What will happen if, science runs across definitive proof of God?

[Ana the Ist]

It seems most people are answering the question under the assumption that the God found to exist is their idea of God. Suppose this God that is found to exist is a being you or nobody has ever heard of? How would that change the world?

Ken

Lol don't even bother with that question Ken, I can't tell you how many times I've asked it. I've even carefully framed it as a hypothetical scenario ... most christians on here are going to dodge the question. I think 2-3 were willing to say they would either change their beliefs or they wouldn't believe it was really god (and in the hypothetical, I made sure to point out the evidence was undeniable).

I think the problem with the question is that it requires a christian to admit they'd change their beliefs (which is simultaneously taboo and makes their current faith seem weakly based) or admit that they wouldn't change their beliefs (which makes it appear that evidence has nothing to do with their faith...which is also a weak basis).

 

[agua]

Lol don't even bother with that question Ken, I can't tell you how many times I've asked it. I've even carefully framed it as a hypothetical scenario ... most christians on here are going to dodge the question. I think 2-3 were willing to say they would either change their beliefs or they wouldn't believe it was really god (and in the hypothetical, I made sure to point out the evidence was undeniable).

I think the problem with the question is that it requires a christian to admit they'd change their beliefs (which is simultaneously taboo and makes their current faith seem weakly based) or admit that they wouldn't change their beliefs (which makes it appear that evidence has nothing to do with their faith...which is also a weak basis).

This is very relevant and something most Christians don't consider as you say. In the last days there will be a strong case for a different God. I suppose you could say the strength of their faith will determine if they hold to their current belief or accept the new god. I suggest the accuracy of their faith will be the clincher. Nice catch !

 

[grandvizier1006]

Lol don't even bother with that question Ken, I can't tell you how many times I've asked it. I've even carefully framed it as a hypothetical scenario ... most christians on here are going to dodge the question. I think 2-3 were willing to say they would either change their beliefs or they wouldn't believe it was really god (and in the hypothetical, I made sure to point out the evidence was undeniable).

I think the problem with the question is that it requires a christian to admit they'd change their beliefs (which is simultaneously taboo and makes their current faith seem weakly based) or admit that they wouldn't change their beliefs (which makes it appear that evidence has nothing to do with their faith...which is also a weak basis).

No need to taunt us like that. I'll admit I don't really know and hope that I'll never have to answer this question in real life, but in the future maybe I'll be more prepared.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

...perhaps, but there is a world of difference between believing in God and genuine willingness to worship that same God.

That's assuming that God demands worship. Such a demand seems awfully human, and less God-like.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

I think that science would then begin it's search for the origins of such a being...begin to explore its limitations, abilities, etc. It would probably facilitate an entire branch of science being created for just such a being.

That's one of the beautiful things about science IMO, it never stops... never settles for "enough"....it just continues along endlessly pursuing new knowledge.

There seems to be this assumption that the discovery of God would be the end of the inquiry. Such a monumental discovery would only be the beginning! We would next ask questions about the nature of this being, its origin and history, its capacity to interact with and potentially create matter, and so on. Such a discovery would open a myriad of new frontiers to explore.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

What will happen if science someday runs across definitive proof of a God?, or a force that they find has a mind and a will, and is exerting that will in our world in measurable quantum ways? or something like that...

How would our world change if something like this happened?

God Bless!

This article from Sam Harris seems relevant:

Our Narrow Definition of “Science” : My Response to the 2014 Edge Question : Sam Harris

The scientific attitude can handle whatever happens to be the case. Indeed, if the evidence for the inerrancy of the Bible and the resurrection of Jesus Christ were good, one could embrace the doctrine of fundamentalist Christianity scientifically. The problem, of course, is that the evidence is either terrible or nonexistent—hence the partition we have erected (in practice, never in principle) between science and religion.

 

[Ana the Ist]

No need to taunt us like that. I'll admit I don't really know and hope that I'll never have to answer this question in real life, but in the future maybe I'll be more prepared.

I apologize...sincerely. I didn't mean for it to come off as a taunt, I merely wanted to relate my experience on this forum with that question. I could probably still find the threads if I looked around for a bit and I will link you to them if you're interested in seeing what I was speaking about.

Really though, it was unfair of me to presuppose every christians' answers based upon the few dozen or so that I've seen. So why don't you share your answer and show me wrong? I'll frame the question for you and please remember...it's purely a hypothetical. Here we go...

Let's suppose that god appears before you and proves to you with 100% certainty that he is indeed god. How does he prove it? It doesn't matter...maybe he takes you back in time and shows you how he created the universe...the point is that he's convinced you that he is indeed god. Once you understand this, he proceeds to tell you that christianity (or whatever your religion is) is wrong. It was created by men, he (god) had no part in creating any of it. After he tells you this, he then flies away up into space never to be seen again....

Do you remain a christian after this encounter? Why or why not?

