Is there, or is it even possible for there to be, a concise, logical, clear and commonly-agreed upon definition of the concept of God?

[Snsl153]

No one can seem to give a definitive answer to this question. You'll come across people who will say things like, "God is spirit", "God is love", "God is the absolute, non-contingent, eternal reason for all being" and so on, but...

No, I'm not happy with those answers. God to me is an awfully amorphous concept, and if you repeat the word often enough in your mind it quickly becomes meaningless, a sound or mantra like "Om". Three letters strung together, meaning everything and nothing.

Does God exist? Is the question even meaningful to begin with? Somehow, I think we've been wasting our time trying to find God, and perhaps we should finally ditch the (non) concept. As someone whose name I cannot now recall once put it, "The search for God was the biggest wild-goose chase in all of human history".

[ohsheeT]

This is one of those questions where you're going to get all kind of weird opinions and answers we are all individuals and we all have our own beliefs different beliefs I'm not going to say I'm right or I'm wrong and I'm not going to say anybody else's right or wrong the only thing that I do know for sure is that when we were born we were given that gift of choice we get to choose who we want to be in life by the things that we say that we do and that we believe in morals values ethics that's who we choose to be because that's who we are no I believe in a lot of things I believe that we all have an energy within us that guides us that teaches us that warns us I believe that we are soul on on this Earth we might be many Souls because we did not learn what we're supposed to learn so we had to come back that is our soul if our body is our Temple it houses Something Beautiful that would be our soul our spirit and our energy when we die our body falls to the ground our Temple falls to the ground it gathers our soul our spirit because it is energy energy Never Dies it's a little ball of light and it gathers everything that we have said and done in this time that we've been here and it takes us into another dimension that's where we meet the Holy Spirit but see that's my choice to believe in this I do believe there's a God there are so many beautiful things everything is tied together as one we are all one we are made of water atoms atoms broke down equals energy energy Never Dies a planet two feet off the ground is an energy field that we walk through everyday everything around us is energy I believe we are all special people we live in the most beautiful place ever if you stop and look the things that we are all capable of doing or magical I would say that there is a God but that's my belief that's my choice and I believe we will all find out

[Ill_made_Knight]

John Lennon once said "God is a concept by which we measure our pain" I'm sure there is some truth to the point that when a person is at the end of their resources they need someplace to go with their mind that gives comfort.
God is faith that there is a greater good at work. Or it is assurance that there is something after.
I don't think there can be one definition of all of the beings /entities / faiths that this would encompass.
I do think it is a device used to comfort fears or uncertainty where there is no known or logical answer to a question...

[Ill_made_Knight]

Thanks for the MHO

[Marushka]

What god or a God is will heavily depend on whom you ask. Different religions have very different ideas. Even if we focus solely on the Abrahamic god there's different ideas of his nature. There's not going to be a common or logical definition as there's no way to proof who is right and who isn't in this question and there's a lot of ways to approach this question and people will bring in a lot of their own interpretations and perspectives into it. In the end this highly complex concept can mean anything a person wants and who's going to proof them they're wrong? Let's say we want to use biblical texts as main point for our definition. Even here we find many conflicting ideas. To quote biblical scholar Elizabeth Boase:

"Various voices within the text [Lamentations] speak of God, describing both God’s actions and God’s attributes. These descriptions give rise to various, and at times conflicting images: God is the violent destroyer of the city and her inhabitants; God is an absent God, whose presence is longed for; God is a God of steadfast love and mercy; God is the one in whom future hope lies."

People won't agree on a logical definition as there's no logical definition beyond a very vague one and even this might not encompass all the different views of people around cultures. (A) god is a devine being with supernatural attributes and often the recipient of worship.

The question might be relevant in the context of religion and how the followers of certain religions interpret god or gods, as well as in certain philosophical, historical and anthropological debates.

If the question is meaningful depends on if the individual asking it sees it as meaningful. Humans can't agree on less controversial topics so how could we ever expect them to agree on this one?

[BlueScorpio]

But that's what God is, He is a spirit. He is the great "I AM". You can't expect an answer if you're always going to dismiss them. It all comes down to faith, it's something a person must find on their own. God said if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. People make finding God way to complicated than it is, it's actually simple. Read the bible, the bible is God's word. Pray/speak to God and He will listen. Don't treat God like some magical genie that you only want to use for personal gains, when you only fall on hard times, or quickly dismiss the moment something isn't going your way. People think the second God doesn't respond to their prayer that He's not real or just doesn't care. That's not true, God does care but He also knows whats in everyone hearts. Sometimes silence from God is a test, it could also mean that your prayer is answered but you need to be paitent and wait on His timing to bless you. His timing is always perfect. And if it's not answered, you need to reflect on why God might have said no. Is your prayer sincere or is it out of vanity, is it evil? Is something God Himself doesn't stand for or glorify? These are all things people don't consider but need to when it comes to God and Christ Jesus.

