sincere question for theists and deists

[Darth]

A thought occurred to me whilst I was in the shower just now, was pondering on the deistic god.

If the creator deity is infinitely intelligent, or in the case of deism, at least hyper intelligent enough to create the universe, does the creator even need to create?

If the deity can conceive of an idea, can imagine it, can picture it, and is hyper/infinitely intelligent, what then is the difference between the god's imagination, and the actual resulting creation?

Once we pass a certain amount of intelligence (enough to know everything in this universe at any one time and extrapolate from there), the universe not being infinite and the deity being infinite (or at least smart enough) then I would propose that there is no need for an actual creation, it would already have happened in a mind of such magnitude.

[Nick_A]

A thought occurred to me whilst I was in the shower just now, was pondering on the deistic god.

If the creator deity is infinitely intelligent, or in the case of deism, at least hyper intelligent enough to create the universe, does the creator even need to create?

If the deity can conceive of an idea, can imagine it, can picture it, and is hyper/infinitely intelligent, what then is the difference between the god's imagination, and the actual resulting creation?

Once we pass a certain amount of intelligence (enough to know everything in this universe at any one time and extrapolate from there), the universe not being infinite and the deity being infinite (or at least smart enough) then I would propose that there is no need for an actual creation, it would already have happened in a mind of such magnitude.

A good question Stue. Suppose what we see as the universe are just results of a continual process. We do not see the process but rather see the results. We see the sun as the sun. But suppose it really is a point in a cyclical process we experience as coming into being and finally dying.

Does the absolute need what we see as the finished product like a sun or rather the process of existence that attaches galaxies to suns and suns to planets as a functioning machine? If the process is necessary, more than imagination is needed.

[Cinjin]

To both questions in the OP: I have no idea.

Although I clearly enjoy religious debate, Deism itself is not AT ALL a driving force in my life. It's a useful footnote used in conversation and online debate.

In the real world, I'd rather spend my time playing with my son, making some money and enjoying my life. I figure if there's a God - he don't need me sitting around contemplating how he handles his business.

[BloodyHeretic]

We are here. Why wonder about impossible questions?

[Rokcet Scientist]

A "sincere question for theists and deists" should be posed on a "sincere" theistic/deistic forum. FYI, this is an atheist board...!
I.o.w. you're barking up the wrong tree of course, Nick.

[DeistPaladin]

If the creator deity is ...at least hyper intelligent enough to create the universe, does the creator even need to create?

I would say that we understand the need to create things. It's a deep part of our nature. I already alluded to this in your other post. We create because we can. We do it for its own sake. No higher purpose is required. Perhaps we are chips off the proverbial block. Maybe God didn't have a reason to create other than to answer the need to create.

[Napoléon]

A "sincere question for theists and deists" should be posed on a "sincere" theistic/deistic forum. FYI, this is an atheist board...!
I.o.w. you're barking up the wrong tree of course, Nick.

There are still deists and theists here. He may not want to go through the hassle of joining a shitty theistic forum when he's already on the most awesome forum there is

[DeistPaladin]

A "sincere question for theists and deists" should be posed on a "sincere" theistic/deistic forum. FYI, this is an atheist board...!
I.o.w. you're barking up the wrong tree of course, Nick.

There are still deists and theists here. He may not want to go through the hassle of joining a shitty theistic forum when he's already on the most awesome forum there is

That and you can get banned just for asking questions on a theist forum.

[Minimalist]

A thought occurred to me whilst I was in the shower just now, was pondering on the deistic god.

Why don't you try singing in the shower like normal people?

[Nick_A]

A "sincere question for theists and deists" should be posed on a "sincere" theistic/deistic forum. FYI, this is an atheist board...!
I.o.w. you're barking up the wrong tree of course, Nick.

There are still deists and theists here. He may not want to go through the hassle of joining a shitty theistic forum when he's already on the most awesome forum there is

That and you can get banned just for asking questions on a theist forum.

Don't do it Stue. No matter how much they pressure you, don't become a normal member of the "Great Beast." What is the Beast you ask? Simone Weil gives a good description.

"The Great Beast is introduced in Book VI of The Republic. It represents the prejudices and passions of the masses. To please the Great Beast you call what it delights in Good, and what it dislikes Evil. In America this is called politics."

Do you really want to be a member of a group expressing its collective prejudices and passions? I hope not. Keep thinking in the shower. Once you are considered normal, it is all over.