What is the difference between God and a dictator?

1. 58

   The Pac-Manposted 12 years ago

   What is the difference between God and a dictator?
   
   If God does not have to answer to anyone, or rather, if he does not have to explain himself to anyone, how is he (lets just assume its a he) different from a dictator?

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Because God has given us free will here on earth to do or behave the way we choose. A dictator will say it is my way or you will end up in prison or 6 feet under. There is a major difference. Take for instance, A dictator did not create you nor will he give you free will. God has done both.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      aaah but is it not my way or you going to hell?, is it not you can do whatever you want but dont do whatever you want?

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, I'm going to Heaven because I HAVE BEEN SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD. Through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      And Im going to hell because I choose not to believe in something noone can prove or disprove?

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's your choice my Friend. But, Every word in the Bible has been proven. Most has come to fruition.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      and because I made the choice (through the use of free will) Im going to hell?, and where is this observable or quantifiable proof, would you be able to show it to me?

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      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He can no more provide physical proof of god than we can provide proof of no god. In all fairness none of us REALLY know.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      true, thank you for sharing

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      lone77starposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good points, @JT. @Pac, yes, but it's more than deciding to disbelieve. God doesn't "punish" you for jumping off of a building. You do that to yourself.

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   9. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He does punish me for jumping off a building, he sends me to hell for eternity because I decided to exercise my free will

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       JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       You do have a choice. Jesus Christ ( A MAN) selfishly died for your sins on the cross. Beaten and tortured beyond comprehension. ALL he wants is to be excepted? Is that too much to ask for what he has done for us? Your fate is is your hands.

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   These questions always make me come off as an ignorant "meany" ( lack of a better word). My opinion, the difference is dictators are real God is not.

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      lone77starposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The blind are frequently certain of the lack of existence of those things they cannot see.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      and the small minded are frequently certain of the existence of things they read so long as it is in a book revered by majority of people

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Amen Lone. Even Helen Keller knew there was a God.

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4. 70

   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   A dictator controls everything. God knows everything, but he does not control everything. He lets us choose our paths, yet he knows the results of which choices me make.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      but does he not say something along the lines of; my way is the only right way?, if so is he then not influencing the decisions we make, is that not indirect-control?

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      lburmasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He does not influence the decisions and he doesn't say my way is the only right way.

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   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   The existence of the total dictator who can make and execute decisions without regard to anyone or anything he doesn't choose is a myth. Even the strong men of the 1930s and 1940s, from Stalin to FDR, had people around them they had to consult and take seriously. All state leaders have to compromise. If God is omnipotent with no necessity he do that, then He is unique.

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   1. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Im a bit confused, are you saying he is or isnt a dictator?

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I said there are no literal dictators, and so the question has no meaning.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      so in other words there is no such thing as a person who puts laws in place for their own benefit?

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That's how you define "dictator?" Strange. I never thought of lobbyists in that way.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      well clearly my definition is incorrect, just looked it up in the dictionary and it says its an absolute ruler, correct me if Im wrong but are you not suggesting that there is and there has never been such a thing as a dictator, that the word has bee

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Attempting to extrapolate that last comment, I assume you were going to ask if I say there never has been an absolutely absolute ruler in the long, sad history of human politics. Yes, that is absolutely what I say. Absolute power is like infinity.

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   7. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      dont really know what happened there but to finish off the last part of my last comment, are you suggesting that the word has been used loosely?, in terms of the definition of dictator, absolute refers to something that cannot be questioned, absolute

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      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You've got the idea.

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      absolute in this context does not mean forever/infinity, it means unquestionable, definite rule, therefor your claim of absolute power being infinite is irrelevant in the context of this discussion...

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       Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I take it back. You don't have the idea. Absolute power does not exist among humans. It is the characteristic of an omnipotent divine being. The question itself is therefore meaningless in its assumption of equivalency between two unequal conditions.

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6. 0

   Larry Wallposted 12 years ago

   God is forever.
   Dictators will either, die, be killed or overthrown.
   There is a future with God and no future with a dictator.

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7. 61

   royalblkroseposted 12 years ago

   You are not REQUIRED to worship God, or even listen to Him. a human dictator requires your attention.
   after reading some of your responses... to further clarify.. your attitude, based on your answers is that you do not agree with God, or the possibility of a God, yet, you are still ALIVE. A dictator would have killed you already.

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   1. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      (assuming that God exists) he is a dictator, just because Im still alive doesnt mean he isnt, there are other ways that dictators punish those who dont follow them, did God not uses plagues, the great flood etc to punish those who didnt follow his wo

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8. 73

   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   Differences:
   
   God created the universe; dictators can only move physical matter around.
   
   God owns the entire universe (it's his); dictators come and go, ruling only a tiny plot of land on a tiny planet on the outskirts of a medium-sized galaxy amongst billions of galaxies.
   
   God loves us and only wants us to wake up from the poison we took so long ago; dictators may or may not love their people (benevolent dictatorships are hard to maintain, because of not-so-benevolent competition).
   
   @PM, you talked of God, proof and going to hell. The object of humanity isn't to prove things, but to awaken from our long, spiritual slumber. Proof would only get in the way, because awakening takes faith (confidence) in the discontinuity of God and Creation, not confidence in the continuity of physical reality (science). God is purposefully hiding from those who mock him, not out of fear or any other base emotions, but out of love. The only way to awaken is to want it and hunger for it. God's power could dazzle our egos, but that would make the trap tougher to get out of. I've seen miracles up close and personal. I know the power of God, first hand.
   
   We are only stopped by our reliance on physical instrumentality (part of which is action-reaction-laden ego).
   
