Mother Nature a scapegoat for God?

[edro]

A coworker and I were discussing Mother Nature and he brought up an interesting point.

Often times, people will denounce Mother Nature for the weather.

Do they do this simply because they are afraid of denouncing God?

Mother Nature = God, correct?

 

[Leros]

Mother Nature and the Christian God are incompatible ideas. Christians do not believe in a female earth deity.

However Wikipedia does say

Later medieval Christian thinkers did not see nature as inclusive of everything, but thought that she was created by God, her place lay on earth, below the heavens and moon. Nature lay somewhere in the middle, with agents above her (angels) and below her (daemons and hell). For the medieval mind she was only a personification, not a goddess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Nature

So in this case, Mother Nature would be God.

 

[Canai]

Natural disasters are often termed as 'Acts of God'

 

[destrekor]

NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

 

[RESmonkey]

Originally posted by: Canai
Natural disasters are often termed as 'Acts of God'

Funny you mentined; insurance companies always mention that as not a liable cause for coverage exceptions.

Even funnier, I saw on my OfficeMax product warranty (the one that covers less than $300 items), that it can not be replaced under "...attack from foreign nations, ...., and acts of god,..."

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey

Originally posted by: Canai
Natural disasters are often termed as 'Acts of God'

Funny you mentined; insurance companies always mention that as not a liable cause for coverage exceptions.

Even funnier, I saw on my OfficeMax product warranty (the one that covers less than $300 items), that it can not be replaced under "...attack from foreign nations, ...., and acts of god,..."

bill that up to the same reason we have so many damned warning labels... in the past people tried to do these things under those reasonings, and OfficeMax had no legal definition to refer to so that they could refute the idiotic claim? Or simply saw it fit to prevent that from happening in the first place and covered all grounds. Again, because we all know how society is with these things.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

that is really interesting... anywhere I can read up on this? (not accusing you of lying, just really interested)

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

that is really interesting... anywhere I can read up on this? (not accusing you of lying, just really interested)

famous Einstein quote and discussion

it appears I remembered his stuff a little wrong, and that site may also have a bit of bias in of itself to prove Einstein believed in some kind of god.

hmm, this site is a little more revealing of the truth it seems.
I think I mixed up Hawking with Einstein, but only a little. Hawking seems to be a true Pantheist, and Einstein appears as either a Deist or Pantheist. Both are basically atheists as far as religion is concerned, and pantheists really don't even believe in deity, but rather as I stated before, the natural laws of the known universe. Deists simply believe in the idea that life as we know it is basically god-free, but that something started the chain reaction that got us here (beginning of the universe).

I personally subscribe to pantheist beliefs, that the universe deserves our awe. But I stand firmly as an atheist, as I don't want to talk about a 'god' and be confused as to what I mean, much as Einstein and Hawking have experienced.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

That's it exactly, as this quote unambiguously demonstrates:

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

That's it exactly, as this quote unambiguously demonstrates:

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

Someone needs to tell this to the History Channel. Their documentary on Einstein clearly states that even on his deathbed Einstein was concerned about reconciling his discoveries with his Christian beliefs.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

That's it exactly, as this quote unambiguously demonstrates:

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

if you read my links though, it appears as it he does not necessarily disbelieve in a god that created the universe. but if he thought one existed, it was one that only started the universe and left everything else up to the natural laws that developed.

 

[BoomerD]

The "God" of myth and mythology including the current one is thought to control everything including the lives of the humans who inhabit the earth.

Mother Nature is the mythical being that controls the cycles of nature, weather, growth seasons, biological cycles, etc.

While neither one is palatable for me, Mother Nature is more so than an "all-encompassing god" that controls everything, has the power to create and destroy, demands our worship, yet doesn't compel us to do so. (the whole free will thing)

Mother Nature doesn't demand worship, just that you live by "her" laws.

 

[DangerAardvark]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

I have no idea. I don't really know a thing about Einstein's personal philosophies.
But it is entirely possible he once believed in a deity, his understanding of the universe dawned on him, and maybe reconciled those differences by changing WHAT he thought God was, and not abandoning God entirely? So... instead of God being a living breathing entity, maybe it became a way (for him) to understand the mysterious nature of the Universe.

That's it exactly, as this quote unambiguously demonstrates:

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

if you read my links though, it appears as it he does not necessarily disbelieve in a god that created the universe. but if he thought one existed, it was one that only started the universe and left everything else up to the natural laws that developed.

I didn't deny that. He was probably a Deist.

Originally posted by: Leros
Someone needs to tell this to the History Channel. Their documentary on Einstein clearly states that even on his deathbed Einstein was concerned about reconciling his discoveries with his Christian beliefs.

They certainly do, especially since Einstein was raised Jewish.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

Not this nonsense again. Einstein was an atheist.

 

[Baked]

Earth!

 

[Jeff7]

Hey destrekor, WTH? Where's your little symbol whatever thing?

My world is falling apart now. 🙁

§

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: destrekor
NO!

mother nature is NOT a deity. Some may see it as such in some religions, but stating 'mother nature killed thousands today' or something akin to that is simply a way of stating "natural forces out of our control took the lives of many".
NOW, some enlightened individuals today are now believing that Einstein did not believe in God, but when he used the term God and talked about it, he was using God as a way to encapsulate all of the natural laws of the universe into a singular entity... not a deity.

I thought Einstein was very troubled with not being able to reconcile his discoveries about the universe with his religious beliefs.

Not this nonsense again. Einstein was an atheist.

Einstein was agnostic. But, he didn't believe in a God. He believed in a higher force that governs every aspect of physics and science. This would now be known as the TOE, theory of everything.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: Leros
Mother Nature and the Christian God are incompatible ideas. Christians do not believe in a female earth deity.

+1

Most people, however, just cheerfully live their lives while ignoring the cognitive dissonance.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: Leros
Mother Nature and the Christian God are incompatible ideas. Christians do not believe in a female earth deity.

+1

Most people, however, just cheerfully live their lives while ignoring the cognitive dissonance.

Doublethink at work. 🙂

 

[Kirby]

I swear you can't have a religious discussion without Einstein. It seems people base there belief or lack of belief on another person's opinion just because he was smarter than them.

 

[Enig101]

Why shouldn't we blame God for natural disasters and the ensuing chaos, famine and suffering? He created the Earth, including it's weather systems.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Enig101
Why shouldn't we blame God for natural disasters and the ensuing chaos, famine and suffering? He created the Earth, including it's weather systems.

I'm pretty sure He created AIDS too.

 

[Enig101]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: Enig101
Why shouldn't we blame God for natural disasters and the ensuing chaos, famine and suffering? He created the Earth, including it's weather systems.

I'm pretty sure He created AIDS too.

Oh indeed, along with other viruses and bacteria (thanks for that Ebola, that is a real treat, and the Bubonic Plague.. I'm sure that we deserved it, right?). Also the large variety of parasitic organisms which cause pain and illness to humans as well as animals, in places without proper health care. Health care which, I hasten to add, has been developed by science.