Ah. Good argument; where you and I diverge in opinion is that I draw the line at an immortal soul.
Any sufficiently powerful being can be considered a god, in the same way that sufficiently advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic; I agree. However, if any of these gods could prove to have some control or authority over my existence after death, I’d accept them as God, or a God (if they presented as Olympians, or Valhallians); I’d probably even change my lifestyle. If it were Odin or Thor, and they confirmed that it you die in battle you get to go to Valhalla, I’d sign up to fight in Ukraine immediately - for instance. It’d be a hard proof, but it it were the Abrahamic God, I might suggest something like: “omnipotent means you can make me convinced.”
I’m not a god, and I don’t have some fetish about being the “Captain of my Soul.” Like you, if confronted with Thor, I can recognize his ineffable god-ness without worshipping him; but it it affects my post-death existence, everything changes.
Heck, if they promise to provide me a Good Life and don’t vary too much from my core ethics, I might worship them then, too. It’s not much different from paying taxes and going to work, and it might be hella easier than what I’m currently doing.
Ah. Good argument; where you and I diverge in opinion is that I draw the line at an immortal soul.
Any sufficiently powerful being can be considered a god, in the same way that sufficiently advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic; I agree. However, if any of these gods could prove to have some control or authority over my existence after death, I’d accept them as God, or a God (if they presented as Olympians, or Valhallians); I’d probably even change my lifestyle. If it were Odin or Thor, and they confirmed that it you die in battle you get to go to Valhalla, I’d sign up to fight in Ukraine immediately - for instance. It’d be a hard proof, but it it were the Abrahamic God, I might suggest something like: “omnipotent means you can make me convinced.”
I’m not a god, and I don’t have some fetish about being the “Captain of my Soul.” Like you, if confronted with Thor, I can recognize his ineffable god-ness without worshipping him; but it it affects my post-death existence, everything changes.
Heck, if they promise to provide me a Good Life and don’t vary too much from my core ethics, I might worship them then, too. It’s not much different from paying taxes and going to work, and it might be hella easier than what I’m currently doing.