God and Humans

(A Three-Cornered Circle)

Flogg

Being an atheist doesn't mean I can't agree with you about a definition of God. Something doesn't have to exist to be definable. Being an atheist purely means I'm unlikely to believe that the concept you choose to define physically exists in reality. I'm sure you'd be happy to accept my definition of a 3 cornered circle or a pink and blue zebra. The fact that it's impossible or doesn't exist shouldn't be a problem to agreeing on a definition. And BTW, I can think of many sources which no-one would consider to be gods. Are you sure that's an adequate definition?

John Dishwasher

My friend, with all due respect, I will never agree to a definition of a circle as having three corners. Show me a photo of a zebra that's been made to be pink and blue, however, and we'll talk (though it won't be about pink and blue zebras, but about zebras made to be pink and blue). :)

Hippocampus

Why limit your thinking so?

John Dishwasher

If you say: Instead of calling a circle "circle" let us call it "triangle" I will agree to that. That is just semantics. But asking me to agree to the fact that this circular object in front of me is not actually circular, but is actually an object with three corners is not semantics. That's not really limiting your thinking. That is raping observation. Again, monkey with semantics all you want, but don't try to make me accept that this fire that is scorching my hand is actually water. See what I mean?

Flogg

Hi JD,

I didn't claim I was defining a circle as having 3 corners. I said it would be possible to define a 3 cornered circle. You just wouldn't be able to draw one, because the various parts of the definition contradict each other. My point is that I can easily agree on a definition of God, I could even propose one. I don't have to believe in God's existence to do that.

John Dishwasher

Point taken. So it is semantics. I have no problem with tinkering with semantics. Words are an obstacle to understanding usually. If it were not for all the problems that ambiguous meanings and misinterpretations of words cause, I would never have been prompted to scribble down that blog. That's not all of the problem that the blog addresses. But it's one of the big ones that creating a very simple definition helps alleviate.

Hippocampus

Words are a tremendous aid to understanding. The communication of information, technology and the transformative effect this has had on human civilization since the advent of written language is stunningly apparent.

John Dishwasher

Yeah, I'm overstating that somewhat. I spend a lot of time trying to write down my thoughts and sometimes language feels more like an obstacle to me than an aid. That's where I'm coming from on that.

Hippocampus

Your whole essay is semantics, isn't it? God = Peace of mind = whatever one desires it to be. Why not just say God = Happiness

Cabana

If there is not a reason why bother with this question, why? nice Hipposcampus! words are very useful and launguage as everything else will continue to evolve.