SecularFuture

I hope this Part II doesn't confuse people too much. I tried to keep it as organized as possible. The last thread (part I) was full of too much anger. It needed a new start. That is why I requested that there be a Part II.

:boohoo:

Aradia

Why?

You aren't my therapist. You can't answer my questions with more questions.

You also have yet to show that nothing good can come from theistic religion.

SecularFuture

Aradia
(In response to: “It’s bad when a philosophy promotes magical thinking before critical thinking.”)

What good can come from magical thinking, especially when there is no basis for that thinking? Religious theism makes it okay to jump to conclusions, to label something as being magical when it can’t be explained naturally. Unlike magical thinking, critical thinking is more ‘critical’, rational, and sophisticated. Critical thinking is all about investigating, forming hypotheses from evidence and information, and digging deep for the truth.

The only thing good that comes from religion is comfort, but it’s a false comfort that comes from the irrational concept of magical thinking.

Aradia

Prove that it's false comfort.

SecularFuture

Gaining comfort from concepts that are without logic, evidence, or reason is a false comfort.

And I see that you didn't have much to say about my statement on magical and critical thinking. Thats good. It must have hit a nerve.

Aradia

If comfort is gained, it is still comfort. You must show that comfort is *not* actually gained in order for it to be false comfort. Try again.

Actually, it's because I erased what I was originally going to say. What you wrote was gibberish. You have yet to show why it's ok to generalise about theistic religion, but it's not ok to generalise about transhumanism. The only thing you've shown is arrogance and prejudice.

And, FYI, I don't believe in anything supernatural, so there is no nerve to hit. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. You'll just make yourself look foolish.

SecularFuture

Aradia
Fine. Critical thinking is STILL more efficient than magical thinking.

Because theistic religion promotes the idea of magical thinking.

As I said in my Transhumanism Part I thread:
“Through magical thinking we are left with the art of childish thinking, the art of jumping to conclusions, and blind faith-based decision making.”

Hell no its not!

Then why are you talking like you do?

I read your bio, but -- from the way you talk -- I’m having a hard time believing it. What are you trying to accomplish here? Or are you just here to have a little fun?

Aradia

I agree wholeheartedly. But that does not take away from the comfort that theistic religion *can* provide. Note that "can" is not the same as "does".

So it's ok to generalise on anything that promotes magical thinking? Then you are nothing more than a bigot, like all other bigots.

*grin*

I'm not talking like I do. You just assume that anyone who disagrees with you must automatically believe in supernatural concepts. You don't have to believe anything about me. I'm an atheist, and I'm a buddhist, and your opinion doesn't change that.

I'm here for the same reasons I go to christian forums. Because I believe that animosity towards other belief systems is a Bad Thing(tm), and because it's hella fun.

SecularFuture

Aradia
Magical thinking may come in different forms, but -- after all is said and done -- magical thinking is still magical thinking. And didn’t you just “wholeheartedly agree” with me that critical thinking is more efficient than magical thinking? Why should we just accept religions that say “its okay” to put less efficient concepts before the more efficient ones?

What’s with the (tm)? If a religion interferes with the progress with humankind (theism), it sucks and should be destroyed, IMHO.

Its also good for the brain.

Aradia

Yes, I agreed. So what? Sometimes it is ok to put less efficient concepts before more efficient ones. Stop assuming everything is black and white.

It's a jargon thing.

Religion doesn't interfere. People interfere. You need a better understanding of exactly who the enemy is.