Who was God?

[T0M]

I just found this paragraph at Wikipedia just to support my theory:
"The word mythology (from the Greek mythología, from mythologein to relate myths, from mythos, meaning a narrative, and logos, meaning speech or argument) literally means the (oral) retelling of myths – stories that a particular culture believes to be true and that use the supernatural to interpret natural events and to explain the nature of the universe and humanity"

Who was God?

My Theory

Humans believed in many Gods. Most of them are no longer considered as Gods today, but as human myths.
So, who was God is my question, as my theory says I know who were most of these no longer considered Gods.
And I find it very simple, so I will just name a few:

Bacchus (also known as Dyonisus or Dyonisos) God of wine in Greek and Roman Mythology:
Bacchus was a regular guy like you and me who created wine. People told each other about that, and with thousands of years of tellings and exaggerations (it's in human nature), he became a God.

Poseidon (also known as Neptune) God of the Sea in Greek, Roman, and Etruscan mythology:
Poseidon was a regular guy like you and me who dominated the Sea in some way. Like probably being the first human in travelling by sea over a tree or something. Thus understanding how to dominate it, and of course by teaching it to others. Thousands of years of telling every time more exaggerated stories about him, made him a God.

Jesus (also known as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth) Son of God in Christian mythology:
Jesus was a regular guy like you and me who tried to teach about respect for each individual. He was probably treated like the son of God since he was born, for that made him believe it, and therefore be what he was, and convince the way he did. Two thousand years later, the bible still doesn't leave room for more exaggerations, so he's the Son of God.

So... Who was God?

God (also known as Jehova, Allah, and many others) Only God in Monotheistic mythologies:
God was a regular guy like you and me who used to teach other homosapiens how to be "humans". Most probably God and Allah (or others) were not the same guy, but they did very similar things. Thousands and thousands and thousands of years later, they were so important to humanity, their stories prevail, but we don't even know were they came from (their parent's).

Of course many of these "Gods" were old men with gray (or white) hair and long beards. And of course we (everybody, also Jesus, who didn't almost lie) are descendants of God, "sons" of God. If he (any) had children.

So... Who was God?
A great human being.

T0M

[cwes99_03]

Man, I don't even know how to respond to that.
Have you ever read the Bible, or studied religion. Do you know that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all proclaim to worship the same god? Do you know what the words allah, elohim, adonai, etc. mean in their respective tongues?

[Boerseun]

Good post, TOM - and I think for the biggest part you're right on the money.

Mythology is, like you said, the exaggeration of pretty normal stories about pretty normal guys over generations of erroneous retelling. And the Bible and Koran and similar documents are just the longest-lasting examples of such.

Who was God?

I think 'God' was a fictitious personality right from the start, from people who looked around the natural world (and their own existence) and craved explanations. In an uneducated and superstitious world such as the world was a few thousand years ago, supernatural explanations for everyday things would suffice. And along with a supernatural being who has the power to create everything, comes power: He's also got the power to destroy everything. Therefore, moral authority as dished out by the prophets of the day came to be. And the penalty is severe: You'll burn for eternity after your death if you don't play by the rules. There's not much you can do about challenging that specific idea, is there?

Hence, the belief in God perpetuated over the years, based upon this fear of burning in hell. Up till this very day. Religion in itself, in my personal view, is a very interesting relic of our superstitious, ignorant past, that's passed the test of time for thousands of years because the prophets in the old days stumbled accross a marketing strategy that cannot be challenged. Other religions might have faded away, because their moral arguments aren't quite as compelling. Up till today, 'Fire and Brimstone' Televangelists make billions by exploiting a business method perfected thousands of years ago: Gimme you money or you'll burn in hell - after your death, for ever...

Ever wondered why this omnipotent being seems to alway run out of pocket change on Sundays?

