If God Revealed Himself . . . . .

[Theland]

If God revealed Himself with unequivocal evidence of His existence, would you recognise Him and worship Him on account of fear, or on account of love?
Think carefully before answering. Please.

[KARL]

I would possibly find myself completely overwhelmed by curiosity. I would start by asking him/her/it to explain whether he/she/it is indeed almighty as first-guessers have always maintained. If the answer were a Yes then I would summon my most articulate self in resoundingly castigating him/her/it for not only making a mess but apparently "being too busy" to put it right. If the answer were a No, then I would explain (if he/she/it is not already aware) how he/she/it is perpetually being misrepresented by very large numbers of very tedious people. Once that is out of the way, it is possible that a pleasant conversation would follow, during which I would probably (metaphorically) bore the pants off him/her/it with all sorts of questions - all assuming he/she/it knows any more than the rest of us.

[Rationalist]

The Christian Biblical God is variously described as omniscient, onmipotent and immanent.

If that God exists then it already knows my innermost thoughts and feelings. It would have already made an assessment of whether I am worthy of any fate it might be considering for my future.

The same applies to every human, animal, microbe and plant on this planet and every object throughout the universe.

If that God exists, then – being omniscient – it has already processed that information and set the course for the future. I am not arrogant enough to think that any change in my thoughts or expressions or emotions would affect the actions of such an all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present being.

So no, I would not worship that being.

I hope that I would treat it with respect and kindness – and (like Ozzy) offer it a beer and some fresh bread and good cheese and pickles.

If it truly were a good, kind and generous God, I have little doubt it would find that a great deal more satisfactory than any worship I might be able to offer

[naomi24]

//If that God exists, then – being omniscient ... //

According to the bible, he wasn't.

[Rationalist]

H Naomi

I guess there are different translations of the original Biblical texts, but this (admittedly pro-Bible) site has some Biblical references to their god's omniscience:
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God,-Omniscience-Of

This site has some non-Biblical references, which fits in with my use of the 'varoously described' comment:
https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/omniscience.html

Personally, I don't really care whether the Christain Bible claims that the Christian god is omniscient or otherwise.
I just sought to respond to the question.

The thrust being that such a powerful being would not be influenced by my actions or thoughts, just as we humans are not influenced by the actions of an individual single-celled organism doing its thing on some distant planet.

Essentially, I think we agree, but thank you for the clarification (if that is what it was).

[naomi24]

Rationalist, I understand the point you were making but simply pointing out that contrary to the claims of his followers, their God was not omniscient, the most obvious example of his failure in that area being the story of the flood. He created man, subsequently regretted it, and attempted to remedy his error. Sadly, he failed again. If only he'd known what was going to happen, eh? As far as I’m aware no translation of the bible tells a different story.

[Rationalist]

I think the Bible is inconsistent in this; as in many things.

[naomi24]

The authors and the translators made many errors and many alterations, but I've never known this story to be inconsistent. God was disappointed - twice.

[hereIam]

I wouldn't worship him, but I'd like to ask him a few questions.

[naomi24]

hereIam, what would you ask him?

[SparklyKid]

I cannot believe that seemingly rational intelligent people believe there is this entity they refer to as god, totally baffles me.

Theland referred to the power of prayer the other day, did not help Ken Bigley.

[naomi24]

I'm still wondering why Theland asks us to think carefully before answering.

[hereIam]

The obvious one really, why is there so much suffering in the world and so much cruelty? And possibly, did he create the world and how will it all end !

[naomi24]

Fair questions.

[nailit]

//If God revealed Himself with unequivocal evidence of His existence//
If there were unequivocal evidence of its existence, it wouldn't HAVE to reveal itself.

[nailit]

//I'm still wondering why Theland asks us to think carefully before answering//
There'll be some agenda behind it. Always is!

[andy-hughes]

I would be inclined to go down the Stephen Fry route, and say "How dare you?"

[agchristie]

I would ask him 'Why am I so special?'

(Oh, and tell him to think carefully)

[naomi24]

nailit, doubtless he'll tell us that if we don't think carefully and come up with the right answer, we're doomed.

[nailit]

//nailit, doubtless he'll tell us that if we don't think carefully and come up with the right answer, we're doomed. //

Yes naomi. That'll be it ;-)
Its all a sh* t test.
The Bible tells us over and over (with regular monotony) to fear God.
Yet it also tells us over and over (with regular monotony) to love God.
As if EITHER love or fear can be produced at will.

[naomi24]

I don't think it's possible to love something you fear.