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Interesting question. According to the Big Bang, the universe originally existed as a tiny atom, then exploded outward. The scientists, to date, have no idea why. For me, I view the universe as the body of God, without which God would be unconscious. I believe consciousness necessitates he experience of complexity. Hence, he Big Bang was caused by God going from the total simplicity of his being, and therefore unconsciousness, into the vast complexity of creation, God as self-consciousness. However, I don't think there was ever a time when God was merely potential, purely unconscious. There was always some form of universe. Also, God's aim is to be creative. That means, God can only g so far with any one universe before it becomes tame,stale, an needs to end to make room for newer forms of creativity.
I think that the universe and Gods are mutually interdependent, one cannot exist without the other. I view God as a social-relational being and thefore arises of his or her interactions with the world. Hence, the world creates God, just as God creates the world.
OK, but here is the problem: Many persons have reported direct, immediate experienced of God. They can't all be discounted. Next, all our concepts, however imaginative they may be, come from our experiences of reality. Human imagination is not very free. So if there is no God, were did the concept of God come form?
Oops. It's Cranmer, not Cromwell. Oliver Cromwell didn't come along until the next century, when he set himself up as Lord Protector, after the king was beheaded. Also, Catholics and Protestants historically, shared the same view of God as he or she is in his or her real nature. Largely, his classical image was borrowed from Greek philosophy. It enshrined the immune and the immutable. God was assumed to be a statically complete perfection, wholly independent of the universe standing in no need of anything. God was said to be void of body, parts, passions, even compassion, totally immutable. In the 20th century theologians have challenged this model.
Sorry you're wrong, it was Thomas Cromwell not Oliver Cromwell.
How many people have reported being abducted by aliens? do you believe that some of them are telling the truth?
I consider that among the most denigrating, disrespectful, pompous, and arrogant things a person can say with regards to an atheist.
..she says, posting from a computer she personally (likely) can't break down to the transistor and explain the whole way up.
Have you heard of this:
You're welcome!
I managed to make it to and from Afghanistan without having my atheism thrown to the wind, and plenty of atheists have fought and died right next to Christians. I suggest you find yourself some perspective.You're welcome!
On the "lighter side",* I contend that there are no atheists in Hell.
Does that make you feel any better?
* Get it? "Lighter side"? (Nevermind.)
Have you heard of this:
