User talk:Cunado19/Conceptions of God

Does this template really need a crudely scratched-out version of the "Eye of Providence" symbol, which is certainly not an Islamic, Bahá'í, Sikh, Buddhist, or Hindu symbol, and which is extremely controversial in some contexts? It also seems to be displayed at a larger size than images in comparable templates. At least more attractive versions can be found at commons:Eye of Providence... AnonMoos 16:07, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

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I went through Commons and looked at all the religous symbols that may be more appropriate:

Baha'i ringstone: represents God's relationship with humanity.

Michelangelo's God's creation of Adam. (detail)

From an old Bible

From creationsim (believe it or not)

File:Stpetersbasilicaholyspiritwindow.jpg

Dove: representing the Holy Spirit

God: in Arabic

God is love

Aum, "symbolizing the infinite Brahman and the entire Universe."

Torah scroll

Khamsa pendant. This one was in like, every catagory.

Ek onkar, a Sikh symbol for the unity of God

A stylized version

Faravahar, a Zoroastrian symbol.

I have these organized alphabetically, by religion. I'd be fine with any of them. The Khamsa (I don't know why it's being called that. Khamsa just means 'five' in Arabic.) is closest to the current one but more attractive. The one that least belongs here is the Faravahar because it signifies more of how people should live than an understanding of God. My favorites are: Baha'i, Dove, God is love, Aum and Ek Onkar. -LambaJan 21:45, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

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I'm not sure you quite understand -- a symbol which is strongly identified with any one single religion wouldn't necessarily be very appropriate for this template, which rules out all of the images above except Creationism and Khamsa (and Khamsa is identified with folkloric amulets, rather than "conceptions of God"). Better the template have no image at all than an inappropriate image. AnonMoos 00:18, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

That makes sense, but earlier you made three criticisms of the Eye of Providence symbol: 1.- it's of low quality, 2.- it isn't associated with any of the religions in the template and 3.- it's controversial in some contexts. The images I found corrected points one and two, and arguably three.

Now you're making a new point, one that I wholeheartedly accept. I thought about it and doubted anyone would mind, but then I am a terrible optimist sometimes. I'll make the change. -LambaJan 04:49, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

Actually, the Eye of Providence symbol is associated with Christianity (i.e. only ONE of the religions mentioned in the template), which was the main problem. Of course, the Eye of Providence is also associated with Freemasonry and Bavarian Illuminati conspiracy theories (which is also kind of a problem)... AnonMoos 16:51, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

I would vote for the eye (a better quality image), the creationism sphere, or some kind of symbol for infinity. No symbol is fine too. Cuñado - Talk 07:14, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

color scheme

I messed around with the ugly color scheme and created this, and an anon changed it to this. I reverted. Although I admit mine is not perfect, I like it better. Any opinions? Cuñado - Talk 20:07, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

I like the other person's color scheme better (less of a doom-laden Goth vibe), but the blue fleur-de-lis is not particularly appropriate as an image... AnonMoos 00:04, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Well compare to the version of a few days ago here. The black image on white background looked horrible, and that's just about the only image we could agree on. Cuñado - Talk 01:58, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

The dark gray background of the box seems to suggest somberness... AnonMoos 14:24, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Hello, how about the Caduceus symbol in blue tone, representing the paths (the long spiral path and the straight and narrow one) that leads to God? (the example) Thank you. --213.58.54.32 14:04, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

It suggests medicine more than it does God, and is highly culture-specific... AnonMoos 14:24, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Indeed it does, as even Wikipedia recognizes it at the article on the Rosicrucian Physician Paracelsus «He summarized his own views: "Many have said of Alchemy, that it is for the making of gold and silver. For me such is not the aim, but to consider only what virtue and power may lie in medicines." (...) Indeed, the remnants of alchemical traditions can still be seen in modern medicine. For instance, the Caduceus has been adopted as the prime symbol of western medicine.» Yet, the Caduceus symbolism, which crosses different civilizations, since its inception has always been of God, our Father, the Great Physician of the Universe.

Wasn't Christ's command: "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew X, "Preach the gospel and heal the sick")? All in all, from this perspective, the universal Caduceus symbol also as a symbol applied to cure the sick becomes a major reason to be here presented as symbol of the conceptions of God (the other one being the currently misunderstood all-seeing-eye). Thanks. --213.58.54.32 15:47, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

new image

Maybe this will work (left). Compare to what's on the template now (right). Cuñado - Talk 20:34, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

Removal of inappropriate picture

I propose removing the picture. Several people have expressed the belief that no picture is better than a bad picture. The current one of an eclipse is no good. Some religions in the template do not concieve God as being a sun. Indeed, some of the religions do not believe God should be depicted. In any case the picture of an eclipse can confuse readers' understanding of a certain religion's conception of God. So far no picture has been provided that is worth having. Once, and if, such a picture is found, it can be included.--Agha Nader (talk) 06:17, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

If anything, the sun would be the most appropriate, because the sun is often an analogy for God's attributes: the source of life, exalted above our understanding, and shining on rich and poor alike. But that's not why that picture was chosen. It actually doesn't even look like a sun. I was looking for something that represented infinity, and a circular shape seemed appropriate. Cuñado ☼ - Talk 17:34, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

You say "the sun is often an analogy for God's attributes," is this true for all religions in the template? Indeed, the picture is contradictory to the Islamic conception of God. "No symbol is fine too" --Cuñado--Agha Nader (talk) 17:51, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

A year ago people disputed over what image to use and this picture of an eclipse was agreeable to everyone then. Just because one person comes along and dislikes its use, I don't see a need to change it. You're welcome to gain consensus and change it, but it's been used for a year without dispute. Cuñado ☼ - Talk 20:49, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

You may want to consider responding to my rebuttal instead of claiming that there is consensus on this issue. Michael Crichton has said, "Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled."--Agha Nader (talk) 01:40, 7 January 2008 (UTC)

I suggest you get an RFC and vote. I don't think I'll change my mind any time soon about the picture. Cuñado ☼ - Talk 18:32, 12 January 2008 (UTC)