 

[Ana the Ist]

This is very relevant and something most Christians don't consider as you say. In the last days there will be a strong case for a different God. I suppose you could say the strength of their faith will determine if they hold to their current belief or accept the new god. I suggest the accuracy of their faith will be the clincher. Nice catch !

Sounds like you've already thought this over once before... why not take a stab at answering the same hypothetical question? Here you go....

Let's suppose that god appears before you and proves to you with 100% certainty that he is indeed god. How does he prove it? It doesn't matter...maybe he takes you back in time and shows you how he created the universe...the point is that he's convinced you that he is indeed god. Once you understand this, he proceeds to tell you that christianity (or whatever your religion is) is wrong. It was created by men, he (god) had no part in creating any of it. After he tells you this, he then flies away up into space never to be seen again....

Do you remain a christian after this encounter? Why or why not?
_____________

 

[agua]

Sounds like you've already thought this over once before... why not take a stab at answering the same hypothetical question? Here you go....

Let's suppose that god appears before you and proves to you with 100% certainty that he is indeed god. How does he prove it? It doesn't matter...maybe he takes you back in time and shows you how he created the universe...the point is that he's convinced you that he is indeed god. Once you understand this, he proceeds to tell you that christianity (or whatever your religion is) is wrong. It was created by men, he (god) had no part in creating any of it. After he tells you this, he then flies away up into space never to be seen again....

Do you remain a christian after this encounter? Why or why not?
_____________

I haven't considered this particular question before but it's similar to several questions of this type I've seen before. Firstly you know you've framed the question in a way that excludes any answer than the one you desire. I think this is called "Loaded question " maybe ?

If I'm ( considering that I am a true believer as per Abraham, David. Paul etc. ) able to be convinced that Yahweh isn't the One True God then He isn't and I would accept that for sure. Why would I believe in something/someone that I don't believe in ? I would not remain Christian, of course.

Now can you answer my question ( simply please as I've done for you ) Many people in the last days will be convinced that the Beast ( or Satan if you like ) is God because of supernatural displays. If you see these supernatural displays will you be convinced this Being is God ?

Mar 13:21-22 KJV And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: (22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't think this is ever going to happen. People that don't want to believe in God would always interpret the evidence in a way that suits their prejudices, IMO. A Bible could start levitating off the ground and an atheist would still want to find some other explanation for it besides "God did it!" (and I bet quite a few Christians would have the same objections as the atheist). Like the duckrabbit, evidence is often ambiguous and can be interpreted in many ways.

I'd also add there are Christian theologies (very legitimate Christian theologies, I might add) that assert that God is unknowable outside of revelation (which is accepted on faith). How do you think that makes the claim that God somehow will be discovered irrefutably look? Anything scientists discovered with a telescope or microscope (or whatever) certainly will not lead them irresistably to the Holy Trinity. Blaise Pascal had the same objection to the "God of philosophers".

 

[Archaeopteryx]

I don't think this is ever going to happen. People that don't want to believe in God would always interpret the evidence in a way that suits their prejudices, IMO. A Bible could start levitating off the ground and an atheist would still want to find some other explanation for it besides "God did it!" (and I bet quite a few Christians would have the same objections as the atheist). Like the duckrabbit, evidence is often ambiguous and can be interpreted in many ways.

Why would a levitating book be considered good evidence for a deity? Perhaps I should phrase the question differently: why would Goddidit be the first and most likely hypothesis you would consider to explain a levitating book? Why not fairies, ghosts, demons, etc? Why not consider the possibility that it is a trick or illusion? It seems to me that the theist reaches for the most familiar hypothesis first (Goddidit), neglecting all others.

 

[dazed]

What will happen if science someday runs across definitive proof of a God?, or a force that they find has a mind and a will, and is exerting that will in our world in measurable quantum ways? or something like that...

How would our world change if something like this happened?

God Bless!

Nothing changes. We're still fighting over if this god is a Christian, Muslim, Greek, Norse .... god.

 

[Inkfingers]

What will happen if science someday runs across definitive proof of a God?

It will be ignored by those whom God has closed the eyes and hardened the hearts of...

 

[quatona]

It will be ignored by those whom God has closed the eyes and hardened the hearts of...

Interesting God you have there...

 

[dazed]

It will be ignored by those whom God has closed the eyes and hardened the hearts of...

Why would this god do that?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

It will be ignored by those whom God has closed the eyes and hardened the hearts of...

Which would mean that they are not at epistemic fault; they've been deceived by God.

 

[Inkfingers]

Why would this god do that?

If and when it occurs, it does so because such is necessary in a consistent and orderly universe.

 

[Inkfingers]

Which would mean that they are not at epistemic fault; they've been deceived by God.

I means they will have been kept ignorant by God, just as he keeps animals ignorant of his nature an existence.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

I means they will have been kept ignorant by God, just as he keeps animals ignorant of his nature an existence.

Yes, which simply reaffirms what I said about them not being at epistemic fault.

 

[bhsmte]

Why would this god do that?

Yea, I thought he loved all his creation?