Essay- Nature of God and Personal Relationship PDF

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Essay on the nature of God and impersonal and personal relationships with God. ...

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“The nature of God means that a personal relationship with God is impossible.” Discuss Many non-believers and believers would argue that due to the way god is sometimes illustrated and his nature, a personal relationship with God is impossible. This however depends on how a devotee chooses to worship God. Some would argue that it is very difficult to have a personal relationship with God. One of the biggest arguments is how can you have a relationship with someone who you cannot see or hear. God does not present himself to many in person, and therefore it is very difficult to be able to form a personal relationship with him. Some devotees therefore believe that instead of following God as the father which he is often refered to, they take an impersonal approach to him. This is also seen in Hinduism, where devotees can follow god as Brahman Nirguna. Instead of seeing him as a being or him having form, instead God is a power, and is surrounding us. God does not have any traits or characteristics for followers which can be related to at a human level, however he is a supreme entity on a different level. Hindus who follow this tradition will often try to have a god through jnanayoga, with the ultimate goal of reaching moksha. Upon enlightenment, they will come out of their advidya (ignorance) and be able to be with god in a spiritual sense, not a personal relationship. Athiests will often agree with the idea that you cannot possibly connect with god, as the nature of his existence does allow for it. The attributes that most religious equate to god, such as omnipresence, omnibenevolence, omniscience and omnipotence cannot possibly work in modern day society. For example, an omnibenevolent god cannot love everyone but allow for suffering, when he has the omnipotence to prevent it. Therefore, the personal relationship which most devotees hold for god cannot possibly work, as the attributes do not work. Many religious believers would disagree with the idea that you cannot have a personal relationship with God. In Hinduism, a personal God is often referred to as Brahman Saguna. He is often portrayed in a humanly form, such as Vishnu and Krishna. Followers tend to find that a personal relationship to God is easier to follow. In a Hindu sense, the fact that God loves everyone means that he loves each and every one of us individually. When puja is being performed, God enters the room spiritually and is with each and every follower. Some Hindus also follow the practice of bhakti yoga, with the idea that devotional yoga is a way of worshipping a more personal god. This often involves choosing a deity which they most relate to, for example Ganesh for wealth, and then praying to that particular form of God for guidance. This is a practice that helps the devotee connect to an aspect of God that they feel closest to, and who will help them in their own situation. This is similar in Christianity. God is often reffered to as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The son, namely Jesus, was sent down to spread the word of God and God will, which was God presenting himself on a personal level to his followers. The good work Jesus carried out and the paralbles are examples of how it is believed God formed a personal relationship with God. Although the Father figure is believed to be someone we meet after death, the son was someone who walked among us in life, and therefore a personal relationship was formed with god. This is similar to the holy spirit, who Christians believe surround us constantly. During mass, the Holy Spirit enters the room and is god’s presence during the ceremony. God enters the room

and connects with us as we take part in mass, and guides us in our choices. Christians also refer to god as being omnipresent, meaning that even though he cannot be worshiped in a physical form, we are surrounded by him every day. Christians also argue that followers do not need to know god in a physical form in order to feel close to him. Just by the acknowledgement of miracles and religious experience, a follower can feel closer to god. An example of this is with Moses and the burning bush. God sent a message to Moses that he wanted him to free the Jewish slaves in Egypt and take them to the promised-land. This for many shows that god really cared about his followers, and chose them a leader in order to save them from the slavery. This is god presenting himself on a personal level to the Jews who were saved by his power and grace. Overall, whilst some may argue that it is difficult to have a personal relationship with God as he does not present himself to humans, it is not in any means impossible. Some elect to have more of an impersonal relationship with god, and follow a god who has no attributes. However, it is usually easier to relate for most people to a god with attributes, which is seen regularly in Hinduism. By having more of a personal relationship with God, followers feel more connected to a religion and find it easier to be able to worship him....