dubmeup wrote:
G'day Dubmeup.

I'm doing well mate, doing well (so well I stated it twice ).
dubmeup wrote:

dubmeup wrote:
I had an inkling.
dubmeup wrote:
Actually, I didn't ask. I stated, "If you could explain to me how it is pos­si­ble with­out the above four points I’ll most def­i­nitely take it into con­sid­er­a­tion.", no question mark, and I REALLY would be interested IF Quietgirl (or anyone else) was able to explain it to me. Personally, I have yet to hear / read an explanation that doesn't rely upon at least one of the four points that I posted. This is why I stated, "If you could ...", though I could have emphasised the "could" to make that clearer.

You see, I REALLY do not get it. Oh, I get that there are collective and individual reasons why an individual would choose to believe in 'God'. They can range from a fear of what happens when you die, to being part of a collective that has the same belief. While I can comprehend that, it doesn't square to me with rational thought and logic.

For instance, to believe in 'God' because the bible states that 'God' is real is a logical fallacy, it's circular reasoning. Here's another example ...


A logical fallacy is inconsistent with rational thought. So when rational thought and logic, two faculties of the mind, are dismissed, then I REALLY do not get it. After all, why would anyone dismiss their inherent abilities of rational thought and logic ?

I also get why you might think that it is "poor form", however (you saw that coming huh ), I haven't made any personal commentary about Quietgirl and have simply supplied a reasoning as to why I think the way I do about the christian religion.
dubmeup wrote:
I posted a direct response to Quietgirl because it IS a direct response to her. It is my explanation to her as to why I think the way that I do about the christian religion. Personally, I'd rather someone directly respond to me instead of posting an aside commentary about something that I had posted. This is why I appreciate you making a direct post to me about this issue and why I have taken the time to respond with an explanation.

I AM ALL I AM wrote:
Pedant

No seriously, good response. Ta

Just for the record, I would like to apologise to Mandy and anyone else I may have offended when talking about church folks. We all have some friends and family that are 'religious' and I am not judging folks based on what they choose to believe. I was speaking based upon certain individuals that I know personally who I have had many conversations with.

Mountain wrote:
Thanks, mountain - but please don't worry! I wasn't offended!

Mandy

I think church folk are great,and they have really good cook out's and social functions,I lean toward no particular religion, so whichever free meal or party I go to,I carry a little book on that particular belief as a conversation helper.

No I'm not. I think something/someone created us in a deliberate way, using the DNA of primates and other things. Over time we have absorbed or become part of a universal energy that empowers us. I think that when we die, that energy moves back to the source, or into another vessel. The energy does not have form, individual thought, or a self, it just is. We aren't infinite, we have a shelf life. That energy is infinite. Our minds, or subconscious minds are connected to that infinity.

quietgirl wrote:
Glad to hear, Mandy
Rick wrote:
Yes one thing I admire about churches, sometimes they throw barbeques and give out free dinners, mainly to the homeless and those in need. Seeing that always makes me smile

Yes, most of the church-going folks I know are thoroughly decent people, really trying to make a difference.

I've been giving some of the questions and POVs put forward on this thread some thought and I think that one of the reasons I have developed a faith is because I have been through so much, health-wise and in other ways too. I think that having a faith has helped me make sense of it all, and has certainly helped me cope. So I guess you could say that on one level it's an emotional crutch, but hey! it's healthier than turning to drugs or alcohol!

Mandy

I AM ALL I AM wrote:
OMG

@ 3:34

If atheists are so bad, then how come AtheistZilla never attacked Toyko and GodZilla did?
Atheists: 1
God: 0

Then again... if god isnt real, why does the kleenex pop back up when you take one?

...the debate continues...

Mountain wrote:
I've not read through the full thread yet but I would say as a fellow non-believer that I don't have an issue with people who are religious but don't impose it on others. I reserve my contempt for the assholes who use their faith as a means to control others, particularly the ones in the US bible belt.

I don't regard these latter creatures as being real Christians anyway - these people are the complete antithesis to what Jesus (assuming he existed) actually stood for. He threw the bankers out of the temple, challenged hypocrites (let he who is without sin cast the first stone) and said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get to heaven. If he did come back, the Westboro Baptists would probably nail him up again.

One comment I've seen earlier in the thread is the old "atheism is a religion" canard. This appears to be an argument from incredulity. Belief in a god is so central to that individual's belief system that they just don't get the concept of people existing without such a belief. I can sympathise to an extent: I get the same sort of thing when I encounter people who claim they don't like The Prodigy.