It's a simple question with lots of complex answers. I just want to see what everyone's definition is.

The great thing about this thread, there is no wrong answer.

And I'm not looking for the "My pastor says this..." kind of answers either. I want all manners of different beliefs. Is he an all powerful human-like entity? Is he a being of pure energy? Is he just an idea? etc...

This is not a debate, so please, respect other people's posts in this. I just want to see the different answers people come up with.

-C

1) An explanation for things we cannot explain.

2) In conjunction with the concept of an afterlife, a band-aid to stop us having to contemplate our mortality.

3) The externalisation of part of our own dualistic nature, in that we are capable of both the noblest and also the most depraved behaviour. The noble side of our human psyche we usually ascribe to God/divinity, whereas the depraved becomes the Adversary.

our collective 'souls , selves , energy , ' something we are a part of not seperate from. I am God , you are God , we are God , so on and so forth. that's always one possibility.

I don't think it's some entity in the sky that revolves solely around humanity like we were the end all and be all of the universe.

The man with a plan......no not really.

Just an idea.

This sounds kind of like how my co-worker had put it. "The shiniest doorknob in a collection of doorknobs."

It could be nothing more than the force of chaos that formed everything. Not really having any influence in what happens to the universe now, but still responsible for the creation of everything.

-C

Perhaps a clumsy scientist in another universe accidentally hit the wrong button and created our universe.

god is everything, everywhere ever. me, you, a tree, a rock, the night, sound, light, string, a hotdog, matter, energy, etc, etc.
quote "we are gods perfect and holy thoughts and we live in his mind"

I don't know anymore what god is...I believe an energy...but im still looking to see and understand what this god really is....

I can pretend to myself i know and preach and preach...but who am I trying to kid, you or me?

It provides.

A physical entity which exists outside of , or permeates through, the linear time line.

It has either technology, or innate powers due to its form, to manipulate matter and energy, and these manipulations have historically been seen by humans as magic or miracles.

It displays an interest in sentient beings (if its relationship with humanity is anything to go by)

It claims (and displays, at least in part, through its other physical abilities) the ability to recreate dead humans, and also to restore the electro chemical storage and processing powers of the deceased. ie an ability to restore life to humans.

It has an ethical /moral code, which it appears to have been trying to impart to humans for many millenia at least, and displays in its communications with humans, the same form of self aware sentience (and the same codependent ethical /philosophical component of intelligence) which humans possess.

This goes some way to support its claim that it created humans, and did so largely in its own image. Suggesting that in many ways, humans have many of the powers and potentialities which god has, but in a much less evolved form.

THrough the millenia, it appears to come close to effective communication with many humans, particularly those who in some way "resonate" with god, or his nature. Some of these people have experienced parts of the wholeness of god, and have tried to expresss/explain these parts in human constructs appropriate to their society's technological and social understandings.

God is not all powerful, and perhaps not even all knowing, although in many respects he appears to come close to this. God's greatest gift to humanity (or perhaps simply something he shares with us) is a free will, which is made possible only through the nature of our sentience.

That sentience both gives us the physical ability to form conscious alternative possible scenarios to any situation, and also the ability to form and act on; moral, ethical, logical, or emotional choices, when deciding which alternative we will take.

It does the same for god, but his choices are informed, by his ability to see, process and evaluate infinite possibiilities almost instantaneously across both time and space, so that he exists, virtually instantaneously, both everywhere and everywhen.

God is both the energy and the physical elements of the universe, so he exists within us, and within all the universe. Because he can be in two people on opposite sides of the world, at the same time, he can enable those two people to communicate with each other.

Because he is existing now and through all time, he can create in any sentient consciousness accurate pictures or aural recordings of any time or place from the past present or future and transmit them instantaneously and accurately.

However the human body is not the perfect receiver and it seems that both, something perhaps physicallly different , and in the emotional/psychological nature within some humans makes them either more psychic more spiritual or both.

This ability has manifested in many individuals ,in all cultures through out human history and it is largely the nature and receptivity of the society around each individual which determines how those abilities are perceived and how those individuals are treated.

Modern western society seems to be both more tolerant of these abilities, and yet less believeing of them, than most previous human societies (perhaps these two qualities are naturally complementary, in that we do not fear/worry about what we do not accept as real)

My personal opinion is that what we call the holy ghost is the energy form/component of god which powers this ability, like a central nervous system and circulatory system in a human, but that god exists as waves, particles and other forms of energy./matter, and is thus able to materialise and dematerialise anywhere and anywhen, because he already exists there.

It is even possible, given god's nature that, as with other energy forms, the effect of observation, or of an observer, may influence the way in which god appears.

God is something that at once transcends human understanding but is still able to come down to our level allowing us to have a personal relationship with it.

I have to go along with leonardo on this one


God is an Human invention to try to explain the things they didn't understand and to provide solace from the thought of eternal darkness at death


fullywired

Salaam (Peace)

I believe that Allah is Incomparably One, without partnership. Not mind, matter, spirit or energy. In my belief: Allah is not a thing, Allah is not everything, and Allah is not nothingness.

