Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-9801519-20130614044126/@comment-9801519-20130615174558

41488p: That is why I have a reason-based faith in a natural god. To suppose a supernatural entity exists outside of the Universe is silly. Here is a simple mathematical exercise:

Let's draw a circle. This circle represents the Universe, and the name of the set is "all that exists." Now let's draw God outside of the Universe, and then draw a large oval around the Universe and God. We will call this set "religion." Now, if God is not in the set "all that exists," what does that make God?

As a Pandeist, I define God as the energy, natural laws, and superior intellect apparent in the source, structure, and order sustaining all of existence. There is no way to distinguish between a god that is absent and a god that does nothing, so trying to figure out if this god conceded its consciousness upon becoming the Universe is a futile exercise.

Justin: I appreciate your input, but I don't see how that ties in to providing evidence that indicates your particular god is real. As for God giving us the ability to sin so we learn to become better people, I disagree. I think we have been given the gift of reason to establish a code of ethics, and that evil, or sin as you would call it, is nothing more than a failure to do so.

I will leave you with a question pertaining to the Christian God: if he is omniscient, can he peer into his own future? If so, would that not make his own decisions predetermined?