Every molecule in the universe is held together by Him...

"Every molecule in the universe is held together by Him, every charge on an electron is governed by Him."

~ an assertion made on another thread.

If [1] "Him" or "God" is a metaphor for the coherence of the processes that underpin the universe's mechanisms, and...

[2] what we know about the nature of the universe is also what we know about the nature of "God", then...

[3] what is the conceptual justification for ~ or benefit of ~ anthropomorphizing "the laws of nature" in the way that most popular and successful religions do? And...

[4] doesn't the fact that humans do this constitute an insight into the human condition rather than an insight into the nature of the universe?

@fmf said
"Every molecule in the universe is held together by Him, every charge on an electron is governed by Him."

~ an assertion made on another thread.

If [1] "Him" or "God" is a metaphor for the coherence of the processes that underpin the universe's mechanisms, and...

[2] what we know about the nature of the universe is also what we know about the nature of "God", then... ...[text shortened]... nstitute an insight into the human condition rather than an insight into the nature of the universe?

At the risk of oversimplifying, you might want to consider the fact that God is not a metaphor.

@mchill said
At the risk of oversimplifying, you might want to consider the fact that God is not a metaphor.

You have misunderstood the word "if" and its significance in this OP.

@mchill
Why should non-believers entertain the assertion that the coherence of the processes that underpin the universe's mechanisms [arguably the only witnessable phenomena that describe the nature of a possible creator entity] need to be anthropomorphized, as they are in the bronze age ancient Hebrew narrative? Why is it seen as being compelling, or self-evidently true, to do this?

@fmf said
@mchill
Why should non-believers entertain the assertion that the coherence of the processes that underpin the universe's mechanisms [arguably the only witnessable phenomena that describe the nature of a possible creator entity] need to be anthropomorphized, as they are in the bronze age ancient Hebrew narrative? Why is it seen as being compelling, or self-evidently true, to do this?

Non-believers are free to entertain whatever assertion they want, and I would suggest that a Christians faith is compelling or self-evident only to them, even though it may not be to others. The bottom line is, I'm not here to force my beliefs on others, but rather to simply express my opinion.

@mchill said
Non-believers are free to entertain whatever assertion they want, and I would suggest that a Christians faith is compelling or self-evident only to them, even though it may not be to others. The bottom line is, I'm not here to force my beliefs on others, but rather to simply express my opinion.

The bottom line is, I'm not here to force my beliefs on others, but rather to simply express my opinion.

I wasn't asking you or anyone to "force" me to do snything. But I WAS asking if you'd like to discuss this thread topic.

@fmf said
The bottom line is, I'm not here to force my beliefs on others, but rather to simply express my opinion.

I wasn't asking you or anyone to "force" me to do snything. But I WAS asking if you'd like to discuss this thread topic.

But I WAS asking if you'd like to discuss this thread topic.

That's a fair question. The answer is, I did discuss a small piece of this topic. I guess the rest of it doesn't interest me. It's been a long workweek, and maybe I'll get to the rest of it later.

@mchill said
That's a fair question. The answer is, I did discuss a small piece of this topic. I guess the rest of it doesn't interest me. It's been a long workweek, and maybe I'll get to the rest of it later.

I guess the rest of it doesn't interest me.

I have an uncanny knack for raising topics that don't interest you and yet seem to make you post something or other anyway.

@fmf said
I guess the rest of it doesn't interest me.

I have an uncanny knack for raising topics that don't interest you and yet seem to make you post something or other anyway.

I have an uncanny knack for raising topics that don't interest you and yet seem to make you post something or other anyway.


There is a possible explanation for this. I noticed you spend a lot of time and energy composing questions and discussing items on these forums, and not so much of either on chess. I tend to be the opposite, dropping in for an occasional comment, while spending much more time on chess competition (on a different site) I suppose it's all a matter of taste. 🙂

@mchill said
There is a possible explanation for this. I noticed you spend a lot of time and energy composing questions and discussing items on these forums, and not so much of either on chess. I tend to be the opposite, dropping in for an occasional comment, while spending much more time on chess competition (on a different site) I suppose it's all a matter of taste. 🙂

There is a possible explanation for this. I noticed you spend a lot of time and energy composing questions and discussing items on these forums, and not so much of either on chess.

The explanation needed, surely, is why there are so many topics that don't interest you and yet you seem compelled to post anyway, often in order to "contribute" a declaration that you are not interested enough to contribute anything.

@fmf said
There is a possible explanation for this. I noticed you spend a lot of time and energy composing questions and discussing items on these forums, and not so much of either on chess.

The explanation needed, surely, is why there are so many topics that don't interest you and yet you seem compelled to post anyway, often in order to "contribute" a declaration that you are not interested enough to contribute anything.

yet you seem compelled to post anyway, often in order to "contribute" a declaration that you are not interested enough to contribute anything.

What can I say. The world is an imperfect place! 😳

@mchill said

What can I say. The world is an imperfect place! 😳

Why did a perfect God create an imperfect world?

@ghost-of-a-duke said
Why did a perfect God create an imperfect world?

The answer to that question can be found in the book of Genesis dukey boy. Read and learn.

@mchill said
The answer to that question can be found in the book of Genesis dukey boy. Read and learn.

Yes, yes, original sin and all that. I'm asking about imperfections with creation that are outside of man's control. Are we responsible for earthquakes?

@ghost-of-a-duke said
Why did a perfect God create an imperfect world?

To show us his perfection? A perfect being can create either. It's the imperfect being who cannot create perfection.

And since nature is ever changing, some take it that nature cannot be their god/gods, it stands to reason. After all, no matter the story or whence it came, we all know that man is not perfect.....if he was he would live forever, in perfect harmony.