I ask this with respect, and an admitedly limited knowledge of islamic beliefs, but personally then, if god (Allah) does not exist in either material (matter) or immaterial (spirit) form, then in what sense can he exist at all.

Or is what you are saying, simply, that god is beyond human comprehension, and that we should not even attempt to understand the; nature, form and function of a being who asks us to worship him.

That sort of belief is both alien to human nature, and ultimately counter productive to god. Humans always perform better when they inderstand the nature of both task and taskmaster.

To this end, god seems to have gone to some trouble, over the millenia, trying to get humans to understand his nature, form and function; and the relationship he expects between himself and humanity.

But thats my personal viewpoint. I would just appreciate it, if you could clarify just how you do perceive god to be.

God is existence. He is the only true existence. The Hebrew word Havayah (which means to be and is also God's name) is what God is. God is the ultimate existence. The only true self-sufficient existence. The only eternal existence. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and exists everywhere that there is existence. The only place where he does not exist is in non-existence.

Just to add one of my other co-worker's ideas...

God is nothing more than an idea. Created by a government that doesn't want to be expressly noted as being the government (for population control/conspiracy theory control). Just made for the sake of giving the population a set sense of morals that would keep the population from reverting into an anarchy/chaotic state.

With the teachings from the government (I.E. the Bible, Koran, Etc...) the people will believe that if they do not follow God's laws, they will be punished in the afterlife. Not wanting this they go along with it. Thus unknowingly, they go along with this governments laws. Maintaining order amongst the populace. No people being killed. No stealing. Etc etc.



-C

Excellent replies everybody. Especially Mr. Walker. Thank you for that very detailed post

I'd still like to see more ideas be posted on here. No matter how absurd.

-C

Salaam (Peace)

My concept of "God" (Allah) is called Tawheed (Oneness-Islamic Monotheism); The Oneness/unity experienced within creation is known as ittihaad., from the same root, but different, ittihaad would better describe the Monotheism of the Trinity, and Pantheism. Allah does not have parts and sections, that applies to creation, not The Creator. Understanding and Knowing Allah is beyond human intellect ('aql) but the soul (nafs) is inspired with knowledge of The Creator [symbolized by the 99 Names]. The performance of humans in relation to task and taskmaster, also applies to creation but not The Creator. Allah is not like anything, and Knowing Allah is not like knowing anything. Allah is Omnipotent, and never attempts anything, Allah guides whomsoever He choses. Allah is Omniscient, does not have to figure out anything. Allah Created everything from nothing and is not defined or bound by either, Omnipresence could be misleading, Allah created space, and does not have a location, whether it is a single place or everyplace. Unbound by space and time. Unbound by the rules of perception, and conception, such rules are only applicable to creation. Although the term "He" is used, it is clear in Quran that Allah has no gender, but is The Creator of gender, and all expressions of polarity. The relationship with The Creator cannot be accurately compared to any other kind of relationship.

Thank you


Concept of Tawheed

Adam Duritz, Alanis Morrisette & Eric Clapton. The Holy Trinity.

( I'm an Atheist. God is something that happens to other people. )

Thank you . That helps my understanding of your concept of Allah. What is the general islamic view, then, on how Allah communicated the koran to Mohammed, if he does not generally possess physical or spiritual form?

This description of god/allah in many ways matches the nature of the god i know, but how then, from an islamic perspective, does Allah communicate with, and interact with, humans.?

Classically, christians see angels or physical manipulations of matter/energy as avatars/messengers of god, and his direct intervention to help his believers. Is there an equivalent islamic view, and how is this reconciled with Allahs lack of physical/spiritual presence?

"What is God"

A figment of imagination created by primitive humans, apparently, some still believe in it.

He is what He is. If I said He was a creature, I automatically force my perceptions and limitations upon Him. And when I say 'Him', I say that as a matter of comprehension on my part, not matter of composition on 'His' part. If I said He was a burning bush, I automatically set that limitation to Him in my own perception. When all you want to see is apples, you will refuse to see any oranges. If He presents Himself in one way or one form, that is not His appearance, but how He chose to appear to us so that we would understand something about His nature or character. He is what He wants to be how He wants to be it at any time He wants to be it.

Therefore, I find it improper to place a human description of God's appearance, or to say what His name really is. I believe that one way we can understand God is by seeing what we should have, but lack. Justice to the victim. Love to the undesired. Father to the fatherless. Husband to the widow. Mother to those who need nurturing. He is not merely the provisions themselves, though, just as a worm is not a bird. For any manifestation only lacks that which is unmanifested. If God were a manifestation, His provisions to us would be limited to that manifestation. But if He was what He wanted to be in any way He wanted to be it, then His provisions to us would be limitless. He is Almighty.

its a generic label used to understand and describe and lend definition to things that one can't otherwise explain, understand or justify ....Its a term that many filter a lifestyle through or hold fears at bay with .or otherwise use this as a way to inspire change for themselves in whatever area they feel is in need of change or alteration. ..

i have outgorwn the need for dietys in any form... I live life on lifes terms and it works for me......

