My new favorite argument
I just came across this on Wikipedia, and I am still reeling in astonishment. It's called the 'Omnipotence Paradox.' Just thought I'd throw it on here to give you guys some quick and easy ammo against theists. I'll give you the scientific idea, then the example (aka 'Paradox of the Stone').
If a being can perform such actions, then it can limit it's own ability to perform such actions. By this arguement, it cannot perform all actions, yet, on the other hand if it cannot limit it's own actions, then that is something it cannot do, and therefore, is not omnipotent.
And now for the easy version:
Could god create a stone so heavy that even he could not lift it? If so, he would then cease to be omnipotent. If not, he was not omnipotent to begin with.
Thank you for your time and patience. Another win for the Rationalists brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Atheist,
Maggie
If a being can perform such actions, then it can limit it's own ability to perform such actions. By this arguement, it cannot perform all actions, yet, on the other hand if it cannot limit it's own actions, then that is something it cannot do, and therefore, is not omnipotent.
And now for the easy version:
Could god create a stone so heavy that even he could not lift it? If so, he would then cease to be omnipotent. If not, he was not omnipotent to begin with.
Thank you for your time and patience. Another win for the Rationalists brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Atheist,
Maggie
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christopher McGuire on -
Here's the link in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotence_paradox
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Permalink Reply by Michel-san on -
This reminds me of Epicurus:
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
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Permalink Reply by Eoganacht on -
I've got that quote on my wall followed by 'Atheists, winning since 33 AD'.
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Permalink Reply by Christopher McGuire on
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I've got that quote on my favorite Atheist t-shirt.
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Permalink Reply by Loop Johnny on -
I've got that quote somewhere on my cortex
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Permalink Reply by Jason on -
Thank You for posting that quote. I have never heard it before. That is why I love coming to this website (TA). I’ve learned so much from it.
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Permalink Reply by Mario Rodgers on -
That's like asking God to create another God. And the believers would reply that it's not that he couldn't but that he wouldn't.
If God did invent a stone so heavy he couldn't lift it, he would probably just go all Dragon Ball Z and increase his power. XD
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Permalink Reply by Michel-san on
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Super saiyan god!
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Permalink Reply by Mario Rodgers on
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What?! Nine Thousand?!
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