I can see how god created the universe. Set the laws of nature, etc....What I can't see, is him/her "getting involved in our affairs."

To me, if your omnipotent enough to create this great place, why would you be surprised by our actions?

A reason I believe in a God. I love the "Universe" on Nat Geo/History channel (i get them confused). The big bang makes no sense. Where did all that energy come from?

Also, I went to a Baptist college. They make you take a few religion courses.. Which were awesome. Had a great professor. Basically he just tried to give some historical context to the bible. For instance, even though this guy was a baptist minister (my professor) he had no problem teaching that the christian/jewish version of the devil came from Persia when some jews adopted that from Zoroastrianism when some were slaves there. In fact, before then, and even now, it is my understanding many jews don't believe in an after life. From my understanding, Judaism doesn't teach an after life, but heaven and hell do exist - on earth, and we have the opportunity to experience both.

It was a baptist college - and this was 5 years ago - we didn't study too much on Judaism, but we did touch on a few things that escape me now.

IDK........The idea that God is Dead or is, in my mind, just enough NOT to interfere with our daily lives makes me happy. I don't want a God fretting over every little thing - that would suck. Also, I don't want an afterlife.....IDK - when you go to church as kid - they use forever alot. A truly merciful god, would let me rest. And not dole out billions and trillions of years of punishment on my soul for what I did here for a few decades.

I believe that a just God is omnipotent and just enough to set the rules, and let it ride.

So, I don't know if God is alive or dead.......and judging from the way things work down here...........he couldn't care less. And that is something I am truly thankful for.

........deep

Well if the big bang makes no sense to you, I dont understand how the idea of an omnipotent being can make anymore. If there really is a god, that should be more perplexing and incomprehendable than any other mystery of the universe.

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If god dropped acid, would he see people?

Hi- the big bang makes perfect sense if there is a catalyst behind it all (ie God). The big bang makes no sense without God (like you said, where did the energy/ matter come from). Sorry I am not a Deist, but I am a different kind of Christian. You're on the right track- just read lots of books and consider lots of ideas from every angle.

I don't know how much or how little God gets involved in our affairs- but if you believe in him then you'll want him involved sometimes. At least... you'll want to hear something from him in some way.

I would hate for God to be dead- because I believe God embodies goodness, love, peace, and absolutely every good thing that exists. I don't want those things to be dead. God doesn't fret over all our insignificant decisions. He just wants to hear us call his name once in awhile- the way a father wants to hear his children's voices but doesn't necessarily want to hear them jabbering endlessly for hours on end.

If I were you, I'd step away from your Baptist upbringing and read something like 'A New Kind of Christian' or 'Generous Orthodoxy' by Brian McLaren. You'll see everything in a new light. McLaren "used to be a Baptist", like many of us, and examines theological issues in light of our current and historical societal contexts.