Chapter 1: The Divine Dilemma

What changes would you consider if you were to assume the role of God? This intriguing question is far from straightforward. It compels us to engage with the concepts of free will and omniscience. Here is where our exploration begins.

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Most people would instinctively wish to eliminate suffering and establish equality among all individuals. However, before we delve deeper, we must define what this ideal world would look like. Would it mean the absence of pain, the presence of fairness, and universal contentment? While there are numerous questions to consider, they seem easier to accept compared to the current state of affairs.

Let’s now visualize this transformed world. Defining suffering itself is a complex task. Common forms of suffering include famine, illness, warfare, homelessness, and mortality. While these issues indeed cause immense pain, they also cultivate hope, resilience, and opportunities for growth within humanity. At this juncture, you might find yourself questioning which forms of suffering, if any, should persist in order to preserve the positives they yield. If you begin to weigh the value of certain hardships, your initial task as a deity becomes complicated.

Suffering is subjective; it varies significantly across individuals. The pain of losing a pet or a loved one, facing defeat in a game, or experiencing job loss can be profound. How would one go about eliminating these experiences? Your thoughts might shift towards modifying emotions or perceptions of pain—a risky endeavor, as tampering with human feelings can lead to unintended consequences. Thus, the notion of alleviating suffering remains unresolved as your initial minutes in divine authority unfold.

If we were to critique your approach so far, it might seem as though you desire a world of emotionless beings, devoid of suffering.

Now, let’s shift our focus to achieving fairness, which might appear more manageable. However, this too presents its own challenges. Consider the heartbreak of parents who have lost children to drunk driving; restoring their children would indeed be a fair resolution, wouldn’t it? Such a scenario intertwines both suffering and fairness. As God, how would you address this painful reality? The complexity of your thoughts might be overwhelming as you search for a solution.

At this point, you may find yourself rethinking your strategy for managing the world. You might even contemplate starting anew. However, this leads to another dilemma: restarting from such a distant point would erase your own existence. If you wish to recreate the world with your current understanding, you would need to erase all memories, including your own.

You could argue that, as God, this memory wipe is within your power. But is this the type of deity you aspire to be? More questions and potential solutions are emerging in your grand design.

Bringing this idea closer to home, consider the role of parenting. In many ways, it mirrors the responsibilities of a deity. Your children are akin to infants, destined to navigate a world you know intimately. We recognize that shielding them from all harm isn’t beneficial in the long run, just as allowing them total freedom can be detrimental. Striking a balance—teaching them to approach life with open minds while accepting that they will encounter challenges—ultimately prepares them to grow stronger through the inevitable ups and downs.

Each of us has a unique role to fulfill in our lives. Picture a body composed of various parts—legs, arms, torso, head, and so forth—each with distinct functions. Imagining toes attempting to fulfill the role of the head might be amusing, but in reality, toes have their vital purpose: without them, walking becomes impossible.

Rather than believing we can fulfill the role of God better or identifying flaws in the creator’s design that could improve our lives, it may be more fruitful to embrace our own positions. This can be challenging, especially if life has dealt you a difficult hand. However, even considering the last century, your current circumstances may be more favorable than those faced by many in the past.

Join me on this journey of exploration.

The first video, "What Would You Do If You Were God? - Alan Watts," dives into the philosophical implications of divine authority and human experience, challenging viewers to reflect on their own beliefs.

The second video, "Why Doesn't God Just Show Himself?" explores the reasons behind divine invisibility and the nature of faith, prompting a deeper understanding of belief and existence.