Theos-Talk Archives (July 1998 Message tt00210)

Jake wrote:

>        What I wonder.... is whether people have asked
>themselves, and what is the reason that there is this
>powerful drive in people to believe in a Personal God. It is
>such a freedom not to have to rationalize and support the
>idea.

I agree, it is a "freedom" not to have to support the idea of a "personal God."

I think the idea of a personal God has behind it the same rationale as the
concept of a "Devil."  These concepts provide opportunities for Someone to
"blame," Someone to "talk" to, Someone to "intercede" on a human's behalf,
and a way of making sense of the world.

To do away with concepts of "personal Gods and other Beings" is to have to
take complete and full responsibility for what one does - that can, and is,
a very frightening thing.  Some individuals, I believe, do not yet have the
"self-confidence" to cope with such "independence."

I do not believe there is a real danger in believing in a personal God if it
helps a person handle daily life - the danger comes with the attributes each
person or society decides to give this personal God.  We then become
entangled in wars of my "Personal God" is bigger and badder than your
"Personal God."  Or, the "Devil tempted me - it's not my fault."

The adage "Know a person's God, and you will know the person" is a truism.

Bottom line:  Human psychology is a fruitful ground for concepts like a
"personal God."  The concept of a "personal God" also helps keep people like
"Church Fathers" or "prophets" in control and the misguided and frightened
peoples in line.  Classic, really.

>It is like a pet dog I know of, for analogy purposes.
>It has been chained all its life and will not leave the length
>of its chain when it is even unhooked.

Are you referring to a real dog here?  "Analogy purposes" make this unclear.
If so, I suggest you immediately contact the Humane Society.  This is
blatant cruelty to animals and must not be tolerated.  And a firm tongue
lashing of the dog's guardians is in order.


Kym