Heard about the heavy stone paradox the other day... if “God” is all powerful and infinite, can “God” create a stone so heavy that even “God” couldn’t lift it? If it can’t be created, then “God” is limited. If it can and “God” can’t lift the stone, then “God” is not all powerful. Just has me thinking...
The paradox relies on a number of presuppositions all of which are purported by the Christian (and other) religions, but not by secular thinkers.
First among these is the existence of a god(s)
Second is that given the existence of such, he she or it is the creator of all things
Third given that this too is so that the being is supreme and all powerful
All of these things can only be taken on faith, or on faith in scripture as being true.
If the god(s) don't exist the whole paradox is null and void
If there is not a single creator or there is no creation there is no paradox
If the god(s) do exist but are capable of lying there is no paradox
If the creator god(s) are not omnipotent but have been lying there is no paradox.
This is an ontological theological word game or riddle meant to pop the bubble of religious pomposity and nothing more.
The best reason for not believing in a literal god is not really even the absurdity of such a proposition, and it is absurd, but the fact that we know why humans invent gods. We know the reasons, from the biological predisposition to parent-child bonding instincts, to the psychological need for ultimate explanations and the generation of their metaphorical expression, to the group dynamics of social cohesion.
Science understands the reasons gods are invented and persist in our species. This knowledge preempts any need to grapple with proofs or disproofs of literal gods. We know where gods come from and how they are made.
This is an old rabbinical argument. One of the things I like about Judaism (along with the food), is that it promotes ideas that challenge religious belief. Judaism has as much to answer for as any other religion and has caused much death and oppression, but I do appreciate a religion which says "think about this - it might lead you to abandon religion." Being Jewish is probably a large part of why I'm an atheist.