Who/What created God?

Geez, Collin, sounds like you might have dismissed CunningRunt's, some others', entire life and reasons for existing. Good job!

 

My point is simply that others shouldn't dismiss religion simply because some people do use it as a crutch. It's fine to discuss them doing so independently of the question of "God's" existence, but their behavior is totally irrelevant to that particular issue.

 

So if someone created God, then that creator would be God.

Colossians 1:16-17

16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

The fact that you acknowledge some people using it as a crutch gives my point validity.

You cannot argue against the fact that religion is a search for meaning, be it Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or Hinduism. How do you narrow down which one is right? You can't. So it then becomes a question of why they exist independently of each other. The search for meaning becomes the only answer.

 

I understand there are differences between objective and subjective viewpoints. It's possible(and desirable?) for someone to have both, but some folks don't seem to distinguish the two.

 

I'm hesitant to respond since we're getting a little off track of the original post, but you've got a valid point, so I wanted to give you my perception on it (for whatever that's worth).

At least in my case (and I'm sure there are others like me) my faith isn't a search for meaning at all. Rob Bell says in his book Velvet Elvis (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Everybody follows someone. Be it historical figures, parents, celebrities, friends, we all develop our world view from others. Me, I follow Jesus." For me that's all that my faith is - I follow Jesus (or attempt to). Yes, I believe God is real, and yes, I believe Jesus is the embodiment of God in human form, but I believe that (and a lot of other things) because I'm just following what Jesus tells us to do. That's why I identify myself (as do a lot of others) as a "Christ follower" more than a "Christian" (although one could argue it's just a matter of symantics).

As far as the whole "crutch" thing goes... I'll admit I'm a weak person, and life is hard. Through life's hardships God has helped me - both passively (just by reading His word and applying his principles) and actively (when He's spoken to me and given me answers to my questions). If that's something you want to call a "crutch" then so be it, but it's something I'm happy and humbled to have - not something I'm ashamed of.

 

Atheism is also a crutch. The difference is those who believe want to be held to a higher standard while those who don't want to be excused for not.

 

Sure you can -- through research. That's what I did, and have done for the past decade.

 

That was awesome.