Western morality therefore is absolutely not based on the Bible. We cannot deny history that shows that more people have been killed and mistreated in the name of gods than in the name of any devil ever.
Examples of animals expressing moral behavior?
@@Dee-nonamnamrson8718 rhesus monkey is though to press a button to receive food and treats. As soon as another monkey gets an electric shock (a bit immoral) whenever the same button is pushed the monkey doesn't want to push the button anymore even if food is withheld from it.
Actually there are so many examples that I could go on for a while. Animals show compassion and moral behavior.
@@Carlos-fl6ch Bit of a stretch to call that morality. Empathy, maybe. It could think that it might be shocked next if it pushes the button again.
@@Dee-nonamnamrson8718 if you change the definition yes it is a stretch but altruism is considered a high moral value. Animals do this a lot. Helping others is considered moral behavior. Many many animals help even animals and people they don't know. It's a double standard to call such behavior moral when conducted by humans but indifferent when it's animal behavior. The case with the rhesus monkeys doesn't need further a Analysis. It's been studied on numerous occasions and the evidence is irrefutable.
@@Carlos-fl6ch Got a link to the study? I'd love to read it. Empathy is not necessarily a precursor to morality. It could be, but that's a huge assumption to make.
First because I know that there is no Heavenly Father
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist
John Lennox is asking "where do you get your information from" well we get our information from our brain that ostensibly and maybe even supposedly God gave us ...
now to return the question to you, where do you get your information from... where do you point to show your authority to claim such things?Don't worry I know that you're going to say from the Bible which brings us back to square one.
We on the other hand for some reason choose to use the brain that God gave us to realize that we are in a situation.. A scary situation.
But anyway I actually happen to think there's a God but I don't know why you try to continually say that it's like a heavenly father when it really does seem like some type of Matrix or at least certainly something that we cannot comprehend...
but just because that we cannot comprehend it as of yet doesn't mean that you should just say 'well if you can't understand it let's just insert God'...it's because we're scared and if we put God there then we won't be scared but that has shown to never work and to only hurt.
and remember those words are coming from me who is a firm believer not 100% sure that there is a maker but yes I am guilty also of calling it God but I don't pretend that one person dying and one person not is the choice of this maker.
C'mon man leave people alone.
trust me I know you're waiting for something bad to happen to us and don't worry it will I just don't think it will have anything to do with God but I know you will then strike up so gleefully and say stupid s*** like see blah blah blah I see blah blah blah blah blah blah
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist , resolve your daddy issues. There is no father god. Grow up
Lies
Why so many religion as such granting christian religion is the true one o'nly christian and all the rest of religion will go to hell as a consequence.
Speculating About God? What's the point? Which of the thousands of gods?
@@rubiks6 Meaningless blah blah! Get a brain somewhere!
@@rubiks6 You really think you know what the fuck you are talking about? You are a deluded nut!
judeo-christianity is such a ridiculous term.
if anything one should talk about judeo-islamic tradition.
christianity is the exception among the abrahamic religions.
Because?.....
the Grey haired Jewish dude seemed to believe whatever would be convenient at the moment we call god that makes it easy!
If there is a godlike being, then he wouldn't want us to worship him. He would want us to emulate him, to develop into godlike beings ourselves. He would want us to create our own universes and worlds and people. He would disappear at the moment of creation and go off to create another universe.. Why would he hang around? What could we say to him that would have any worthwhile meaning? Nothing. His intellect would be so far above us that he would be bored stiff by us. Which leads to the next question. Why wouldn't he create an equal if he wants company, someone who he can talk to on an even footing? Someone who would work and live alongside him as a true companion. By creating us , if he did, it's like a man creating a bacteria and then trying to communicate with it. I don't buy it.
For someone who don't buy it, you nailed it; God did this too.
Guys problems is arrogance speculation about GOD his thinks his concept is inside in mind . However it is lack true evidence. GOD is far way from him that fundamental GOD definitions needs speculations honestly.
Christianity is the only faith based on the absolute and the probability of One. Prophesies foretold years in advance and fulfilled to the letter.
lol. NT narratives were written to appear to fulfill OT prophecies. Most of it is fictional. You should know that by now.
