What is a "god"?

[I and I]

Can one act as if something is a god if it doesn't have human likeness in its description, for example: can one act as if money is a god?

[CleanShavenJesus]

Atheists should not define what characteristics make up a "god", it's the respective believers of the different "gods" that dictate its characteristics. From there, the atheist can decide to believe and/or accept it, or to not believe and/or accept it.

So if people believe in something that they can't prove exists it's fine as long as the people believing in that don't call it a god?

When did I say we can't refer to it as a god?

[houseofcantor]

How should atheists define what characteristics make up a "god" to determine wether someone is believing in a certain entity?

Defining characteristics that make up a god is not exactly having a lack of belief in god, now is it?

[Silver]

Defining characteristics that make up a god is not exactly having a lack of belief in god, now is it?

One can define characteristics of any fictional concept, but in no way does it mean the fictional character is real.

When one is interested in Harry Potter to the point of defining characteristics of the boy wizard, one still retains the knowledge that the character is fictional.

[I and I]

How should atheists define what characteristics make up a "god" to determine wether someone is believing in a certain entity?

Defining characteristics that make up a god is not exactly having a lack of belief in god, now is it? :angel:

Hi nice to meet you....

I am asking if non human things can be a god, like money, government, ideologies.

[houseofcantor]

Defining characteristics that make up a god is not exactly having a lack of belief in god, now is it?

Hi nice to meet you....

Wise guy.

I am asking if non human things can be a god, like money, government, ideologies.

No, you weren't. You were asking atheists to define god, 'cause you got some kind of agenda to stir up some kind of trouble, 'cause that's what you do.

But "non-human things?" I've heard people go on about nature as god, or universe as god; but them other things are usually mislabeled, IMO.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

I've thought about this, I once asked a Christian to define a god when she said I couldn't disprove a god. I said well, what would I be disproving, is there some characteristic that only your god has and if anything has that characteristic does that mean it is a god? She couldn't give me an answer.

Now I think whatever has worshippers can be a god. I mean it's ultimately a concept, if someone thinks something is a god, it's a god to this person, whether or not it really is or exist.

[I and I]

Hi nice to meet you....

Wise guy. :dodgy:

I am asking if non human things can be a god, like money, government, ideologies.

No, you weren't. You were asking atheists to define god, 'cause you got some kind of agenda to stir up some kind of trouble, 'cause that's what you do. :P

But "non-human things?" I've heard people go on about nature as god, or universe as god; but them other things are usually mislabeled, IMO.

I would never do such things....

Can things like money or governments be a god to someone if they do things that one usually attributes to worshiping.

[max-greece]

Can things like money or governments be a god to someone if they do things that one usually attributes to worshiping.

There are many examples of Kings and emperors throughout history that have been regarded as Gods - from Pharoah's to the Emperor of Japan.

Even leaders who did not make the specific claim were often treated as gods. Mao isn't a bad example of that.

[bennyboy]

How should atheists define what characteristics make up a "god" to determine wether someone is believing in a certain entity?

A god is whatever entity causes people to arrive at your doorbell early Sunday morning to tell you about its blessings, and who won't fuck off even when you obviously have a hangover.