God can do everything.... right?
By madsencarl
@madsencarl (62)
Australia
April 3, 2007 7:29pm CST
I was doing a bit of thinking myself (I'm an atheist), and that got me wondering:
If God can do everything, then he would have to be able to create a boulder that he himself cannot lift. But, at the same time, he'd have to be able to lift it. Which he cannot. Or can he?
On another point, why hasn't god enlightened, say, small tribes in Peru (who believe in non-bible gods)? Are they not worth being "enlightened"?
2 people like this
6 responses
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
7 Apr 07
One of the basic and still unresolved problems (for many) of humans is that they try to anthropomorphize the GOD. They try to personify The GOD just as humans, attributing to him human traits, features and concepts. As for the question, have you noticed that we seldom bother to think that majority of human concepts are relative and not absolute. We seldom think that the concepts of weight, time, space, energy, heat, power, production and reproduction and similarly all other physical aspects are nothing but human concepts and that too relative (not absolute) and defined in a perticular frame of reference. Newtonian physics while being excellent in inertial frame is not applicable (or even accpetable) to non inertial frames of reference. In non inertial frames Newtonian physics has no value at all. Similarly our definition of time doesn't apply to even other creatures in this very physical world (in the same inertial frame of earth), a fly has different time framing and time scaling than humans though being simultaneously present. Same is the case with many other creatures living simulateously with human species.
So i am sorry but your question is based on faulty assumption of similarity of concept of weight between humans and the GOD. These physical aspects and phenomenon are just human and have nothing to do with the GOD. For GOD nothing got weight, however mammoth or gigantic it might be. I have only given the scientific (and not religious, as i myself don't strictly adhere to certain religious doctrines)explanation of the fault, present in your question as i can see that you are atheist, with which i have no problem at all, you are free to believe whatever goes well with your acceptable and logical frame of mind. My only reason to reply is not to prove anything, one way or the other but to tell you that scientifically your question is faulty as well as paradoxical.
No disrepect intended and if you have felt any, that might be because of my weakness in english writing, but still please forgive me for that. If you want to continue the philosophical discussion in detail, we can go on privately or on this same forum, whatever suits you. I enjoyed replying to your post. best of luck in your life.
3 people like this
@vijigopi (991)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Is your question only for the people who believe in biblical god? There are so many religions other than Christianity who don't believe in the type of God that the Bible says. I would like to know what you think is the idea of God before answering your question. If your basic idea of God itself is wrong, then there is no answer for your question. I don't quite understand your question, you want God to create a boulder that he himself cannot lift? and you ask if he can lift it.... paradoxical question...What is your idea of God.... some superman or what... ?
Coming to your second point, how did you have the idea that God has not enlightened people in small tribes in Peru... how do you know he hasn't? For all you know, there might be more enlightened beings there than where you live.
1 person likes this
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
4 Apr 07
My question to all those religious fanatics is If god is truly omnipotent and able to do anything, then why the hell doesn't he just do something, already? They keep saying god preforms miracles and answers prayers, but everything they state that god did is just ordinary life. one woman said Oh, I pray every night that my husband gets home safely, and god directs him home. Gee, does the guy not know how to drive? or is he blind? Or I finally won at bingo after playing for 2 years its a miracle. No, that's just the odds. You have to win eventually!
But the rock thing. that's just stupid. ok?
1 person likes this
@ReyM21 (281)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
Nothing is impossible to God. But God is not dumb to create a boulder for Him to lift... what for? God is the origin of all the wisdom of this universe. It is stated in 1 Corinthians 3:19 that "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." and in Job 12:13- "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His."
@biznizman01 (581)
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
I don't see any purpose for the question.
God is a highly intelligent being. Why create something without purpose. A boulder that He cannot lift? It doesn't make any sense. I myself won't make anything without any use.
As to the tribe of Peru, God has already made a way of reaching them. There are groups in Christians circles called New Tribe Mission. This people go to the indigenous tribes all over the world to preach the gospel.
@stravagante (37)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
7 Apr 07
I have an answer to your first question. In universe you CAN lift anything, even if it is greatest boulder, because there IS NO gravity and it wouldn't have any weight!!!
1 person likes this