What does God look like?

HANK :)

No one knows Shirley.

In the bible we read a variety of things: first we were created in the IMAGE of God. Second, we read of people seeing God's hands, legs, feet, etc. Hearing his voice. Interestlingly, most christian religions take the bible to be very literal, yet on these ideas previously expressed, they don't take into account, which I neither say is good nor bad. However, if we were created in the image of God, look in the mirror. To say GOd has the shape of man, is by no means degrading our God. Look at it the other way, He is not the image of man, but we are the image of God. It shows how highly we, as His children, are looked upon in his eyes. Christ himself stood on the right hand of God in Stephen's vision before his death in Acts. I must say I have never seen God, but many people have, including jacob who wrestled with God, Moses spoke with God face to face as he would with another man. (I can give yo scriptural references in a future reply if you want them.) It all points to what the image of God is.

The God of The Bible was created in the minds of the people who told the stories that eventually became the Bible and they created him in their image. I suspect that most of those who believe in a single god have an image of a god that is similar to their image rather than Jaba the Hud.

No one knows Shirley.

... or it is what you imagine to be.

Ereht si on dog

I guess , Hank , that you would know that, as anybody else would know...

God is supposed to be universal and there is no one on this planet who could claim knowing what he is looking like.

Apart from that,I must say , that there is no God at all.
So,its no surprise at all , that nobody knows what God looks like...

Love!

You can't prove to me there is no God. Where's your evidence? I want substantial proof of your opinion. Your definition of God as Universal is also so general it's wrong. A lot of religions in the world believe in more than just some random universal being.

Hi SSchultz0956!

First of all Id say , don't mention proof in cases one has no alternative proof.
Secondly , as you stated yourself , there are many versions of God,which in itself imply that there can't be proof for all these creations of the mind.
Remaining of course the proposition,that one of the "known" alternatives must be right or an additional one.

Let me opt for the additional alternative one:there is no God.

So at least , if bringing proof into play at this point , we are even.

In my experiences in life I discovered the power of Life itself.That is the source of Life,which is in every living being.You can work together with your source of Life.
Your source of Life will work on your behalve and your wishes and will make them come true.
Even,one can practice using the power of your Life source directly.E.g. it is possible to move the clouds and let the sun shine just by directing the power of Life to that goal.(I can manage that if nature isn't too wild).
Many things ,which we think,being beyond our control or influence are ascribed to ( a) God,but in fact we can influence far more things consciously using the power of Life itself.Preferably all together,because we all = one and the power of more Life-sources is bigger than just one alone.

The power of Life itself is not almighty and it never does any harm or anything in the field of punishment.

Creation is no issue.
Its all about nature and we are part of it.
Universe is eternal,infinite and has been there always and will be for ever.

We should live to our potential ,acknowledging the potential of Life itself and accepting our limitations,without transferring or projecting them to phantasies like (any) God.

Living positive lives,our source of Life,which is in us, will work for us to its potential.
Any negativity will block this connection,because our energy will be pointed to and consumed by fixing that.
So , live a positive life acknowledging your Life-source and accepting the remaining limitations.

Love!

Since you don't believe in God and yo said,

Universe is eternal,infinite and has been there always and will be for ever.
You are neither a beleiver in science nor religion, what are you, a fish?

First of all, yes, you have no proof, second, my proof is everything around us. Question (though seemingly childish, humor me): Do you know what salt tastes like? If so, explain to me it's taste.

I guess,I am no longer talking to you.

I could ne a fish as well...

Ill inform the webauthorities here about your insulting behaviour.

Since you don't believe in God and yo said,

you are neither a beleiver in science nor religion, what are you, a fish?

First of all, yes, you have no proof, second, my proof is everything around us. Question (though seemingly childish, humor me): Do you know what salt tastes like? If so, explain to me it's taste.
The part that you quoted about the universe could be related to science could it not? I'm in Gguru's camp, our proof is all around us too.
I could also say to you: describe the colour "red"? What the hell does that prove?

Your blind faith makes discussion impossible.

First of all Needkarma, answer the question and maybe you'll find out.
Second, the universe being eternal is not science, the word universe is, but the sentence changes it completely. I'm sorry guru is offended by a question. It's not really my problem. NEEDKARMA humor me, explain to me what salt tastes like and maybe you'll see my point? Or don't answer it and be left in the dark.

