Are religious people egoistic if they believe the Creator has special plans for them?

Wouldn't say humans in general, I'd say religious people. I myself am not religious therefore do not feel that a "creator" gave me life for a speicifc reason. My parents are religious and firmly believe that God is behind all of their success in some way, and that he guides them on their journey. To me, if I achieve something it's of my own volition, no God or creator had any input into my decisions leading up to my failures and successes, and I prefer to think this way because it's up to me to decide what I want out of life and no one else.

Some people believe that a creator gives them a purpose and they use this enlightenment to motivate themselves to push their limits and perhaps help out society, and I for one applaud them for that despite my views being different. However, there are some who have 0 humility and as you say grow egotistical, which is not the route you want to take. With this mindset these people become ignorant and self-involved, they begin to think they're more important than anyone else because of their suppossed "purpose" in life.

 

How to be egoistic due to a creator when you don't believe in a creator?

 

Would this not imply that all egotistic people believe in a higher power of sorts? I'm sure there are plenty of atheist people who believe in science as opposed to a creator that have large egos.

 

Honestly i wouldn't agree that religion has had a huge impact on my life, also providing that i remain respectful of others beliefs avoiding conflict isn't exactly difficult, despite not knowing much about various religions.

 

If by them you mean only the one person in question, then yes. But if they believe there is a special plan for all people, then not necessarily. Even in the second case a person can be egotistical.

 

I'm not religious personally but here's my thoughts on it; for a religious person to say that they feel some kind of divine being has their whole life carefully constructed and laid before them isn't hard to believe when it's said that "God" created mankind and life, so why not a beginning and end to said life? So I can see that.

But also, the bible says that 'God' has given humans free reign over their own lives. The ability to make their own decisions so by this concept, it's true that 'He' had a plan and in that plan-- a choose your own adventure.

 

So long as you're not a dick, whatever gets you through the day happy and optimistic is a-okay with me.

My problem with thinking you have been given a distinct path is that it seems like the first steps towards crippling anxiety. I've had friends and relatives tell me that they've dealt with panic attacks and similar incidents relating to their religious beliefs, which is fucking awful. The important thing to remember about the future is that it will never suddenly "happen". It will always be what you make of it.

 

Yes. You make your own plans.

 

I think it's more of a curious type of ideology, one probably thinks, "Hey, what if God has some type of special plan for me, a destiny from God?" And then disregard it later on, but otherwise I think it could he egoistic.

 

I would say that you have to be slightly egotistical to believe "God" has time to even talk or guide you, he must be a busy man right? What makes you so special?

A religious person would say "God" is omnipotent and can talk and guide all his followers because he is everywhere at once.

To get back to your original question. I'd say you are not only egotistical but delusional if you believe that this bloke you believe in has selected you to be somehow more important than others.

This is the problem that we face when mixing beliefs and logic.

I hope this builds the discussion in some way

 

Are religious people egoistic if they believe the Creator has special plans for them?

I'm going to write a short answer for now and possibly expand on this later on or respond to responses when I have more time.

I am very clueless about what I actually believe in, but I do often believe that "God" is a construct that we have created in order to explain our existence. Most people in the world believe in some sort of God, imagine if they did not. Everyone would be clueless, their lives would be pretty meaningless, and they would have no idea what to do. Believing in God makes them feel better. This is why people believe that God has special plans for them and helps them, because if he does not look after you specifically then what is the point in believing in God? Simply to go to whatever heaven you believe in. So I would say yes, it does make you a bit egotistic.

 

That is a really valid point, I guess they would say they didn't start to believe in god for self gratitude. But through the process this "god" has made them feel better about their life.

I disagree with "Everyone would be clueless" though, a lot of Atheists lead very fulfilling lives without the need for a god, and can they can be incredibly self aware.

Another point I might add is that through out history, power has always been held by those ones who are most in touch with the gods. Are these spiritual leaders really any more in touch with a higher power than us?

 

True, now that I think about it I guess that "everyone would be clueless" comment is false. I didn't really think about it the way that you put it.

By spiritual leaders do you mean people such as the Pope?
I would say that they could potentially feel like they are more in touch with them (the human mind is capable of crazy things, your perception is your life). If there is a God, I feel like they aren't actually better connected with him, they just feel like they are better connected.

 

God is basically just a Santa for adults. Religion has no place in the 21st century it was designed to control the masses 2000 or so years ago if you still follow any sort of religion your a lost cunt to think "God" sent down his only son only to watch him get tortured and murdered and instead of going to town on the inferior humans he apparently created decides to forgive all humans for all their sins wahh don't come preaching at my door bitch

sorry if this offended you but it's my opinion

 

I, as a strong believer of the Christian faith, knows that God has a set path for us. He is outside of time, for he created it - no matter what, even if we disobey him, it was part of the plan - because the plan at the end of the day is the regeneration of the entire creation. Man's chief End is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

My thoughts, please don't be offended -_-

 

Super solid. I'm totally on your side but for the sake of debate, if he's omipotent, nobody is more special than the other, so you can't really use that. :/

 

God is outside of time, for he created it - God has time to guide us all, we just are so irrational sometimes, so we don't understand the plans. God is outside of time, so I don't understand the "busy man" part. And yes, someone delusional would believe that God has chosen someone to be more important to another. We are all in this together, whether we are, or are not Christians. God has a plan for all of us.

@Narcissists - Don't bother trying to hate me for being a Christian. I'll give you some Ice cream before you go to hell.