Expert: Bob - 3/27/2004

Question
hello,
First of all, I am a lifelong Atheist even though I was brought up in the Roman Catholic tradition(baptised/confirmed(!) etc.). I once had to answer a philosophy question at Oxford University. I failed it because I had the flu and was unable to even think straight. Anyway, it goes  something like this:- If we accept the fact that God is omnipotent how can he arrange it so that he cannot lift a large rock with his finger? I may have got this question slightly  wrong as it was years ago and I can't remember the exact wording. Anyway, if you can answer this question I would be most grateful.
Geoff Purcell

Answer
Hello Geoff,
  Many religions teach that "God' is not only omnipotent but also omnipresent. In this case, to be omnipresent he would also, due to a lack of physical being, have to be omniabsent. Lacking a physical being would preclude him from being able to lift something with a nonexistant finger.
Anyway, that's my guess.
                            Bob