NATURE OF GOD – OTHER
Posted by anthonynorth on January 28, 2008
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NATURE OF GOD – OTHER
For many years I’ve thought about God. I’m not a practicing Christian, but I’m certainly not an atheist, either. I suppose, in some ways, we need more than the material to be complete.
I’ve decided to write down my thoughts and ideas on the subject in a brief way, rather than the in-depth essays I’ve previously written. This is the first of a series of such posts, which will appear over the next month or so.
I cannot grasp the idea of God being ‘other’.
By this, I mean an entity separate from the universe, and all that is within it. My research into mysteries has convinced me of the possibility of a form of ‘consciousness’ in the universe.
Quantum theory is slowly moving in this direction, also. And mystics have long thought that the way to access a universal consciousness is by descending into your own inner mind.
This would change the position of a possible God.
For rather than being ‘other’ He would be intrinsically connected to the universe, and man. This is a much more acceptable concept to me.
In effect, God could well be ‘higher’, in that He is a much more encompassing level of consciousness, whereas we are ‘lower’; but He would certainly not be ‘other’. Would this make the idea of God more acceptable to our skeptical world?
© Anthony North, January 2008
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Ezraeel said
I am sort of agree with you, although I am not Religious at all. You know Muslims (my parents are Muslims) think that everything in the world is God.
anthonynorth said
Hi Ezraeel,
Many thanks for that information. Yes, God is usually seen as all-encompassing, in everything, but in the Monotheist tradition, He begins as separate – the Creator of the universe. It is this point more than any other – His ‘otherness’ – that gives me problems.
Selma said
I have a problem with his ‘otherness’ too. I was raised as a Catholic but no longer attend Church, yet I do believe in God in a sort of metaphysical way. I’ve always found it hard to explain what I believe but your post has brought me closer to articulating that belief. Interestingly enough, I have a good friend who is a physicist who thinks exactly as you do. He says his study of quantum physics has brought him closer to God!
Brian said
Took the words right out of my mind.
anthonynorth said
Hi Selma,
Yes, a lot of physicists feel quite uncomfortable with this, but philosophically it fits so perfectly. I can’t remember his name right now, but one esteemed physicist said, quite a while back that the more he looks at the universe, the more it seems like a great thought than a great machine.
Hi Brian,
I think we’re more in unison than this. I’ve just been relaxing to a bit of Meatloaf, and as I logged on I was still singing:
‘You took the words right out of my mouth.’
Now that is close
margaretthompson said
You know, really, the ahrdest part for me is space. By that I mean the vastness of space compared to the smallness of self. My problem is this – how could God be bigger than space? Where does he live? Is He that big? Bigger? Or is He, in fact, just pure love? And what does that mean?
So many parts of my faith and relationship with God are confused because of my misunderstanding of Space and Time. I think the “otherness” part of this fits, as well. The Bible says that God lives within us when we accept Him. And that is small, and yet feels big and all-encompassing, at times. How can He be in us and in Heaven?
I’m not supposed to have these answers. If I did I think my human brain would explode! But I know the answer is out there and that in time I’ll know, also. It says that we will re4ach complete understanding.
anthonynorth said
Hi Margaret,
Christianity came to an understanding of God’s all-encompassing nature in the Trinity. As the Father He is ‘other’ and the Creator; as the Son He walked the Earth as a human; as the Holy Spirit He is within us all for always.
The Trinity places God as 3 in One. But it must be remembered this is not in the Bible, but decided in the 4th century AD by man.
SweetTalkingGuy said
Hi Anthony, I just found your site and I really like it. You talk some good stuff. I’ve bookmarked you so I can come back soon and have a good read. I really think you are onto something here, something that I think a lot of people might like/need to hear.
Andy
anthonynorth said
Hi Andy,
Welcome and thanks for the kind words. I like to stretch the mind, and hopefully think out of the box. I may not always succeed, but I have great fun trying
VictorQ said
Hi Anthony,
I agree with you. I believe the universe IS the body of God, and we are a part of it. Just like the millions of microbes that live within our own bodies. It is also possible that the planets, stars and galaxies that make up the body of God also have their own levels of consciousness.
anthonynorth said
Hi VictorQ,
Yes, science should be so close to understanding consciousness within the universe. So many of their latest ideas hint of it – but they’re stubbornly not going there.
robert said
Hi Anthony,I believe GOD is beyond our comprehension that is why as the Bible says NO MAN HAS SEEN GOD.It is GOD,s will that it is so.What does GOD want from us,to BELIEVE in him.I
robert said
Hi Anthony,I believe GOD is Omnipotent.GOD is Love.GOD is Pure Energy.The Bible is true,the meek shall rule the world.Reincarnation is true and so is the resurrection.The Big Bang is true it was GOD’s will.
anthonynorth said
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your comments. I never disagree with a person’s peacefully held beliefs. You have now stated them.
Please don’t post any more.
BudW said
I have been thinking along those same lines. Quantum physics tells us that everything is connected {entanglement}. The whole universe has an intelligent look to it, kind of cereberal. So how does this intelligent universe express itself? Maybe throught the beings like us.
anthonynorth said
Hi BudW,
I wrote a piece a short time ago trying to rationalise our place in the cosmos. You may find it interesting:
http://beyondtheblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/why-are-we-here