Three Questions

[Khandro]

With Brexit out of the way (?!) can we now turn to more momentous issues? I refer to those posed by St Augustine in reference to Creation; Who made it? By what means? & Why?

[andy-hughes]

Don't know

Don't know

Don't care.

[bookbinder]

St. Augustine said that God created everything in the universe simultaneously, and not over a period of 6 days. As far as I can ascertain, the saint did not explain the 'how', nor the 'why'.

[Buenchico]

Answer to q1: Nobody.
Q's 2 & 3 then become meaningless.

[andy-hughes]

And he knew this how?

[bookbinder]

Ah, well now, andy! The good saint forgot to say from where he got his information!

[naomi24]

Like many others, St Augustine made the mistake of assuming he knew who or what was responsible. Until that question is answered decisively the ‘how’ and ‘why’ are superfluous to discussion.

[JimF]

Lat Austyn have his swynk to him reserved!

[Old_Geezer]

Chances are, IMO (although I'm open to persuasion)

No one made it. It's always there in infinite forms because time is an illusion and all possibilities/probabilities exist simultaneously.

It not having been made, there were no means to make it. It's existence is the inevitable default situation.

It not having been made but always there, there is no why. Although perhaps use can be made of it.

[nailit]

Many years ago, as a Christian, I read St Augustine's 'Confessions'.
It struck me as tripe then and since re-reading it, as an atheist, has struck me as tripe since!
The man was a total fruitcake.
As regards the 3 questions...who cares!

[Theland]

I am convinced by the evidence, that God made it.
By what means? By His Word, He spoke it into existence. God speaks, His Word goes forth, and does not return until that which has been spoken has been accomplished.
Why? Because it was His will and His pleasure.

[pixie374]

There is no evidence... the honest answer, can only be "who knows?"

[Theland]

There is evidence, and I choose to believe it.

[pixie374]

You choose to...no proof though, in spite of thousands of years of millions trying...

[Theland]

Proof enough for me.

[nailit]

//I am convinced by the evidence, that God made it.
By what means? By His Word, He spoke it into existence. God speaks, His Word goes forth, and does not return until that which has been spoken has been accomplished.
Why? Because it was His will and His pleasure//

If 'God's words are so powerful as to bring into existence an unimaginably huge and complex universe and a planet teaming with life...then one has to wonder why he is so concerned with a bit of skin at the end of a Hebrews penis or why he is so concerned about people wearing clothing made of two different materials.

Shouldn't he be more concerned about pedophilia (no commandments about that in the top ten...or elsewhere for that matter)

Or giving us some REAL prophecies
(Like predicting the advent of the internet)

Or straight out telling us that he will be returning in the year 2525
(Or some such)
Why is it all a guessing game?

[pixie374]

There is no proof at all. Millions of people "choose" to follow different religions. Just one of them, by now, would have been able to prove something, if there was any truth in it.
Anyone can believe what they like, of course, but "I want to think this" is never going to be an argument.

[Theland]

I can't be bothered going over all the old ground we have covered in the past.
It is not a competition with winners and losers.
I am simply stating my opinions.
Some things puzzle you, but can be explained.
For example, circumcision and not wearing two types of cloth.
Judaism was a living religion, with lots of symbolism.
Circumcision was a sign of the Abrahamic covenant.
The Israelites were not to fraternise with neighbouring nations for fear of adapting their ways.
Hence, not mixing threads, or sowing together two types of crop.
Constant reminders of their exclusiveness.

[pixie374]

And your evidence/proof for God?

[Theland]

My evidence gets attacked and I get ridiculed the moment I post it.
Done all of this before.
The responses always come from confirmed atheists who believe science has all of the answers, or will do soon, and my beliefs are rubbished.

[pixie374]

I have genuinely never seen your own ideas- I don't bother with YouTube links and other people's ideas here. I assume if you believe something, you are willing and able to at least explain them.