What I Require from God
Here is some more wisdom stolen adapted from Apathetic Agnostics.
“Believers” like to tell us what their particular deity requires of us. Here is what I require from God.
- If God needs to me to believe, then I need clear and convincing evidence of God’s existence.
- If God needs me to follow one particular version of the thousands of variations of deity worship in the world, then I need clear direction from God which one is right.
- If God needs me to follow specific rituals, then I need clear direction from God which rituals and how they should be followed.
- If God needs me to follow a specific moral code, then I need that moral code spelled out in clear and unambiguous terms (i.e. is it really an abomination to eat shrimp?).
- If God intends to reward or punish me in an afterlife based on my beliefs and/or actions in this life, then I need clear and convincing evidence of that afterlife and of the range of rewards and punishments.
I don’t think this is an unreasonable list. I may be wrong. It’s never stopped me before.