(November 8, 2013 at 9:26 pm)Faith No More Wrote: No, when I say that it's hard for me to swallow that a deity would be concerned with such desires, it isn't due to personal credulity, just like my inability to swallow someone's claim that they were golfing on Mars with Elvis Presley. The human need for praise is due our emotional needs and desire to be accepted by our peers. It's the human attempt to find a place and a purpose in this universe. A god has no such needs and limitations. That is why it is hard to believe.

A desire isn't necessarily based on a need. This is a common faulty argument. That god does something or wants something doesn't necessarily mean that ne needs it.

God desires without need? Um... at the risk of sounding facetious, isn't that greed?

(November 9, 2013 at 9:23 am)Optimistic Mysanthrope Wrote: God desires without need? Um... at the risk of sounding facetious, isn't that greed?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/greed?s=t
excessive or rapacious desire, especially for wealth or possessions.

I'd say no. OTOH, if you think it fits the definition of greed, then most all of us are greedy.

I'd have thought that wanting praise from every human that has ever, and will ever live would easily fall under the definition of excessive desire.

(November 9, 2013 at 9:13 am)John V Wrote: A desire isn't necessarily based on a need. This is a common faulty argument. That god does something or wants something doesn't necessarily mean that ne needs it.

Without referencing god, can you name a desire that isn't based on need? Needs are the very foundation of desires. If I desire money, it is to buy material things, and those material things fill an emotional hole in my psyche. It is the need to fill that emotional hole that feeds my desire. We don't desire something unless we gain something from it, and we don't gain anything from that something unless it fills a need. Therefore, god must be fulfilling some need with his desires, yet desires such as praise fill needs for emotional beings that need acceptance and a purpose in life. Praise is for those that need validation. Why would a god need validation, especially from its lowly creations that are extremely inferior?

(November 9, 2013 at 11:58 am)Faith No More Wrote: Without referencing god, can you name a desire that isn't based on need?

Sure. I desire a donut right now, but I don't need one.

(November 9, 2013 at 1:05 pm)John V Wrote:

(November 9, 2013 at 11:58 am)Faith No More Wrote: Without referencing god, can you name a desire that isn't based on need?

Sure. I desire a donut right now, but I don't need one.

The basis for which is hunger, which, last I checked, is only optional to an extent.

(November 9, 2013 at 5:17 pm)Ryantology Wrote: The basis for which is hunger, which, last I checked, is only optional to an extent.

No, I wasn't hungry. They just taste good.

your body might crave the sugar you know. Maybe you're diabetic and your sugar levels are low. Maybe you're slightly depressed so your body wants a shock of sugar to release the seratonin. Maybe you saw a donut commercial and your subconscious got inundated with unwanted need to fulfill yourself with donut, by means of suggestive advertising. Or maybe you had a donut this same day last year and you smelt something that triggered your memory and desire for donuts. Maybe your body is craving carbs because you just did something physical. Or perhaps you fulfill your emotional needs with sugary pastries. Who knows? Long story short, there's always a reason for wanting a donut.