Benevolent Creator God?

[vulcanlogician]

But it IS important, Neo. An interpretation of an experience as "from God" (rather than just mundane activity of the mind) can suggest certain realities or produce biases. I'm reminded of a YouTube series where a deconverted atheist described being in a relationship and feeling that God wanted her to be with this person. In the end, the relationship didn't work out.

From the woman's perspective, the feeling (or inner experience) of God "blessing" the relationship urged her to pursue it. Had she interpreted the inner experience differently, she might have said "I'm just having feelings about the relationship. They aren't from God. There is no divine influence urging me to pursue the relationship."

All I'm saying is, in principle, there is a "practical effect" in interpreting inner experiences as being "from God."

For someone engaged in rationalizing a strong impulse, I would think saying "from God" and "from my innermost being" are functionally equivalent. They would do what they would do anyway, for any reason that sounded convincing. On the otherhand, for someone trying to make sense of uncanny and ineffable experiences, which is where I often find myself, I am not convinced that such a distinction matters - why wouldn't the voice of my innermost being seem in some sense divine and if God exists it seems right and proper that he would speak to me from my innermost being instead trying to reach me through the same perceptual path SKY News uses.

Unlike many atheists, I think there is some value in using symbols and concepts to bring one's inner life into order or create meaning. Even symbols like God or Christ. I feel like meditating on such symbols can bring benefit

But (as an atheist) I'm reminded that a plethora of symbols and concepts can achieve this end. Theravada Buddhists use "emptiness" and it gets the job done. It doesn't have to be Jesus. It can be wholly mundane.

What concerns me is the baggage that often accompanies these symbols. But in the final analysis, a reasonable person who reflects on things and approaches mysticism carefully, can avoid these pitfalls.

I really liked Belequa's perspective on mysticism. I've often wondered if atheism is antipodal to mysticism. I think maybe not. In any case, it's an interesting thing to consider.