Do you think you are smarter than God?

[God-free]

Atheists believe they are smarter than God because they do not believe He exists.

I'm not sure that's true. I don't think it makes any sense to compare intelligence with something that doesn't exist. It's more likely people consider themselves smarter than God based on his actions as described by believers.

oneofthem is correct. A non existent character can have no intelligence. So, of course, any sentient being would have to be more intelligent.

And you, uberd00b, are also correct when you say it makes no sense to compare intelligence with something that doesn't exist. So, perhaps, a better title for this thread would be "Do any believers think they are smarter than God?". I wonder how well a thread like that would go over.

 

[oneofthem]

I'm not sure that's true. I don't think it makes any sense to compare intelligence with something that doesn't exist. It's more likely people consider themselves smarter than God based on his actions as described by believers.

If this question were aiming at an atheist hypothetical such as "if God existed, would you think you're smarter than Him/her/it?" then it would be worded so.

 

[cantata]

For the non-theist, this is a question like a question about oneself in relation to any fictional character. Am I stronger than Superman? Am I more beautiful than Aphrodite? I am, of course, less strong and less beautiful than their described characteristics, but since I am at least a tiny bit strong and a tiny bit beautiful (I have really sexy ears), I am arguably both stronger and more beautiful than Superman and Aphrodite, since they don't exist. It's merely a matter of semantics, of the way you choose to address the problem.

 

[quatona]

Or do you think you are equal to him in intelligence and or wisdom? Make your case.

I don´t believe in gods. If there were a god I surely would expect him to be more intelligent than myself.

I guess proper definitions of "intelligence", "wisdom" and "smartness" would help the discussion, along with an answer to the question how we could possibly discern the amount of intelligence/wisdom/smartness of an allegedly atemporal being.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I will admit that, if I were a Platonist, I would believe I was smarter than Dog.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Nathan Poe]

I will admit that, if I were a Platonist, I would believe I was smarter than Dog.

Excuse me, there's a Bounty Hunter at the door who'd like a few words with you...

 

[stan1980]

Okay, I've devised a series of tests, Christians, to see who is smarter.

First of all, the IQ test. Me and God will both sit an IQ test and see who gets the highest score. Oh, what's that I feebly hear you say Christians? "God doesn't 'do' IQ tests?". Well that's convenient. Too bad!

Stan 1 God 0 YESSSS!! Go Stan, Go Stan!

Second test, a physical and skills test. Me and God will pit against each other, one on one, in a sport of God's choice. I asked God which sport she would like to play, but I had no response. In the interests of fairness though, I got my independent adjudicator to pick a sport. Tennis it is. No show from God, scared of getting whooped I expect. Too bad!

Stan 2 God 0 Whooooooo! In your face God!

Okay, third test. I hear God is quite the compassionate being, so I've devised a test to see exactly how compassionate she is. I've choked 2 men with a bottle top. One for me to save, and the second for God to save. I quickly apply the Heimlich manoeuvre on man A, saving his life. Sadly, man B choked to death. Another one chalked up for the StanMeister!

Stan 3 God 0.. This is quite literally turning into a massacre!

I can't see anyway of God getting back into this, and the referee stops the match before anyone else gets hurt and awards it to Stan.

Thank you and good night.

 

[quatona]

Atheists believe they are smarter than God because they do not believe He exists.

I believe your logic needs work.

 

[David Brider]

Or do you think you are equal to him in intelligence and or wisdom? Make your case.

I don't think I'm smarter than Him, no. As I was made in His image, I think it's possible that I may have the same reserves of intelligence and wisdom as He has, although if I do, I certainly don't use it to anywhere near the same effect as He does, unfortunately.

David.

 

[stan1980]

I think it's possible that I may have the same reserves of intelligence and wisdom as He has

But you're from Essex though!

(jk, couldn't resist!)

 

[David Brider]

But you're from Essex though!

(jk, couldn't resist!)

Yeah, but I'll be moving to Hertfordshire next year. Dunno if my IQ goes up at that point..?

David.

 

[stan1980]

Yeah, but I'll be moving to Hertfordshire next year. Dunno if my IQ goes up at that point..?

David.

It should do. Whenever I visit Essex I feel that little bit more stupider. That said, depends where in Herts, if you're moving to Borehamwood I wouldn't count on it!

 

[lawtonfogle]

Okay, I've devised a series of tests, Christians, to see who is smarter.

First of all, the IQ test. Me and God will both sit an IQ test and see who gets the highest score. Oh, what's that I feebly hear you say Christians? "God doesn't 'do' IQ tests?". Well that's convenient. Too bad!

Stan 1 God 0 YESSSS!! Go Stan, Go Stan!

Second test, a physical and skills test. Me and God will pit against each other, one on one, in a sport of God's choice. I asked God which sport she would like to play, but I had no response. In the interests of fairness though, I got my independent adjudicator to pick a sport. Tennis it is. No show from God, scared of getting whooped I expect. Too bad!

Stan 2 God 0 Whooooooo! In your face God!

Okay, third test. I hear God is quite the compassionate being, so I've devised a test to see exactly how compassionate she is. I've choked 2 men with a bottle top. One for me to save, and the second for God to save. I quickly apply the Heimlich manoeuvre on man A, saving his life. Sadly, man B choked to death. Another one chalked up for the StanMeister!

Stan 3 God 0.. This is quite literally turning into a massacre!

I can't see anyway of God getting back into this, and the referee stops the match before anyone else gets hurt and awards it to Stan.

Thank you and good night.

One day Stan dies...
Stan *who cares, he's dead* God 0.

Well, I'll take a 0 over a *who cares, he's dead*

or is it she? (I can't seem to find gender icons anymore.

 

[God-free]

One day Stan dies...
Stan *who cares, he's dead* God 0.

Well, I'll take a 0 over a *who cares, he's dead*

or is it she? (I can't seem to find gender icons anymore.

There's a pretty good chance that Stan has family and friends who would care very much if he died. You've made quite an assumption there, lawtonfogle.

~Barbara

 

[stan1980]

or is it she? (I can't seem to find gender icons anymore.

I am a 'he'. If the confusion came from me referring to God as a she, it was because of a promise I made the other day in another thread, although admittedly I was in 2 minds just then, as I didn't really want the first time I refer to God in a feminine sense to be in a negative way, but a promise is a promise, so I intend on being consistent.

There's a pretty good chance that Stan has family and friends who would care very much if he died. You've made quite an assumption there, lawtonfogle.

~Barbara

Thank you God-free, maybe some will care when I go, but even if they don't, in lawtonfogles own words "who cares".

In fact I'd rather people didn't care and get upset when I die, but that's just the kind of guy I am.