The color red can't be defined by words alone, just like you can't tell me what salt tastes like. We don't know what something is until we experience it. I can't define God nor can anyone else, it's only experienced, and with that I hope you someday experience God too. It's the only way to know he's there, and it can't be explained much more than that.

We don't know what something is until we experience it.
That sounds an awful lot like the scientific process.

I can't define God nor can anyone else, it's only experienced, and with that I hope you someday experience God too. It's the only way to know he's there, and it can't be explained much more than that.
And since there is no proof it's an issue of faith. I'm happy you have found something that makes you happy and comforts you.

You say that everything around us is proof there is a god. It is really only proof that there is everything around us and even that can be questioned.

What is it that we are perceiving as this life, really? We discovered that we are made up of atoms which are mostly space. Oh, sorry, I think science is now looking at tiny wiggling threads to describe what we are made of, we and all matter, I think. Science may at some time in the future peer around the curtain and learn something beyond our perception though I doubt it. We don’t even know what our being really is. It could be something similar to a video game, just a series of sensations that we, in some existence outside our perception, have subscribed to. Imagine jumping into a video game and being the “person” in the game. In that imagination the creator would be the creator of the game. It could be a single entity or a committee or a whole species in some other world. Whatever has brought us into being is not known.

This thread is asking for a description of god not a justification for god. Believe that this life as we know it could not have come into being without a creator. I fine belief that I subscribe to myself. But even if that belief is true and there is a creator, the existence of a creator does not describe the creator.

You can take the Old Testament view (a view conjured up about 2500 years ago by people who thought the earth was flat and that it was the center of the universe) or you can do some serious thinking about the question. Perhaps you will come up with a new idea that will make more sense to us here at the beginning of the 21st millennium.

Whatever you choose, it will be an idea, a thought, a belief, a faith but what it will definitely not be, no matter how strongly you believe it, is a fact. If everyone in the world right now could suddenly understand the difference between belief and reality, conflict around the world would end. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Just imagine Osama bin Laden suddenly saying, “You know, my religion may not be the only way. It is just my belief. Look at all the people out there who believe differently. Who am I to say they are wrong and I am right?”

Ah, well, we can dream, can’t we?

Hi, Hank,
You post some very interested posts; and really get people thinking.
God looks like what each individual wants Him to be, if they are a Christian. If they are not a Christian, then they will not know what God is, how He might look to them; because God only answers prayers from a Christian. (from the New Testament).
There is only one God, as stated in the Pledge of Allegiance, saying "under God"... not Gods.
If one doesn't believe in God, as other posts have stated, they are lost... completely and utterly lost. They will never know the peace and what God is, does, and what He can do. There isn't much time for those people, because death can come at any time, and they will then never know.
Prayer is the most powerful force in the world, but only if it comes from a Christian, Baptized into Jesus Christ.
What does God look like? Whatever you wish Him to look like. I see God in other Christian's eyes, in what they say, and how they act.

Hi, Hank,
If one doesn't believe in God, as other posts have stated, they are lost...completely and utterly lost.
Well that's your opinion and you seem to be quite narrow minded.

I'm sorry if I appear to be too cold about this, but the question cannot be answered. To see something means to identify it by sight. God cannot be seen.

Isn't it like asking if the color red is hot or cold?

... and same thing goes for a definition of God. Our finite language cannot even begin to define an infinite thing.

For God, we can come close to defining Him as Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Eternal... but even that falls short as we cannot even dream of picturing these things in our minds.

I'm sorry if I appear to be too cold about this, but the question cannot be answered. To see something means to identify it by sight. God cannot be seen.
Actually, if we base it off the bible, many people have seen God and identified him by sight.

I think rather that they have seen what He wished them to see at the moment: Burning bush, whatever form he appeared to Adam and Eve, a cloud in the desert, etc...

In any Biblical example of someone "seeing" God in the form of _______, can we not then turn right around and also say that say that God is not a _______?

Actually, in exodus moses spoke with God face to face like man would to his brother,

Those who take the Bible literally frequently find themselves resorting to leaps of faith in a rational discussion. Leaps of faith are even necessary when reading the Bible.

In describing God perhaps we should explore some traits. He is often described as loving. Can anyone who is familiar with the Bible point out some words or actions attributed to God in the Old Testament that support the idea that he is a loving God?

Oh, so you mean mary wasn't a virgin because that would be taking it literally. I wonder why they would hype that up in the bible? Maybe killig being bad is only figurativly speaking, maybe they were only referring to bugs?

Surely you jest!!