   God doesn't condemn anyone to hell any more than he condemns the suicide perpetrator to splat on the pavement they've aimed for by their own decision. This is so painfully simple, but so many disbelievers refuse to look. Blinded by their own egos.
   
   @Peeples said that God is not real. Well, I have to agree. Reality is limited and based upon continuity of physicality. God is unlimited and resides in a discontinuous realm known as source of creation. That's superior to reality. If you had ever been there, you would understand. But it's all a matter of choice. Those who decide not to look will never find. Couldn't be any simpler than that.

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   1. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The definition of dictator does not suggest that only those who can move physical matter only are dictator, any being that assumes sole and absolute unquestionable rule/power is a dictator

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      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Lone, to each his own. I've seeked and found nothing my whole life. For some of us it just doesn't happen.

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      MickeySrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      peeples (if I may) ~ I honestly hate these kinds of statements, but truly, perhaps if you stop seeking and simply be still and know . . . I believed when I was not seeking, the text of Scripture became clear when I just surrendered to it's truth.

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   MickeySrposted 12 years ago

   A dictator assumes authority over people already around - God exercises authority over people He created for His own purposes . . . this is close to asking why 40 year old parents should be in charge of 10 year old children who they love, instead of 10 year old children (who love themselves) being in charge of their parents. I mean, you may not believe or like the idea of a God somewhere being  the boss of everything, but c'mon; certainly you can think of all kinds of people a dictator should have to explain himself to, like everyone who is just like him, a man, that he dictates to - if there is a God who created all that exists, who is He supposed to explain Himself to?

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   1. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      you cant compare a human father-son relationship to one with an omnipotent being, not the same, and no I cant think of people a dictator should explain himself to since 1 definition of a dictator says that a dictator can make decisions without effect

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      MickeySrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "you cant compare a human father-son relationship to one with an omnipotent being, not the same" - that was kind of my point, you can't compare God to men, father or dictator. And, a dictator DOES do things without approval but SHOULD he?

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      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am not comparing him to a dictator, Im saying he is a dictator, I keep saying this; a dictator can be any being, check your dictionary it does not specify that only humans can be dictators, it makes mention of no specific being or species, therefor

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      MickeySrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I understand, but it is a comparison; a dictator (as we use the term) dictates to others, 'others' like himself, he has no right and can be overthrown, etc - God, as creator, has every right and cannot be overthrown, it's a false comparison/analogy.

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   5. 58

      The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No you do not understand, I am not using the term as we use it, Im using it the way in which the worlds dictionary suggest it is to be used, therefor i am not comparing him to a dictator, I am saying he IS a dictator, if an all powerful alien had to

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      MickeySrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, but, you ask "what's the difference" and there aren't transferable features, it's not like a mayor is the dictator of a city but like I am the dictator of my library, my books have no say, I own them, their purpose is to serve my interest.

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10. 58

    The Pac-Manposted 12 years ago

    Just like you I am giving human characteristics to an omnipotrent being (who I would expect to above human emotions) just as you call God mercful, all-loving, jealous God etc, I call him a dictator. now, the definition of dictator does not suggest that one must not have had a part to play in the coming-to-be of the people he assumes absolute power over. just because he created everything doesnt mean he is not a dictator. if a man was to create robots in his own image, without programming in them a purpose (free will). once the robot is ón' he gives it a disk and says 'read'and follow everything that is on that disk, the disk saying things like hes way is the only right way and if it doent follow it, it will go to a furnace and burn forever. show me how that is different from your idea of God?

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    1. 58

       The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I realise I have made quite a few grammer and spelling mistakes in this comment, I ask that you ignore them for the sake of the discussion

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       Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       If God made us with free will so we could be something more than toy robots, then He would have provided the freedom for us to exercise it. He would not dictate the workings of the world. He would be neither an idealized dictator nor a micromanager.

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       The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       does he not give instrunctions on how 1 should live their life?, does the bible not say what you can or can not do, does he not say that his way is the only right way and that it should be the only way that is followed?

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       Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Some take it so. Others pay more attention to that "I will gather all my lost sheep back into my fold" bit and believe there is no wrong way, that not being in the Kingdom doesn't condemn you to hell at all. There is no single doctrine.

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       The Pac-Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       those who believe there is no wrong way are clearly retarded, arent the 10 commandment not the single doctrine?
       thank you all for commenting, through your comments and answers I have gathered enough information to write my first hub, really hope yal

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       Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Your open, questing mind is an inspiration to all. I'm sure your Hub too will rise to that high standard.

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       MickeySrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I would encourage you to be sure you understand the authentic message of Christianity - it's simply not about being good & doing right, Jesus didn't come to teach how we're suppose to live, He came to accomplish the atonement. It's about relation

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    Mahmoposted 12 years ago

    God created the complicated system of our eyes , ears , liver , kidneys, heart , lung,digestion, urinary ...etc and also those of the dictator.God created the huge planets and the oceans, mountains , and the diversified environment around us but the dictator can not create even an ant !. If you are not satisfied with His creation around you and particularly in yourself, then you need more thinking .The small ant can not be expected to know who is you or me, but you and me can know much about the ants because we are more sophisticated than them . If you want to compare yourself with the God and to question His will and acts then your position will be  just like an ant if it tries to do the same with you .Simply the ant is lower creature compared with Man and both together with any dictator are much lower than their creator .Moreover God can never be described as dictator because HE is our creator and refuge in this life , and know what is the better thing that  we deserve  even if it looks bad in our eyes .Please watch the following debates as well :-
    
    http://www.youtube.com/user/akmesafri?f … sults_main

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