DEBATE: Limited vs. Unlimited God

I guess.  Just isn't my type of 'discussion'.  Trying to make logical statements about the nature of something that, if real, is almost certainly beyond our ability to fathom (i.e., our 'logic' would seem a near useless explanatory instrument in this case).  Just seems a bit incoherent.

Not sure why you put 'discussion' in quotes nor your use of the word "logic".

I don't think anyone here would claim to know the mind of God. I let my own mind wander off on excursions of imagination but it would be far beyond hubris (to use your word again) to present my musing as anything approaching the truth. If this were a forum comprised of fundamentalists (religious or atheist) I suspect that we would get a lot of proclamation and very little discussion. As it is, we are here (I presume) to take part in discussions and to share ideas - even flights of imagination - as part of that discussion.

Again, I'm not sure what you mean by "incoherent". Speculation is, by definition, imprecise but I'm not sure it is synonymous with incoherence.

I guess.  Just isn't my type of 'discussion'.  Trying to make logical statements about the nature of something that, if real, is almost certainly beyond our ability to fathom (i.e., our 'logic' would seem a near useless explanatory instrument in this case).  Just seems a bit incoherent.

I can sort of sympathize. It's hard to see the exact practical value of discussing the nature of our supposed Creator if one isn't already pre-committed to either theism, philosophical arguments for their own sake, or perhaps showing that both Unlimited Classical Theist God and Personal God are too flawed to accept as real or if real they are not worthy of worship.

For me I think of it as a kind of mental work out to think through ideas that people often accept uncritically, whether that's the lack of God or a particular kind of God. I myself think there is a Limited God, though what this means exactly is unclear even to me so I find the discussions of interest.

For me I think of it as a kind of mental work out to think through ideas that people often accept uncritically, whether that's the lack of God or a particular kind of God. I myself think there is a Limited God, though what this means exactly is unclear even to me so I find the discussions of interest.

For me, that mental work is all important. I think that our mental reasoning leading to beliefs - or, at least, worldviews - actively shapes the kind of lives we lead. If we explore the nature of reality we begin to live our lives accordingly. @Silence used the word "logic" and, on reflection, that might indeed be the operative word here. I find it logically satisfying to believe we are what God is - not separate entities. That the real creative force is love. That there is no authoritarian personality on high demanding worship and sacrifice. I do believe that my life is better lived according to that logic.

By comparison, I do find the atheist view to be nihilistic and depressing. I just could not live my life that way. Likewise, I find organised religion to be oppressive in terms of fear, guilt and blame - constantly emphasising sin and subservience. I just could not live my life that way either.

Likewise, I find organised religion to be oppressive in terms of fear, guilt and blame - constantly emphasising sin and subservience. I just could not live my life that way either.

Yeah me too.  Thankfully christianity is about unconditional forgiveness upon repentance, not guilt.  Jesus took the blame for us so that we don't have to.

Yeah me too.  Thankfully christianity is about unconditional forgiveness upon repentance, not guilt.  Jesus took the blame for us so that we don't have to.

Not sure whether you are being sarcastic here, Brian. You are still emphasising sin and blame which is exactly what organised religion does.

And how can forgiveness be unconditional when it is conditional upon repentance? 

Sorry - I don't normally get into debates with religious people so I'll leave it at that.