A Conversation for Who is Lord of the Universe - ?

God, and other small matters...

Post 1

Fraggle

As an atheist, you probably will find me the least useful person to reply to your post, but I find the way organised religions describe God is too anthropomorphic. Even Islam, which forbids any depiction of Allah, gives God human traits.

The best idea for me is the Hindu concept of Brahman: not male, not female, with no qualities other than infinity, totally transcendent and thoroughly disinterested in us. The Aspects and Avatars of Brahman (such as the Trimrti of Siva, Visnu and Brahma) help make God a little more relevant to human experience, but essentially we are all part of God. The concept of Atman also ties us to God, as we are the vessels for this eternal essence. If you tie it up with cosmology (always good for a laugh - religion and cosmology...), it is very similar to the idea that all matter is comprised of the same fundamental stuff (we are all made of stars, etc) and that matter transmutes into different forms.

Even though I am an atheist, I find this idea of being intrinsically connected to the Universe very appealing. I guess for me, Brahman is the universe and everything in it.

Any use?

Good luck with the research, etc. Any queries, please get in touch. Trust me, I'm an RS teacher!

Cheers,
Fraggle


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God, and other small matters...

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