If absolute power corrupts absolutely then where does that leave God?

Question: If absolute power corrupts absolutely then where does that leave God!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Does God HAVE absolute power if he/she gave US free will!?!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

The phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely" is meant to provide insight into human nature!. Like most sayings, it is man-made, meant to serve as an approximation of reality, and not meant to be taken to the literal extreme and be thought of as somehow a universal law of nature!. There is ample evidence in history of leaders who were still able to maintain the high road and serve as benevolent rulers!.

If there is a god, then this saying obviously would not apply to him!. Or alternatively, then you can assume that the word mankind is implied!. Ie!. Absolute power in the hands of men corrupts men absolutely!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Scripture teaches that God is ultimately in authority over all of the rulers of the earth!. The book of Isaiah is a very interesting read on this matter; both in the King James and in the New International version!. God reminds man that He is their Creator and therefore the ultimate master of their destiny!. He frowns upon human vanity and madness for power!. He seeks true fellowship with those He has made in His own image!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I personally don't believe this is true!.!.!.!.!.!. at least not always!. There have been powerful people who were not (seemingly) corrupt!.

I think the idea is more true when revised to "Those that seek power are easily corruptable!."

Usually power is sought, then acquired!.!.!.!.!. as such it would seem that those that wish to have power over others are easily corrupted (or corrupt from the start)!. When you think about it, what type of person would wish to have power over the masses!.!.!.!.!.!.!. not exactly the greatest guy/gal!.

It has also been said (quite rightly IMO) that good leaders have power thrust upon them!. They are unwilling recipients of power, who take it because of duty and honor!. For instance George Washington was elected first President because he was a well known figure from the military and had done good things!. He was offered a lifetime position, but instead decided to leave after only 8 years!.!.!.!.!.!.!. He is still known as the greatest president in our history!.!.!.!.!. because power was thrust upon him unwillingly (at least partially)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Absolute power only corrupts if left in the wrong hands!. Just world history has not seen any dictator, aristocrat, or what have you, who has been benevolent, isn't sufficient to conclude that absolute power itself corrupts absolutely, only that it corrupts thus far, in all cases, throughout history!.

Note: I actually don't believe in God, so I'm not defending God here!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

god is all-everything, which includes all-good and all-powerful!.

this reminds me of the saying can god make a rock so heavy that he can't lift it!? This is a cute linguistic trick, not something real; moreover, logical laws wouldn't apply to omnipotent beings, so it's a moot point!.

God is not able to be corrupted; to say he is able to be corrupted would imply that there is some part of him that is not all powerful, but finite, that he can be overcome by corruption, for example!. If god is not all powerful, then he is god in name only!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I hope Lord Acton doesn't know where you live !

He said that about people who could or could not exercise power!. God existed before all those people (1) and He confers whatever power there is (2)!.

My turn:
"A little knowledge is a dang'rous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring!." Where does this leave you !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

the answer to the question is dependent upon the individuals conception of god!. if the god in question is the judeo-christian god then you have to keep in mind!. this is the same god that when the jews made it to the promised land, told them to kill every man woman and child that lived there!. today we would call that genocide!. sounds a bit corrupted to me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't know, but there's no god and absolute power does not corrupt everybody absolutely!. only lots of people!.

and i second JJ's post as well!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

laughing!.!.!.if we cant handle that power we will never handle his ABSOLUTE powerWww@QuestionHome@Com

Well, he did set Adam up to be deceived, leaving us with Original Sin!. He was probably rubbing his hands in glee when Adam took the apple!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

God is the source of the corruption!. If rain causes rust, can rain rust!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

God is Love, not Power!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A lesser God !.Www@QuestionHome@Com