Posted by Joel on October 23, 1999 at 22:51:47:

In Reply to: Re: You draw a conclusion posted by Philosopher on September 27, 1999 at 12:11:47:

In an earlier post you mentioned that if a longing exists then there must be a real something out there that creates that longing. I read something similar from C.S. Lewis. He spoke of hunger in a world without food or romantic love in a world lacking men and women (I guess this last argument wouldn't have held for some these days - ha). Anyhow, I was thinking about this and wonder about this. When we speak of "needs" it seems we're on a very subjective area. I mean we can speak of physical needs fairly well it seems, but in terms of a "need" for God, well, some can always say, "Hey, I don't feel any "God-shaped hole" at all." As I see it, there is only one basis upon which I could insist otherwise; special revelation. That is, we say to the Atheist, you are saying too much when you say "There is no God". For, this mean you must know all things and have been everywhere. But, when Christians go to foreign lands and say to people they know almost nothing about, and of course, people that they can't see inside of... "You need God". Or perhaps more specifically, when we say, "ALL people need God". Then, unless we have gone and met all people and somehow proved to them and ourselves that this idea is true... then, I am making just as large an umption/overstatement. The only way I see a difference in "pride" between the two, is that the Atheist is saying so from himself, his own ability to reason and know. But, the Christian is starting from a belief in the truth of revealed truth. On this basis, he claims a universal need for knowing and loving God. Would you agree? If not, explain why so please.

It seems my train of thought somewhat derailed, but anyhow, on the topic of anorigin of felt needs, isn't it possible for someone to feel a need for God or at least the thought of Him, and simply have that be self-created.... much like the idea of a belief in faries? I can't follow the logic in how the thought of God requires His existence. I'd prefer if this were so, but I don't see it just yet.

Thanks for a reply - jti

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: In an earlier post you mentioned that if a longing exists then there must be a real something out there that creates that longing. I read something similar from C.S. Lewis. He spoke of hunger in a world without food or romantic love in a world lacking men and women (I guess this last argument wouldn't have held for some these days - ha). Anyhow, I was thinking about this and wonder about this. When we speak of "needs" it seems we're on a very subjective area. I mean we can speak of physical needs fairly well it seems, but in terms of a "need" for God, well, some can always say, "Hey, I don't feel any "God-shaped hole" at all." As I see it, there is only one basis upon which I could insist otherwise; special revelation. That is, we say to the Atheist, you are saying too much when you say "There is no God". For, this mean you must know all things and have been everywhere. But, when Christians go to foreign lands and say to people they know almost nothing about, and of course, people that they can't see inside of... "You need God". Or perhaps more specifically, when we say, "ALL people need God". Then, unless we have gone and met all people and somehow proved to them and ourselves that this idea is true... then, I am making just as large an umption/overstatement. The only way I see a difference in "pride" between the two, is that the Atheist is saying so from himself, his own ability to reason and know. But, the Christian is starting from a belief in the truth of revealed truth. On this basis, he claims a universal need for knowing and loving God. Would you agree? If not, explain why so please. : It seems my train of thought somewhat derailed, but anyhow, on the topic of anorigin of felt needs, isn't it possible for someone to feel a need for God or at least the thought of Him, and simply have that be self-created.... much like the idea of a belief in faries? I can't follow the logic in how the thought of God requires His existence. I'd prefer if this were so, but I don't see it just yet. : Thanks for a reply - jti

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