[hallenrm]

I think that God was and is a concept http://en-wikipedia.org/concept, an idealization created to help human beings at the time of distress, to explain phenomena that cannot be explained by science. All the rest is a myth, created to deceive the gullible.

[insight]

Welcome hallenrm

There is NO anyone above us. We should spend our time valuable instead of looking for who the Big Guy is.

[T0M]

Originally Posted by insight

Welcome hallenrm
There is NO anyone above us. We should spend our time valuable instead of looking for who the Big Guy is.

You don't seem to have understood the thread for there's no wondering about who the "Big Guy" IS, but WAS.

T0M

[T0M]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

Religion... ... is a very interesting relic of our superstitious, ignorant past, that's passed the test of time for thousands of years because the prophets in the old days stumbled accross a marketing strategy that cannot be challenged.

That's an amazing phrase. It deserves (and needs) to be read several times to be fully understood.

Originally Posted by Boerseun

Ever wondered why this omnipotent being seems to always run out of pocket change on Sundays?

LOL Let's not mix mythology with church! These "God" stories were continued by caring people, and real believers. Church is just the bussiness some assholes saw to do with. And they steal SO MUCH that I'm sure that if I just had my parents telling me about God, I was still believing today.
So, Church plays against itself.

And by the way, Santa is a mistake. I started on doubting about God the very same day I realized that Santa was a lie.
Where's my rocket, Santa???
Again, Santa was a great guy who use to do just what they say he does, somewhere, in a small village.
I love this image, I loved it from the first time I saw it!

I saw this and I said: "Finally!! take that you MF!

T0M

[C1ay]

Originally Posted by T0M

And by the way, Santa is a mistake.

Why? Does he more harm than good?

[T0M]

Originally Posted by C1ay

Why? Does he more harm than good?

Of course. He does a great good some years and then he destroys it. Suddenly.

T0M

[cwes99_03]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

Hence, the belief in God perpetuated over the years, based upon this fear of burning in hell. Up till this very day. Religion in itself, in my personal view, is a very interesting relic of our superstitious, ignorant past, that's passed the test of time for thousands of years because the prophets in the old days stumbled accross a marketing strategy that cannot be challenged. Other religions might have faded away, because their moral arguments aren't quite as compelling. Up till today, 'Fire and Brimstone' Televangelists make billions by exploiting a business method perfected thousands of years ago: Gimme you money or you'll burn in hell - after your death, for ever...

Ever wondered why this omnipotent being seems to alway run out of pocket change on Sundays?

Originally Posted by TOM

Church is just the bussiness some assholes saw to do with. And they steal SO MUCH that I'm sure that if I just had my parents telling me about God, I was still believing today.
So, Church plays against itself.

See this is where you all make your mistake. That is to take a few examples and give up. The truth is you never stop searching for the truth in science just because people back then made some major mistakes. If Einstein were ever proven wrong in his GR and SR theories you would go on to believe that everything can be explained. Millions of people make billions of dollars every year by stealing ideas of others and turning them into moneymakers. Does that mean technology is evil and everyone should stop using it (bye bye hypography when no one uses a computer again.)

Hence, the belief in God perpetuated over the years, based upon this fear of burning in hell. Up till this very day. Religion in itself, in my personal view, is a very interesting relic of our superstitious, ignorant past, that's passed the test of time for thousands of years because the prophets in the old days stumbled accross a marketing strategy that cannot be challenged.

Hey you said it. It can't be challenged, so why do you persist.
If you really believe this then why is it that so many challenge it and have challenged it throughout the millenia?
How also do you explain prophecy of the Bible? Were these incredibly specific and accurate foretellings of future events just a dart throw in the dark. Those guys must have been really good because they hit the bulls-eye every time so far (as far as the Bible is concerned.)
I can't speak for the other religions, and leave that up to other members who are of those faiths.

About the only thing you've said so far that I agree with is that God (YWHW) wasn't a human. Of course, Jesus was a human. Many people think the Bible says Jesus is the one and same being.