I hesitate to jump in here because this is a no win debate. There is no proof on either side that is conclusive.

The whole concept of religion is one of faith not fact. Religions are purely the attempts of mankind to explain the unexplainable. Early religions arose to explain what the forces of nature where. They personfied the Sun and Moon and elements like Wind and Water. Judiasm invested all of this into one deity and created a set of ethics that is the based for all the major religions. Islam and Christianity built on the precepts of Judiaism but branched away. Christianity to a belief in Jesus as the son of god. Islam, to different concepts of heaven.

But it all boils down to man's attempts to explain the unexplainable and to establish a concept of good and evil.

My view on this is deism. Deism is the belief that some intelligent force setup the universe according to a complex set of rules (physics, biology, etc.). And then let the chips fall where they may. My basis for this belief is that the complexity of set of rules is so great that I have to believe they were created by some consciousness. But I cannot believe that the same consciousness or intelligence that could create this universe could sit by and allow all the misery and evil that has occurred since the universe was created.

Scott<>

At the risk of getting even further off the original question (which I did reply to :D ); I am confused by your explanation.

If one believes that the intellegent force/consciousness ("He" for brevity) "let the chips fall where they may" then how could that person wonder why He would "allow [fill in the blank]"?

To disallow, prohibit or otherwise affect an outcome, then He can't be letting the chips fall as they may, can He?

I don't feel like I'm explaining well. Am I making any sense?

At the risk of getting even further off of the original question (which I did reply to :D ); I am confused by your explanation.

If one believes that the intellegent force/consciousness ("He" for brevity) "let the chips fall where they may" then how could that person wonder why He would "allow [fill in the blank]"?

To disallow, prohibit or otherwise affect an outcome, then He can't be letting the chips fall as they may, can He?

I don't feel like I'm explaining well. Am I making any sense?

Now I'm confused. The expression 'Let the chips fall where they may' implies that there is no control other than the set of physical laws that were established. For example, there is a physical law of gravity. But that has not precluded mankind from using other physical laws (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction-Newton's Law that is the basis of rocket science) to get around the law of gravity and travel into space.

There are rules of chemistry that allow for the formulation gunpowder. But there is no control on how gunpowder is used. Essentially man was given free will and free reign to use and manipulate the physical laws created by this intelligent force. By allowing that free will it was letting the chips fall where they may.

Ok, I understand how you separate it... but I feel like believing that He would let the "scientific" chips fall where they may would make it easy to accept that He lets all matters go their course.

So, then, by "misery and evil" are you only speaking of misery caused by man?

What about other miseries like Hurricanes, droughts, floods, etc.

As for misery caused by man's behavior, the alternative to "allow[ing] all the misery and evil" is not allowing it. That is, taking away our free will. Would that be better? I think of the seemingly human people of the future in The Time Machine...

It just seems to me that if he would prohibit human behavior that causes misery or suffering, then it would be completely logical for Him to make sure that the scientific "chips" never fall in a way that results in misery or suffering.

That's my point, Rick. I'm not saying that I would prefer a controlling force. I'm just saying that I don't believe that a deity as described in various religions would allow the level of misery and evil that exists. So I'm saying that once this intelligent force set down the rules, it no longer interfered, controlled or influenced what has occurred as a result of those rules.

And I am referring to natural as well as man made misery.

Frankly, I believe we are an experiment. I fully expect there are other such experiments somewhere in the universe. Some may precede us others come after (and maybe improve on) the design.

Scott<>

I was not responding about "a deity as described in various religions", I was responding to your view of the "intellegent force".

You said you do believe that He Created, and that the scientific chips fall as they may - but that you "...cannot believe that the same consciousness or intelligence that could create this universe could sit by and allow all the misery and evil..."

It seems illogical to me...

This is in response to the comment that God only answers the prayers of a Christian. There is NO PROOF WHATSOEVER of that claim. Yes, one can choose whether to believe in the mere existence of a supreme being and of course there are religions (i.e. Hinduism) that even believe in more than one deity. Simply being of a monotheistic faith does not give ANYONE the right to say that those who do follow polytheistic teachings are wrong. The Bible states in several places that anyone who follows God's teachings will be saved and that their prayers will be answered. Keep in mind, as was mentioned earlier that Christianity is BASED ON JUDAISM. This means that Christians do not discount Jewish teachings but that the teachings of Christ are IN ADDITION to the teachings in the Old Testament. If God does exist, as so many (including myself) believe, He listens to, if not answers, all prayers. Jews and Christians alike can look to God for guidance but in the end, it is our own choice what path to follow, hence the concept of free will. But to say that God will ONLY answer the prayers of a Christian is extremely narrow-minded and actually un-Christian, as Jesus stated that God will listen to anyone who follows His (God's) teachings.

