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Single Idea 19452

[filed under theme 28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 4. God Reflects Humanity ]

Full Idea

God is the manifestation of man's inner nature, his expressed self.

Gist of Idea

The nature of God is an expression of human nature

Source

Ludwig Feuerbach (Introduction of 'Essence of Christianity' [1841], II)

Book Ref

Feuerbach,Ludwig: 'The Fiery Brook: Selected Writings', ed/tr. Hanfi,Zawar [Anchor 1972], p.109


A Reaction

Even if you are a deeply committed theist, you have to concede some of this point. The perfections attributed to God are usually of human qualities. Leibniz, though, says that God has an infinity of perfection, mostly unknown to us.


The 8 ideas from 'Introduction of 'Essence of Christianity''

When absorbed in deep reflection, is your reason in control, or is it you? [Feuerbach]
Reason, love and will are the highest perfections and essence of man - the purpose of his life [Feuerbach]
Consciousness is said to distinguish man from animals - consciousness of his own species [Feuerbach]
Religion is the consciousness of the infinite [Feuerbach]
Today's atheism will tomorrow become a religion [Feuerbach]
A God needs justice, kindness and wisdom, but those concepts don't depend on the concept of God [Feuerbach]
The nature of God is an expression of human nature [Feuerbach]
If love, goodness and personality are human, the God who is their source is anthropomorphic [Feuerbach]