[ChillaxingLove]

You are trying to define an infinite power, omnipotent God. Who this world hates. That created everything yet still some how we as human beings are able to do the impossible and say there is no God even though the proof is every where. What your asking is beyond what any person can fully describe in words. The little that we have to help describe someone who is indescribable or fully comprehensible in our finite brains, is the best we can do. Any further depth in understanding who God is requires personal relationship with him because words are not enough.

[mstbooblover]

No, I'm sorry to having to say that, but as far as I know people, the concept of God depends on many things and many levels of understanding. Whether there's a God of not seems a vain question to me. Let me try to explain my point of view.

For a religious person, faith is matter of... faith: no need to search an explanation, which anyway would depend on their level of philosophical understanding and the teachings of their leaders.

There is still a definition as I understand it that may help, as well for believers as non believers: let's call God everything we still can't explain that led from, and caused, the Big Bang till everything we're able to see, guess and are in our daily life.

[jshm2]

Doesn't matter if you're happy or whatever, God is God. It's not for the mortal mind to behold and comprehend the infinite.

It's why a computer will always beat a human at chess, but not at kickboxing.

You just need to grow up a little, kiddo.

[slatyb]

No, it's not. There's no physical evidence that God is real, so everyone is free to have their own idea of God. Is there a personal God, answering prayers and intervening in human affairs? Or maybe God was the prime mover but is not actively present in the world today.

[Anonymous]

No, I do not believe there is one agree upon definition.
One commonality you do see is, no matter which version of God you’re talking about, He always Loves me and Hates you. (Well, not necessarily hates you, but everything you do and say and stand for.)

[dustybiker]

People who come to realize they can’t control anything, it’s easier to keep functioning if they believe something else has control. If something has control and they gain their respect they might go easier on them.

[Adam1978]

It's wishful thinking, group delusional, and a way to blame life on an external force than take responsibility. It's also a way for priests to wield power over common people who doesn't use their heads. Trying to tailor them to their will.

[Paul_in_Indy]

If you think no one has a concise answer on the subject, you aren’t reading enough philosophy.

[NathanDavis]

god is actually around 9000 gods in total... that we have come up with

[headoncrash]

I think God represents many other Gods to many different religions and people

[NathanDavis]

@headoncrash which... of the 9000 though

[headoncrash]

I don't know lol

[Dargil]

G0d is the Creator and sustained of the universe.

[_Roc_]

God is pure energy.

İf you look at the universe, animals it's hard to say this is all art of nature. İt's not.

And gods had been spoken to us many time. Buy the tewrat bible and Quran

[TheoPfeifle]

God is beyond our comprehension. Of course no description is going to satisfy.

[jimmy2]

God created all. God sent his Son Jesus to die for all and to give all a chance of Salvation. God gives those who accept Him the Holy Spirit in US to lead, guide and comfort

[headoncrash]

“I'm the one. The Divine Being. Alpha and Omega. I'm God.”. ... God in Bruce Almighty.

[TroyDT]

Is, no. Possible, yes it is logically possible.

[Juxtapose]

You can literally Google it.

[Snsl153]

So Google is God. Okay. :)

[Juxtapose]

If that is the level of your reading comprehension skills I think you need to go back to grade school.

[SecretsofKB]

@Juxtapose I would Google the definition of a joke before resigning to insulting her.

[Snsl153]

@SecretsofKB Yes, it was a JOKE, even if a rather lame one. Sheesh, so many people here seem to have autism (and that's not a joke).

[Juxtapose]

@SecretsofKB hmm that's odd, from what I understood jokes are supposed to be funny and give some clear indication they are a joke.

[Juxtapose]

But no she is not joking I can tell.

[Juxtapose]

@snsl153 go ahead and tell me more about what you think of autistic people.

[SecretsofKB]

@Juxtapose @snsl153

Okay, so let's stop insulting each other right now.

@Juxtapose It was a joke, whether or not you got it. I got it. It was a joke.

@snsl153 Don't go slinging Autism around like an insult. That's very rude. It is the internet. It can be difficult to see a how when you're just reading words without any inflection from speech. No need to insult him either.