As for the original question of what God looks like, no living person can answer that question. There is no answer to that given in the Bible. We can only find the answer to that on Judgment Day, whenever that comes.

I agree with you blondiechika05.

That God only answers the prayers of Christians is not a doctrine of the historic Christian faith.

Let Me Think On That For A Moment. "god Os Love." So That Scenario Excludes Any Bitterness. "the Earth Is His Footstool",
Now That Is One Gigantic Hunk Of Love... actually Astronomical!
What Does God Look Like? Maybe He Looks Just Like The Person Who Reached Down To Give You A Helping Hand Up When You Were At Your Rope's End. Think About It...

Hi Hank,

God gives us an idea of the effect of his presence in the book of Revelation. The apostle John had a vision that approximated seeing God, in the sense that it revealed the effect of beholding him on his throne. God was not like a man in appearance, for he has not revealed any figure of his to man, as John himself said later: “No man has seen God at any time.” (Joh 1:18) Rather, God was shown to be like highly polished gems, precious, glowing, beautiful, that attract the eye and win delighted admiration. He was “in appearance, like a jasper stone and a precious red-colored stone, and round about the throne there [was] a rainbow like an emerald in appearance.” (Re 4:3) Thus, he is lovely in appearance and pleasant to look at, causing one to lose oneself in wonderment. About his throne there is further glory and an atmosphere of calmness, serenity; the appearance of a perfect rainbow of emerald indicates that, reminding one of the enjoyable quieting calm that follows a storm.—Compare Ge 9:12-16.

How different the true God is, therefore, from the gods of the nations, who are often depicted as being grotesque, angry, fierce, implacable, merciless, whimsical as to their favors and disfavors, horrifying and fiendish, and ready to torture earthly creatures in some kind of inferno.

Take care,
Hope12

‘ God has granted authority only to those following Jesus Christ ‘

You said this in an earlier post in September -

“ How different the true God is, therefore, from the gods of the nations, who are often depicted as being grotesque, angry, fierce, implacable, merciless, whimsical as to their favors and disfavors, horrifying and fiendish, and ready to torture earthly creatures in some kind of inferno”

Here is another comment from you that strikes me as extreme elitism in religion, that is YOUR religion which is of course saying that NO other religion has any validity, strength, authority, legitimacy or even a reason for being.

Something else puzzles me, you are evidently, by your words, a Jehovah Witness yet you use a Jewish logo to symbolize yourself, that seems to be somewhat hypocritical, and quite dishonest since according to you ONLY those who follow Jesus are “authorized” and surely you know that the Hebrew religion does not follow Jesus.

Your words are unpleasant to those whose religious choices are different than yours. Most distasteful is your last comment where you portray THE TRUE GOD [yours] as perfect – have you “REALLY” read your bible? If you have you will have to admit that the god portrayed in the bible is just as you describe - “depicted as being grotesque, angry, fierce, implacable, merciless, whimsical as to their favors and disfavors, horrifying and fiendish, and ready to torture earthly creatures in some kind of inferno” to those whose religious inclinations and choices are different such as Jews, Muslims, Janists, Buddhists, Taoists, etc etc.

I am all for expressing one’s views on most topics, however when it comes to religious topics one should be aware that what is said during religious fervor can and often is objectionable to others, so common sense and some sensitivity should be displayed.

Irulan

‘ God has granted authority only to those following Jesus Christ ‘

You said this in an earlier post in September -



Hi Irulan,

Not that I disagree with anything you said, but it might help if you identified who you were responding to. There is nothing in your response to indicate that.

Scott<>

Hi Irulan,

Not that I disagree with anything you said, but it might help if you identified who you were responding to. There is nothing in your response to indicate that.

Scott<>

Hello Scott,

Yes, agree with you it would help! I was directing my comment to Hope 12.

Irulan

There are many "gods", but there is only one living god of the universe, creator of all.

Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


TRANSLATION, IF YOU WORSHIP YOUR MONEY AND RICHES, THEY ARE YOUR "god." AND THIS CAN APPLY TO ANYTHING.

THERE ARE MANY "gods", BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE LIVING GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, CREATOR OF ALL.