So-called prophecies that in many instances weren't prophecies at all, some prophecies that notably failed, all of which were made with the stroke of a pen and supposedly "fulfilled" with nothing more than the stroke of a pen. Not at all compelling.
@Martyr4JesusTheChrist Good point. Great book and chapter. What is the correct term?
God doesn't exist. It's all in humans minds.
Following this line of videos about God, I came to a provocative idea which I would like to share with you. What if God doesn't exist because we haven't engineer It/He/She yet. Let me explain that a little bit. As a human you are a society of 30 trillion cells that perform innumerable interactions per second. This complex activity give rise to your experience, feelings, consciousness and identity. Now lets look at the relationship between you and your cells. Within the scope of your body, can we think of you as an Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent being over your cells?
Now let's think that a cell in your body speculates about God and how It/He/She could be. Maybe a being that divides itself not in 2 parts but in 100 or infinite parts. Maybe this being has multiple RNA molecules and perform transcriptions instantly. You can say that this is pointless because cell can't think or speculate. But this is exactly my point, that in a higher emergent organisation new qualities arise that are not possible in the lower levels. Our speculations about God are inevitable anthropomorphic because we exist and operate in a specific organizational level.
As technology progresses, we are witnessing a greater degree of interconnectedness that will hopefully achieve a global homeostasis (elimination of wars, hunger, etc.) and give rise to global consciousness. This being will operate in a higher organizational level and it will have qualities that are impossible for us to conceive. This being could be Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent over us, although those attributes are very anthropomorphic. It could potentially also speculate about God but it will shape It/Him/Her according to its own experience.
From here you can go even further by thinking of beings able to exist in higher organizational levels (planetary systems, galaxies, universe, multiverses) until a being is emerged that exists and operates in the highest possible organizational level. This being could be what we think of as God. The difference between this kind of God and all Gods from the religions is that this being will be real (or better alive!).
So for now I would say that what exist is the possibility of the emergence of God.
don't waste your time speculating when there is no evidence
of course there is evidence for belief in God, just look at machines inside your cell , like walking robots, motors, turbines etc which perform task so your cells can live so you can live....random events like mutations can not create something like that, it has to be inteligetn being, in this case God.
Waste of time.
This stupid god content really needs to stop.
Hey Dan, actually I wish I could visit and talk to all these people that Mister Kuhn communicates with. But I am simple-minded and I'd probably go silent after the first 10 seconds.
Trump 2020.
Biden 2020. Trump Crime Family in prison 2020. Lock them up!
Another fine example why philosophy and theology, should be abolished as degrees. There are never any answers. As an average educated individual, you could basically watch one of these types of videos and come to the same conclusion as mine: no answers ever, only a mishmash of names scattered thru history to fill your brain and make you think you know something about this. Fine to disagree with me, but let me know and I'll hold a going away party for your 100,000 dollars.
Why are you perseverating over the issue of God? AGAIN, your science has falsified all claims of a God or the claims are unfalsifiable. BTW, the religious and philosophical gibberish nonsense in this episode is overwhelming. SMH
Perseverating is not a word.
0 2 , it’s the verb of perseveration, to repeat something over and over.
You tuned in to “speculating about god”, NOT wanting to hear about religious and philosophical “nonsense”?
@@stinkertoy4310 , I'm not sure what you are trying to say. Have you been watching Kuhn's full series on Closer to Truth? He will not find any answers to truth questions by repetitively asking the same unanswerable questions to philosophers and theologists. Simple.
Tom Rafferty What kinds of questions should he be asking? What I meant is, I find it odd that you would watch a clip titled “speculating about god”, and then complain about “religious and philosophical gibberish”. “Your science has falsified all claims...” what exactly are you trying to say? Scientists who are theists are wrong/stupid?
Trump 2020
Are you trying to prove the existence of Hell?
lol. Then you must be a faux Christian.
Hail Thor!
Why so many religion as such granting christian religion is the true one o'nly christian and all the rest of religion will go to hell as a consequence.