Now He exists; what changed?

some implications

In earlier times, before 2 months ago, it would be the same for me to say that God exists or that God does not exist. Just a matter of opinion; either stance is valid and equally embedded in the truth. People were just inclined to say one thing or the other and believe in it. It was both okay; it was both something that had almost no bearing on me, my life, or my existence. Cultural relativism and moral relativism. It would drive my brother through the roof in talks about faith and life. He was and is a devote catholic, even a monk at some point in his life.

Now, it is a meaningful question for me to ask what the implications of God's existence are. What changed now that He exists? I debated with Artificial Intelligence about this.

1. That reality is ultimately grounded in mind, purpose, and intention rather than being fundamentally impersonal. Existential questions become more personal. This has huge implications for everything I think and do. God, the Universe, and Life have something to do with me!!

2. Reality has an ultimate source. If God exists as creator, then the universe is not a brute fact. Its existence has an explanation outside itself. Life is no accident! Huge note!

3. Human life may have objective purpose. If humans were intentionally created, then our purpose is not merely something we invent. There could be an objective reason for human existence, whether that is the relationship with God, moral development, worship, or some other divine end. For me? The relationship with God.

4. Morality could be more than human convention. Many argue that God's existence provides a foundation for objective moral truths. If God exists and is morally perfect, then some actions may be genuinely right or wrong regardless of culture, preference, or social agreement. The opposite of relativism. There is a hard Truth. God has the final answer.

5. Consciousness may be more fundamental than matter. Many religious traditions view minds as reflecting a deeper spiritual reality. God's existence might suggest that consciousness is not merely an accidental byproduct of physical processes but connected to something more fundamental. Consciousness is God; this is the deeper spiritual reality.

6. Death might not be the end. Many conceptions of God include the possibility of an afterlife, resurrection, judgment, reincarnation, or continued existence of the soul. God's existence alone does not guarantee any particular afterlife, but it makes such possibilities more plausible than under strict materialism. I believe in Heaven now, an afterlife. Catholics also believe in purgatory. I have to think about that one!

7. Human knowledge has a new dimension. If God exists and can reveal truths, then some knowledge might come not only through observation and reason but also through revelation, religious experience, or spiritual insight. This is such a relief, and it highlights my own conversion into the faith.

8. Suffering takes on a different meaning. A world with God raises questions about why suffering exists, but it also opens the possibility that suffering serves purposes beyond what we can presently see. Many religious traditions interpret suffering as contributing to growth, freedom, justice, or redemption. It would answer a lot of questions.

9. Free will and responsibility may be heightened. If God exists and humans are moral agents, then our choices may have significance beyond immediate consequences. Responsibility could extend beyond society's judgment to a transcendent moral order.

10. The Universe may be intelligible by design. Historically, some thinkers argued that if a rational God created the universe, it is unsurprising that the universe is governed by discoverable laws and that human reason can understand them in time.

I did not want to ask and prompt ChatGPT with questions and have a conversation with a bot, but I found in this particular case it was for me a good example to understand the implications of God’s presence in my life and in Life in general. This is the first and last time I will ask for help from ChatGPT. But I learned a lot from this exercise!

WC: 618

2024 OCTOBER PROMPT:
What does it mean to you to say that God exists or does not exist?
It is impossible to prove whether God exists or not and a futile waste of time to try and use reason or science in the effort to do so. This conviction is held, or not held, by faith, or the lack of it. However, it is a meaningful question to ask what the implications of God’s existence or non-existence are. God, in this exercise, is referred to as an infinite, eternal, almighty, all-knowing Being that created, sustains, and will hold to account your existence. If He exists or does not exist, what changes?