NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm an Atheist and I have a question for Monotheists. If your God is omnibenevolent, what decides what constitutes benevolent behavior? Does God decide what is benevolent, or is there some separate objective moral system that God obeys?

Wow, that's a hilarious question. I can't wait to see the answer.

God decides what is benevolent, because he is omnibenevolent; the moral code which God "obeys" is part of his very nature; it was never created because God is morality and cannot violate it without contradicting himself, which is an impossibility.

I'm an Atheist and I have a question for Monotheists. If your God is omnibenevolent, what decides what constitutes benevolent behavior? Does God decide what is benevolent, or is there some separate objective moral system that God obeys?

If God made us in His image, then our ideals of benevolence cooincide with His.

Problem is...not everyone agrees on what's benevolent.

And...the debate goes on...

This could be a circular argument, but from my PoV as a Christian...

I personally believe in the innate goodness of humanity and the corresponding belief that humans have an obligation to use their natural instincts of love and charity.

Whether or not this benevolence is determined by God, I'm not sure I'm qualified enough to answer that question...but as God gave us Free Will to decide our own fate, then I would have to say that we are benevolent (or not) in our right.

God decides what is benevolent, because he is omnibenevolent; the moral code which God "obeys" is part of his very nature; it was never created because God is morality and cannot violate it without contradicting himself, which is an impossibility.

So just checking, that would mean that God can change what for him is moral or immoral, since he's omnipotent, right? So benevolence really just means doing what he does, whatever that happens to be?

I personally believe in the innate goodness of humanity and the corresponding belief that humans have an obligation to use their natural instincts of love and charity.

Whether or not this benevolence is determined by God, I'm not sure I'm qualified enough to answer that question...but as God gave us Free Will to decide our own fate, then I would have to say that we are benevolent (or not) in our right.

Nice argument, just not answering the question. I'm asking what determines the terms of God's benevolence, not humanity's.

So just checking, that would mean that God can change what for him is moral or immoral, since he's omnipotent, right? So benevolence really just means doing what he does, whatever that happens to be?

Isn't that what makes God God? In that he's in control. Yeah, he can break his own rules, but does he have to?

God doesnt exist.

I'm asking what determines the terms of God's benevolence, not humanity's.

Oh.. that you better ask God. As I'm getting confused. :D

Anyway, God determines the terms. He makes the terms, he keeps the terms. If he breaks the terms, who's he got to argue with? But would God break the terms? I don't know.

Apparently thats why they say he's the same today, yesterday and forever. So he probably wouldn't.

Oh.. that you better ask God. As I'm getting confused. :D

Anyway, God determines the terms. He makes the terms, he keeps the terms. If he breaks the terms, who's he got to argue with? But would God break the terms? I don't know.

Apparently thats why they say he's the same today, yesterday and forever.

The point is not that God would break the terms, but that the terms would change depending on what God decided to do. God would change. And calling him benevolent would mean nothing whatsoever.

God would change.

He would? I thought he's the same yesterday, today and forever?

He would? I thought he's the same yesterday, today and forever?

That's my point. If he makes the rules, why should he stay the same? If whatever he is is inconvenient, he can become something else. What qualifies as benevolent behavior can change at the drop of a hat, and the promise of kindness means nothing.

Lol.. Jello Biafra is correct all along.

If he made the rules, wouldn't it be something convenient for him? (Why make stupid unbenevolent rules?)

So he doesn't need to change. :D

He would? I thought he's the same yesterday, today and forever?
Does he still condem eating pork? Does he still prohibit anyone who can't see well from attending worship services? If you're a Christian then you must beleive that god changes his mind, or you'd still be a Jew.

Lol.. Jello Biafra is correct all along.

If he made the rules, wouldn't it be something convenient for him? (Why make stupid unbenevolent rules?)

So he doesn't need to change. :D

Just thinking through this....

I suppose that he could simply create rules that always work (being omniscient)....

But on the other hand why create rules at all? The most simple rule that would be effective in any situation is simply to just do whatever he wants. That would again mean that stating this being's benevolence is meaningless.

Does he still condem eating pork? Does he still prohibit anyone who can't see well from attending worship services? If you're a Christian then you must beleive that god changes his mind, or you'd still be a Jew.

Thats mosaic laws for the jews, since they asked for it. Christians aren't under mosaic laws, but covered by the blood of Christ.

Jews still shouldn't eat pork since their still depending on the laws to be holy, Christian Jews.. Yum Yum eat away.

Edit: Btw, I gotta sleep. Next time start a good debate earlier. :( It's 2am. Hopefully someone else can take over my line of thought. G'night.

bump