Chapter 1: The Nature of God

In my previous theological explorations, I frequently encountered the assertion, "There is only one God," echoed in various discussions. When I probed further, asking individuals how they reached that conclusion, the responses often fell flat, ranging from silence to vague references to sacred texts.

So, let’s delve into this topic, shall we? Can the existence of a singular deity be substantiated?

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Typically, arguments asserting the existence of a deity suggest that only a divine being could craft the intricate balance of our universe, or create the complexities of human life. However, this line of reasoning naturally leads us to essential questions:

• Who is the creator of God?
• What constitutes God's essence?
• Where did God originate?
• When did God come into being?

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If we consider that something as intricate as humanity could only originate from a divine source, then it stands to reason that something as unfathomably complex as God could not simply exist without a cause. If a non-conscious process could birth a deity, then it follows that humanity could similarly arise from such a process.

This cyclical reasoning fails to address fundamental questions about our universe. To escape this loop, we might need to posit a higher order of deities—beings that have the ability to create other gods. Wouldn't that imply the existence of multiple divine entities? Alternatively, we could entertain the idea of mortals attaining divinity, suggesting a multiplicity of gods in existence.

Yet, the issue is not as straightforward as it may seem.

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Consider our current efforts in technology. We are on the brink of developing autonomous robots meant to terraform planets and prepare them for human habitation. In a century or two, we might produce countless such machines. This prompts a crucial question: What defines a god? If a creator is merely someone who brings life into existence, then could a machine—or even a human—qualify as a deity? Would anyone worship a machine, even if it turned out to be the source of our creation?

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What if we were to become immortal, possessing complete dominion over a natural element? Would we then deem ourselves gods? Imagine having the power to command fire to not only burn but also to become sentient. You could manifest from any flame and perceive everything occurring within your domain. If that were the case, would you see yourself as a deity? If so, your definition of godhood expands to encompass being immortal, omnipresent, and omniscient within your realm—without needing to create life or demand worship.

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Under this perspective, the concept of a singular deity becomes problematic. If you can imagine at least one such powerful individual for each planet, then the existence of multiple gods becomes a logical conclusion. Conversely, if creation is a necessary trait for divinity, the parameters shift depending on the scale of creation.

Are we discussing the creation of life? Then each planet could host its own gods. Are we talking about the universe's origin? That could imply at least one creator per universe.

However, this leads us to a phenomenon I like to call "Scale Creep." The larger we envision the creator deity, the smaller our own significance appears.

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When considering the Abrahamic God as depicted in religious texts, it becomes evident that the miracles attributed to him may seem remarkable on a human level but are trivial on a cosmic scale. Events like parting the sea or causing a global flood are impressive in a terrestrial context but insignificant in the grander scheme of existence.

The definitions we apply in theology often falter under scrutiny. When we grasp the vastness of the cosmos, phrases like "creator of the world" lose their weight, as they imply oversight of numerous worlds, each with their own complexities.

While some scholars propose that God is the architect of the multiverse, this notion lacks scriptural support. Most divine actions described in sacred texts are limited to planetary-level events. For instance, while raising a few individuals from the dead may seem profound, it pales in comparison to resurrecting a whole planet and its inhabitants, as depicted in various works of fiction.

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Despite claims from scholars that God is the creator of the multiverse, scripture does not support such grandiosity. Miracles often appear small in comparison to what an omnipotent being could achieve. The biblical God seems unable to perform even the simplest tasks that a mortal could accomplish. While He can send messages, He often does so privately, and His creations are riddled with flaws, as evidenced by human ailments.

Take our wisdom teeth, for example, which frequently emerge incorrectly, causing pain and complications. Or consider the appendix, often leading to serious health issues. If a deity existed with the power to design us, why are these flaws present?

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If the Bible is intended to guide humanity toward flourishing, one would expect it to contain practical wisdom—such as how to purify water or create basic medicine. Yet, it lacks such guidance, casting doubt on the benevolence of its purported author.

Often, we fail to see the broader context of our analogies for divinity. The primary argument for a singular all-powerful creator rests on the improbability of a universe existing by chance—a notion akin to winning at a roulette table and believing oneself special. Yet, we overlook the manipulation and random outcomes at other tables.

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Both assertions can coexist: worlds may emerge independently while creator gods exist. In essence, if something exists, it implies the presence of multiple instances of it.

The concept that all religions converge toward a singular God is also flawed. Across the globe, diverse faiths coexist, with many cultures venerating multiple deities. Archaeological evidence suggests that polytheism has been present for over 40,000 years.

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While the Abrahamic faiths present a singular God, their roots intertwine with pagan traditions, a topic for another discussion. These religions have sparked conflict over the centuries, despite the coexistence of multiple gods in ancient societies like Greece and Egypt, which engaged in trade without religious wars.

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When discussing a creator, we must specify the scale: Are we referring to the universe, solar system, planet, or life itself? Each creation event operates on distinct levels, and the creator of one may not be aware of the others due to the limitations imposed by natural laws.

Even a deity would be bound by the rules governing their creation, unable to breach the laws of nature without consequence. For instance, if they were to suspend the laws of electromagnetism, the universe would collapse.

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Thus, if gods exist on such a grand scale, they would likely remain oblivious to us, much like we are to them. The notion that a singular, all-knowing God governs a vast universe seems implausible, suggesting instead that multiple deities might exist.

Ultimately, the idea of a unique, singular God lacks justification. Nature itself offers no examples of singularity, as even humans consist of common elements found throughout the cosmos.

Periodic Table of Elements Chart

Our planet, too, is one among countless others capable of supporting life. We’ve discovered several potentially habitable exoplanets, challenging the notion of Earth's uniqueness. The universe is teeming with stars—estimates suggest there are more stars than grains of sand on Earth.

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In fact, if we were to assign a star to everyone who has ever lived or will live, there would still be plenty left over—indicating an almost infinite quantity.

As we ponder the possibility of a multiverse, it becomes increasingly evident that our universe is likely one of many. The only truly unique artifacts we possess are those crafted by humanity, yet even they tend to have replicas or imitations.

In a cosmos where uniqueness is a rarity, the justification for a singular deity becomes tenuous at best. In conclusion, believers in monotheistic religions rarely articulate this fundamental truth: there exists no compelling reason to uphold the idea of a single God.

In this thought-provoking video titled "How can we prove that there is only one God?", various perspectives on monotheism are explored, providing insight into the complexities of this belief system.

Another insightful video, "How Can One God Be Three Persons?", delves into the theological intricacies of the Trinity, offering a fresh perspective on the nature of divinity.