Jobar

I do this, too. And my parents talk to me regularly, and call me and ask favors, and make their existence abundantly plain. (*Especially* my father.)

Ojuice5001

I believe in the gods, and I'm against both atheism and father-god monotheism; nevertheless, I can agree with some of your broader points. Maturity means greater independence, and religion means dependence on the gods. Your 35-year-old anaglogy seems to make a stronger-than-warranted jump though. Remember that the gods are rulers over whole cultures, not just individuals. Societies were less mature in ancient times, and thus had a greater need for the gods' guidance. It's possible there will come a time when people can get along without knowing about the gods, even though they exist. (Not that atheism and monotheism shouldn't be opposed, I hasten to add.)

But you're implying more than just an idea about our ultimate destiny. Your implying that society and individuals will be able to get along without the gods in the near future (or that if they can't, there's something wrong with them). I can think of two reasons not to belive we're at such a point.

1. We Westerners are growing emotionally immature. It seems that as societies become technologically mature, their members become emotionally immature. So if mature people are the ones who can get along without being ruled by gods, it follows that people are getting less able to get along without the gods, not more. Any attempt to make people outgrow religion would have to be part of a larger attempt to make people more mature generally.

2. Related to the first point, have you considered the significance of goddess worship? Both neopaganism and a significant movement of liberal Christians have a tendency to worship goddess(es) to a greater extent. So if the gods are being used as parent-figures, and people are growing closer to their heavenly mothers, doesn't that mean that we are not growing less independent of the gods, not more?

I don't have a mindset that advancement is a good thing in itself. My patron deity is a goddess of the past, after all. In my book, maturity is only a means to an end, the end being stability and pleasure. I can see that many "mature" traits are helpful for this goal, but if a mature trait isn't like that, it is unnecessary.

sandlewood

Children eventually grow up to be parents in their own right, with all the power and responsibility their parents had. However, humans never become gods. They are destined to forever worship god and obey his commands.

God exists as disembodied human characteristics taken to infinite extreme.

But “image” seems to mean anything you want it to mean.

lpetrich

If there is a Father, then where is the Mother?

Parthenogenetic ("virgin birth") animals like aphids and certain lizards are female, not male -- they produce eggs, not sperm.

Stormy

You may think that you are wise. You may think that it is best to go it on your own without God. But that is because you do not know all that there is to know.

You are like a child alone in his crib... thinking that the whole world lies between the confines of your bars.

K

Stormy:

Since God has provided you with all there is to know, I have a list of questions. It would be great if you could just fill in the answers God gave you.

How can quantum mechanics and general relativity be made to work together?

What is the make up of dark matter?

Will the universe collapse on itself or keep expanding forever?

That'd be great if you could just post the answers. I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in them.

The Frood Dude

I think the first post is on to something. I see way too many Christians who are still going to God asking what to do, when God really doesn't care. What job should I take? Who should I marry? Where should I live? As parents, we want kids to value our input, but as long as they make these decisions wisely, we don't care who they marry or where they work. As long as they are happy.

I don't want to control my kids life. I don't want to overpower them. They will be choosing my nursing home someday.

The Frood Dude

God, as a good parent, says go figure it out for yourself. It will be more meaningful to you that way.

Stormy

Now where did you get that idea?

Are you reading into my words?

K

Stormy:

Maybe a little, but when you said

"You may think that it is best to go it on your own without God. But that is because you do not know all that there is to know."

I naturally assumed that you know all there is to know. If you don't know all there is to know, how can you know that lpetrich
would do anything differently if he/she knew all there was to know?

I guess I did read in the fact that you got everything from God. I guess it's only important that you know all that there is to know.