Sorry, but that makes assumptions that not everyone believes in.

Sorry, but that makes assumptions that not everyone believes in.

Agree with you Scott.

How about this hypothesis -

Like a colossal diamond - there is one Creator with many facets - each of us sees Him / Her through a different aspect.

Stony:
I agree with you 100% "THERE ARE MANY "gods", BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE LIVING GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, CREATOR OF ALL."

Take care,
Hope12

ereht si on dog

Tey reh/ mih dnuof ton aveh ouy, dog a si ereht.

Stony:
I agree with you 100% "THERE ARE MANY "gods", BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE LIVING GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, CREATOR OF ALL."

Take care,
Hope12



Mark 9 describes an interesting encounter. John tells Jesus that he and the other disciples have seen someone performing exorcisms in Jesus’ name, and that the disciples tried to stop him because the person was not in the "inner circle" of Jesus’ followers.


To understand the disciples’ motivation completely earlier in the chapter the disciples failed to help a man who asked them to perform such an exorcism on his hurting son.


There is a factor of jealousy in this text as the disciples try to deter the man who 'is not one of them' from using Jesus’ name to cast out demons, yet, it is the controlled manner of the disciples that comes through more than anything. They indirectly say "you are not one of us, so stop acting like you are, " regrettably, that spirit still oozes from those whose comments demonstrate your type of elitism.


It is interesting that the ‘boundaries’ set by Christ, and the boundaries set by his followers, are often so different and offensively exclusive, why is this so? Disillusion? Uncertain of what one believes? Fear that what you take as truth may be incorrect and that the truths of others is as valid as your own? Who knows!


Irulan

There is no god

Hank,

God is in all of us. God is all around us. God is the in everything. God is a spiritual being I belief. Can we see him. Not necessarily. Does he look like anything. I am sure he can become anything at anytime but as a spiritual being could he appear as light, as thought? No one really knows.

Joe

Hank,

God is in all of us. God is all around us. God is the in everything. God is a spiritual being I belief. Can we see him. Not necessarily. Does he look like anything. I am sure he can become anything at anytime but as a spiritual being could he appear as light, as thought? No one really knows.

JoeHank most likely will not see this post. He hasn't been here for about 4 months. He was notorious for beginning a thread and never returning to it to comment.

there is no god
You are right.

There is no God.

... And what is in all of us, is LIFE...

There is no allmighty,
Nobody is going to punish anyone.

There is LIFE in us,LIFE is our source.
We are forms , exposures of LIFE,with our LIFE-source within ourselves.

LIFE itself has much more possibilities,than most people think.
LIFE is not allmighty , yet very powerful , very much capable of connecting to other individual LIFE-sources,in order to make things happen.

One can profit from LIFE's capabilities most , if one has a positive attitude towards life in general,so that no energy is being wasted on covering up things or nasty plans ,lies or whatever negative activity.
LIFE is positive and only connecting to positive things.

One can only "punish"oneself by denying oneself the positive works of LIFE's powers.

Hope12: The logo I use in my posts is the Hebrew langauge for God's name Jehovah, which belongs to all those wishing to use that name, not just the Jews. I do not argue with those full of anger. When you calm down, I will continue to speak with you. Peace:- ------------------------------------------------------------------


Hope12, Yes, I know what the Hebrew letters mean, however, your explanation falls short in explaining your "logo". What you used is still Hebrew letters used to symbolize yourself as a Christian and this smacks of pure double standard and duplicity to me. Anger seems to bo part and parcel of your religion who condemns all who do not follow your type of fire and brimstone mentality. Calm yourself and try to find some human kindness for your fellow humans whose idea of god is different than yours.

Assalam-o-alaikum...
How Are you?? You Can Never Assigne A Face Of God!! Never... Who Say That I Know... he Is Fool... The God Is So Far From Us We Can Never Reach There... The Last Messenger "mohammad" (p.b.u.h), Rasool, And Beloved Of The God! Mohammad(peace Be Upon Him) Is Only One In The World, Who Watch The God... but At That Time... there Is A Cloth (as A Barrier) Between Mohammad(p.b.u.h) And The God!! No One Had Watched And No One Will Watch Ever In The World... That Is True... reply Me Must...

God is an IDEA, an ESSENCE, a FORCE, a BELIEF, a Myth, A Legend: the perception is the mind of the believer, but none of these can be said to have an IMAGE. Absolute Deity looks like NOTHING.