[Juxtapose]

She doesn't need you to protect her from me saying that I don't think her joke was funny and I don't need you to protect me from her telling me I'm autistic. I am literally autistic and I have heard it all, I don't give a fuck and I don't want my ass to be powdered by someone who's playing at being a mommy with snsl153 and I being your children. Her and I are adults and we can handle our own business.

[SecretsofKB]

Okay, but you said it wasn't a joke, but now you admit it was a joke? Even it it wasn't funny, it's still a joke.

You sir, need to lighten up bud lol.

[Juxtapose]

@SecretsofKB frankly I'm not sure if I trust what she said or not and I don't really care. I'm leaning on not trusting her but who the fuck really cares? It's just an internet argument.

[SecretsofKB]

@Juxtapose Cool, then you kind of solved your own problem. Stop insulting others and be on your way.

[Juxtapose]

@SecretsofKB I'll do whatever the fuck I want how about that?

[SecretsofKB]

@Juxtapose lol okay bud. Sure.

[Snsl153]

"... jokes are supposed to be funny..."
So you DO have autism! I knew it. Yes, jokes are supposed to be funny, but quite often they're not. It's the intent behind the words, the subtext, the context, and the spirit within which they're said, all things that people with autism just do not comprehend.
"But no, she is not joking, I can tell"
Actually, I WAS joking! Geez, some people here.

[Snsl153]

Hey, guess what bucko - I have Asperger's Syndrome, so don't you get on your high horse, and preach to me about what I think of people who have autism. Autism fucking SUCKS, and I know because I have that rotten, incurable mental illness!
Now get your whiny ass outta here, before I give you a good spanking! :P

[Juxtapose]

Thanks for the explanation @snsl153 that was actually pretty polite.

[Snsl153]

Damn, I didn't want to reveal that rather embarrassing fact about me, but since you were feeling sorry for yourself, playing the victim here, I felt I had to. Anyway, you can kiss my ass 'Juxtapose', because you're not getting any sympathy from me!

[Snsl153]

Yes, I'm always very polite.
Look, your comment that "you can literally Google it", was just stupid. Sure, of course you can look up the DICTIONARY DEFINITION of the term "God", but THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M AFTER HERE!

[Juxtapose]

I wasn't playing the victim, joke's on you because I'm into being degraded and being forced to kiss ass xD

[Juxtapose]

My comment thanking you was actually thanking you for the explanation comment you made before you posted another comment right after 2 minutes later where you proceeded to insult me.

All of this confirms to me that texting is a pretty shitty way to communicate but also a pretty funny way.

[SecretsofKB]

The irony here is killing me.

[Snsl153]

The definitions of God given in that Google image you posted here, are inadequate in my view. Sure, they represent two ways of seeing what we term "God", but if you'd read what I wrote above, you'd know that I made the point that many if not most people wouldn't accept the Google definition, and that is why I asked the question. Everyone it seems has a different interpretation, a different understanding, of the word "God". THAT is the point I'm making here.

[Juxtapose]

Well people are free to be wrong but the dictionary says what the dictionary says 🤷‍♂️ I would prefer to go by that over people's subjective opinions on what is objectively wild fantasy.

[Juxtapose]

There's a friend I know who thinks in the Garden of Eden black people were created by Adam fucking apes. Clearly people have very different views on religion and we should leave definitions to people who are knowledgeable in linguistics.

[Snsl153]

Dictionaries aren't always right though. You do know that don't you? People often use words that are not in agreement with whatever is said in the dictionary. I myself do not agree with the definition of God given within that image, because it's horribly simplistic.

[Juxtapose]

I don't agree with the definition of feminism either but that's why dictionaries should be charged rather than letting any random dude decide.

[Marushka]

On the topic of dictionary definitions. Some terms are to complex in their usage and understand to be explained by a simple dictionary definition. You could write whole books about the definitions of feminism or god, looking at contemporary ideas of individuals, the evolutions of ideas around those terms, the views on in from a specific period etc. You could even make a whole series of books about each of those two terms. That doesn't mean the dictionary is wrong but it's just not possible to encompass all that can be behind a simple term. Linguistic research shows that even simpler terms can have quite some interpretation. For example colours and the terms associated with them are less universal than some may think.¹ The same is true for other things.

1) Jonathan Brindle, Geda Paulsen, Mari Uusküla: Color Language and Color Categorization

[msc545]

probably there is no good answer to this question