Atheists, what is a "god"?

Question

What is a god?

If there exists no evidence to support the existence of some entity that meets your definition of a god, does that rule out the existence of all gods or just those that meet your definition?

If your claims of nonexistence of gods is invalidated based upon faulty definitions, and therefore a faulty hypothesis, what do you do next, logically? Continuing believing according to your already prescribed beliefs contrary to your faulty logic, or rectify the situation and readdress your definition of what a god is?

Answer 1

Now, this is like asking the eunuch to tell you about the pleasure of s*x!?

How does one who doesn't have the necessary paraphernalia speak about it?

Of course, the rest would then be academic.

I think a more logical question would be "Theists, what is "God"?"

Well, all the best.

ST

Answer 2

I define it in the broadest and most general sense that basically covers what all you theists are generally describing your god as being: any intelligent, creative entities responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Universe.

Answer 3

Great question and interesting to see that barely a handful of Atheists attempted an answer and of those who did the definition is different.

Reverend Soleil..... your definition has two elements ...a creator and maintainer.

Can it be just one of these or does it have to be both ?

Answer 4

My definition would be: Usually someone or something which posses a level of power to the ultimate degree.

No, but so far it rules out the ones mentioned/made by humanity.

Then I come up with another hypothesis and test it. Until truth is found.

Answer 5

Here is my definition for god - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=def...

Here is my definition for gods - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=def...

Every god or gods meat those definitions so yes they are ruled out by definition.

Answer 6

a god needs to be all loving, all powerful and all knowing

unfortunately, the gods that have been written about possess these qualities, but contradict themselves

eg: war, if god was all knowing, he would also be all loving and stop it if he was all powerful - so at he cannot possess one of those qualities to make him a god

there is no proof of god, or proof of no god, atheism has become it's on religion in a way, an anti-belief

if you ask us to change our definition of god, it's like us asking you to re-write the bible a bit

Answer 7

I define a god as a being with powers such that allow him/her/it to supercede at least a portion of natural law.

That is the sort being that lacks evidence, and therefore a being for which I harbor no belief. It covers monotheism, polytheism, some forms of Animism, and Deism sufficiently; arguably, the list is longer than this, but things vary greatly between cultures.

Answer 8

1capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: as a: the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshiped as creator and ruler of the universe Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind

2: a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality

3: a person or thing of supreme value

4: a powerful ruler

I am a powerful ruler in my house, so I am God of my own universe

Answer 9

A god is a deity of some sort, that usually posses some form of "supernatural" power not observed in nature or defying the laws of the universe. There is no evidence that any such beings actually exist.

Answer 10

A mythical creature. Similar creatures include unicorns, dragons, etc.

Answer 11

well according to an atheist there is NO God. it does not mean they have a special definition and they go around hunting for what would fit their "god" criteria then worship it. they simply Do NOT believe in your so called "God"

Answer 12

tut tut, once you realise there are no gods you don't need to have a definition!

Answer 13

Atheists don't have faulty logic ever.

So there!

I'm Atheist!

Answer 14

To me, a god is any deity with higher powers.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Answer 15

It isn't about 'our' definition of 'god' but at any rate, below is the definition you requested:

God

1. the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.  

2. the Supreme Being considered with reference to a particular attribute: the God of Islam.  

3. (lowercase) one of several deities, esp. a male deity, presiding over some portion of worldly affairs.  

4. (often lowercase) a supreme being according to some particular conception: the god of mercy.  

5. Christian Science. the Supreme Being, understood as Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Principle.  

6. (lowercase) an image of a deity; an idol.  

7. (lowercase) any deified person or object.  

You see, it is not a matter of how atheists define 'god', it's more so the definition of those who beleive in them.  Basically, what we are referring to are supreme beings.

Answer 16

Logically it is up to the claimant to present both the definition of what they claim and the evidence for its existence.  Lack of belief in an undefined entity or entities that so far are not indicated by any shred of objective, empirical evidence is completely logical.  

Answer 17

Aren't you asking this question of the wrong people?  Shouldn't be asking god believers that?  And, BTW, looove your impartiality, double negatives and convoluted circular logic...

You poor misguided person, I guess you missed the ones where atheists explain how we don't believe in god or gods

Answer 18

How do we define something that does not exist?

Answer 19

A supernatural being with powers to control natural occurrences, usually. Some gods are said to have abilities up to and including omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. But, as they all have to be at the very least supernatural, none exist.

Answer 20

God is a reflection of a single humans fantasy of their ideal.

Answer 21

There exists no evidence to support the existence of any entity that meets any definition of God.  I simply don't hold a belief in something supernatural unless evidence is shown for its existence.  I am open to any definition of God that you can provide evidence for.

Answer 22

Or, there is no evidence of any entity we call god.  Therefore, the logical conclusion is these beings don't exist.  Until someone show evidence to the contrary, that is the only logical conclusion that can be drawn.

Edit:  I realize you aren't very bright, the person making the claim OF EXISTANCE must provide proof to be viewed and looked at.  Not the people claiming something doesn't exist when no one has shown proof.

Answer 23

People who believe in gods should not be discussing faulty logic. Such talk requires knowledge of what logic is and what it is used for. You do not seem to possess this knowledge.