God is not enough.

That's an oxymoron. God is the source of all things. To say that God is not enough is to contradict yourself and even make less of everything, even you.

Salaam (Peace)

The way in which Allah communicates with humans is similar to how Allah created all of existence. Allah created everything that exists, without form or modality, surely Allah can communicate and interact with all of existence without form or modality. The word "lack" would not be used in an Islamic context. Most of the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the Arch Angel Gabriel (AS), but Allah did, at times, "speak" directly to Muhammad as with Prophet Moses (AS). Quran says Allah spoke creation into existence "Kun Fayah Kun" ("be and it is"). However, this speaking is a mystery to us, in that space and time, sound and silence, were all brought into existence by His Amr ("command/decree"). The soul and the spirit are like receivers, created for the purpose of knowing and understanding our Creator, in a manner which transcends normal human consciousness, and is not restricted to the boundaries of communication and interaction among created beings. According to Hadith (saying of Prophet Muhammad) Allah cast an effusion of His Noor ("Light") upon creation.

“Allah (SWT) created creation fi zulmatin (in darkness), then He
afada (effused, poured, cast) upon it from His Noor, whoever
was touched by that Noor, he is guided, and whoever is missed
by it is misguided, therefore I say the Pen is dry, all is in Allah’s
foreknowledge”
Hadith related by Ibn Umar

The Noor Allah (Light of Allah) is not His Essence, it is that by which He is Known. There is no symbol/likeness for Allah (42:11), but there are symbols for His Light (24:35). Prophets are called Noor, so are divine revelations, one of the names of the Quran is "Noor", and guidance in general is called Noor. Angels are created from Noor. The 99 Names of Allah are called Noor, and the Heart of the "God-Conscious" believer radiates Noor, which will shine with brilliance in the hereafter. Among the Mystics of Islam this is known as the Noor Muhammad (Light of Muhammad); incarnation and/or personification aside, this has a lot in common with some of the doctrines of the Logos, OM, and the "Supreme Buddha". Lastly, it is taught that we are constantly in the Presence of Allah, and that Allah is more Near to us than anything. Here is a quote from Imam Ali (AS), cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the fourth Khalifah (Caliph).

“Imagination cannot surmise Him within the limits of
movements, limbs or senses. It cannot be said about Him
“from where” and no limits of time can be attributed to Him by
saying “until”. He is Apparent [Zahir] but it cannot be said
“from what”. He is Hidden [Bateen], but it cannot be said “in
what”. He is not a body, which can die, nor is He veiled so as
to be enclosed therein. He is not near to things by way of
touch, nor is He remote from them by way of separation.” (Ali
ibn Abu Talib; Najul Balagha #162)

its a stepping stone at best IMO... eventually one leaves the nest.....

blue i sense the omni squad counter here.. .the question is what is good evidence of this??? well the evidence has to be free of equivication and contradiction and ambiguity which the bible doesn't meet this criteria so MLOR has a reasonable posit....

but I understand that this is your pov....as filtered through a posit that has a vested interest in the faith. and promoting the faith....

Thanks darklight. That was a good explanation.

I can see no difference between the god i know and what you have described.. But then i can see no perceptible difference between the christian god and mine either.

The real differences in the religions come from the different interpretations of the nature and purpose of jesus, and inherent in that, the necessity for the christian god to have a certain duality in his nature.

The concept of the holy spirit really closely resembles the islamic concept of noor or light.

This supports my belief that the god of islam and the god of the christians is precisely the same entity, and is indeed the same entity which thrust himself into my life.

Just as i could describe my experiences as identical with those of christian people who claim to have had god revealed to them; if i was to describe the god i know in terms from an islamic culture, they would precisely match those descriptions and concepts you have outlined above.

It has been perceived and understood in different ways, because of the differences in the people who received the message, rather than any difference in the one who sent it.

God is absolute, eternal, all powerful etc.

He is one, there is nothing like him or equal to him.

He is not begotten neither does he beget.

He is power over everything.

He is seperate from his creation, time and space, the creator does not become his creation, neither do the creation become the creator. Whether in a small part or wholly. His attributes make him what he is, and our attribute are that of creation. We cannot comprehend what he look likes like, he has not gender, neither male nor female. We understand him by his attributes and this is how creation comprehends god, to try otherwise would be foolish, because everything we compare him to is creation, therefore nothing like him. He is perfection, we learn about him via revelations and prophets, his word like him is perfect, free of error or lies or contradiction.

There is no label,size,description etc that would fit...He is outside of the box in all matters...

If I had to choose... Energy. Like a charging port that keeps the Holy Spirit charged and Jesus' battery full.....

Everything.