Could Michael Savage be a Deist?

Hardenbergh

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Hardenbergh
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I found this website this morning when I was searching for information about deism. I heard "The Savage Nation" last night and I heard Michael Savage say that he believed that God is omnipresent but not omnipotent, that he didn't think that God was controlling everything because of all the suffering in the world. To me, that sounds a lot like deism from the description in this quote:


Deism, as we define it, is a belief in a loving creator, an ultimate, eternal being, who is omnipresent and omniscient and perfectly good, but not omnipotent. This definition, with important qualifications, has substantial basis in philosophical history, despite the all-too widespread impression that the deistic creator is indifferent to its creation. The popular analogy for the deistic god is a supernatural watchmaker who may for all we know be fascinated by its handiwork, but is definitely not emotionally involved.

That analogy, however, is a simplistic historical caricature. It has been truly said that history is written by the victors. This is clearly the case with deism, since the popular notion of what it means has been disseminated in a culture dominated by the Christian religion. Let us attempt to set the record straight here. Contrary to popular Christian propaganda, ultimate reality ("god" if you prefer) as conceived by deism is not impersonal at all, merely non-omnipotent, hence non-controlling, and thus not in a position to provide people with the miracles on demand for which they so often yearn.
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Deism and America

I also found an article by Andrew Wright titled Types of Theism, Varieties of Atheism:

Types of Theism, Varieties of Atheism
 
Or, what if God was non-controlling because He so chooses to be non-controlling? If, in fact God created the Universe, you don't think He could obliterate it in an instant? Also note the fact that non-controlling implies an "allowance" for free will.
 
RandFan said:
Could be why is it important?
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If God were in fact the Creator, you don't think it would be wise to try and understand His position? Otherwise, who or what do we blame for our suffering? Or, as some say, how could we even believe in a being that allows for suffering to exist?
 
Iacchus said:
Or, what if God was non-controlling because He so chooses to be non-controlling?
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Would non-controlling not include manifesting as a man in order to specifically influence humans?
 
Why does everyone think God has to be omnibenevolent, anyway? If God is to us as we are to the Sims, for example - who's to say He isn't putting us in various cruel situations for his own amusement?
 
zaayrdragon said:
Why does everyone think God has to be omnibenevolent,
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I don't. I fail to see why that would be a necessary quality for a god. Infact I'd happily argue that the Christian god is not. However Christians are pretty lost without that quality since they're effectively admitting they're just worshipping a tyrant who can do whatever, whenever and be as badass as he wants.
 
Or, to be quite blunt, pain is probably the best teacher that there is. Where is the wisdom, without the pain?
 
Or, to be quite blunt, pain is probably the best teacher that there is. Where is the wisdom, without the pain?
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Indeed. I often find it helpful to beat a llama whilst I'm reading a C++ reference manual as it helps increase my overall C++ wisdom.

What, you mean I have to experience the pain? Screw that.

Other than that have you got any evidence for this tautology? Or do you just go around punching people to increase their wisdow and leave that as evidence?
 
Iacchus said:
If God were in fact the Creator, you don't think it would be wise to try and understand His position? Otherwise, who or what do we blame for our suffering? Or, as some say, how could we even believe in a being that allows for suffering to exist?
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What on earth does this have to do with whether or not Michael Savage is a Deist or not?
 
zaayrdragon said:
Why does everyone think God has to be omnibenevolent, anyway? If God is to us as we are to the Sims, for example - who's to say He isn't putting us in various cruel situations for his own amusement?
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I'm here to say that if there is a God that is exactly what he is doing. If there were a god then he hates poor people and he hates stupid people, and he hates ugly people and he really gets off watching them suffer. If your ugly but smart and or rich he doesn't hate you as much and might give you a break or two.

Gods blessings have more to do with your status than anything else. And if you are ugly, dumb and poor then look out because you are going to have a crappy life no matter how much you go to church and are obedient to his "will". Ah but gods plan is mysterious and he rewards in his own way. Hugh Heffner is going to get his comeuppance some day just you wait and see.
 
RandFan said:
What on earth does this have to do with whether or not Michael Savage is a Deist or not?
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Because it might have something to do with whether God is omnipotent or not ... i.e., according to what "Michael Savage" had to say.
 
Iacchus said:
Because it might have something to do with whether God is omnipotent or not ... i.e., according to what "Michael Savage" had to say.
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Who cares what Michael Savage has to say about God? My tax accountant has an opinion about God and omnipotence also. Is his opinion relevant?
 
RandFan said:
Who cares what Michael Savage has to say about God? My tax accountant has an opinion about God and omnipotence also. Is his opinion relevant?
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So, which part about what Michael Savage "had to say" would you like to discuss then?
 
Iacchus said:
So, which part about what Michael Savage "had to say" would you like to discuss then?
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I don't know, why would I want to discuss any of the parts? Michael Savage is a political commentator. Is there a reason why his opinion about religion, spirituality or god is important? I think the guy is a PhD but is he known for his philosophical thinking?
 
RandFan said:
I don't know, why would I want to discuss any of the parts? Michael Savage is a political commentator. Is there a reason why his opinion about religion, spirituality or god is important? I think the guy is a PhD but is he known for his philosophical thinking?
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If you don't particularly care how Michael Savage "thinks," then why don't you direct this towards the person who started this thread? Did you happen to notice that my first post wasn't particularly directed towards how Michael Savage "thinks" either? At least I managed to try and salvage something out of what was being said anyway. ;)
 
Iacchus said:
If you don't particularly care how Michael Savage "thinks," then why don't you direct this towards the person who started this thread? Did you happen to notice that my first post wasn't particularly directed towards how Michael Savage "thinks" either? At least I managed to try and salvage something out of what was being said anyway. ;)
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Salvage something? Thanks a lot, Iacchus.
 
zaayrdragon said:
Why does everyone think God has to be omnibenevolent, anyway? If God is to us as we are to the Sims, for example - who's to say He isn't putting us in various cruel situations for his own amusement?
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Yeah, except the ladder trick doesn't work here. Dammit!
 
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