God as computer

[Mister Agenda]

First, I'm new here. Second I am a Christian. Third this is a serious question/speculation. It will be interesting (and hopefully enlightening) for me to read the responses.

Welcome, Max!

So what if Who (What?) we call God is actually a computer (or a really advanced type of technology that we understand as a computer) and all that we see and detect in the universe is simply a part of a program?

The idea can't be completely discounted. If Moore's law (in the general sense) continues to hold for another 40 years, a computer the size of a modern desktop will have the processing power of five billion human brains and at least comparable memory. Since all of our experiences are in our brains, you could have billions of 'virtual people' have an experience of the universe identical to ours (the programming would be a bear, but it would be possible).

I don't imagine this computer is "personal" like the Christian God is, but, I suppose it could have attributes that seem to convey personhood. I imagine that somehow the "computer" is outside of the universe program, or so far "above" it to be, effectively, not part of the universe. I know there was a book about this years ago, but I don't the name of it.

If the simulation is intended for us (rather than us just being a byproduct of a 'run universe' command), I suppose it would be for scientific purposes, and therefore as much like the 'real world' as possible. My reasoning is that if it's for entertainment purposes, there are a lot of simple upgrades that could be done to make it better for that purpose.

So, is this a reasonable or workable theory? How would one reason it out? Is it possible, through reason or evidence to, if not prove it, make a plausible argument for something like this?

If we're in a simulation, our computers are simulations as well. Our reality could be a simulation run by a simulated computer. There must be a limit to the original computer's processing power. If we happen to be the last iteration of the original computer's processing power, we would not be able to accurately simulate the experience of a universe because there won't be enough processing power in the original computer to run the last simulation. That's a big 'if' though.

I am interested in reading speculations that are based on reason and from a skeptical and/or atheistic point of view.

It's an interesting question, but it may be unresolvable. It occurs to me though that it is not too soon to start considering the ethical implications of running a conscious mind on a computer.

(I mentioned that I am Christian just so anyone answering will understand my background. I am not interested in this post in answering questions about my faith. I can go to another thread and do that. Besides, this is an atheist message board, no one here is interested in Christianity).

Fair enough. Some of us have an interest in Christianity, but it tends to either be more academic, or in the sense of being aware of what they're up to.

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Don't quite understand, so in this computer theory, we're part of the software, yes?

If we say the entire universe is a software, how does that change what we're dealing with? Because we are still observing the same things, just you choose to call it a program? I mean is there any practical differences that is required for the universe to be a program (by your definition), that the universe wouldn't have if it wasn't a program? If no, then it really is just a matter of taste what you call it.

I suppose if we find evidence that we are actually in a simulation, we might try to find a way to change the programming or contact the user(s). A question I would have for them is 'do you think you're living in a simulated reality?'.