Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Zar · 03-26-2002, 09:37 AM

Why does every Tom, Dick, Harry, Jane, June and Sally who has got religion always speak as if they know God's precise wishes on everything? It boggles the mind how flippantly they ascribe their opinion of what God wants to what he actually wants. It is second nature to them when it should be something they are extremely fearful of doing, lest they blaspheme God. I would say it was an astounding kind of insane hubris that motivates people to do this if it weren't so damn common. It seems that flippantly speaking on God's behalf is taught to the flock from Sunday School to adulthood and it never occurs to them that they are:

1) Proving over and over and over just how easy it is to invent a religion, and how hard it is to believe that the Bible was necessarily inspired. Anyone can invent things for God to say in 5 minutes over coffee.
2) Demonstrating the dangerous aspects of imbuing what any human being says with the authority of God. People can say the darndest things, but put the power of the Holy One behind it and it somehow deserves consideration.

I feel like saying to them what (I think) the physicist Schrodinger said to Einstein when he kept denying the plausibility of quantum theory by constantly using the line "God does not play dice" as his defense. He said, "Stop telling God what to do!"

03-26-2002, 11:17 AM

The best thing is that they always disagree on the details. That's why there are so many flavours of religion.

Beelzebub · 03-27-2002, 08:14 AM

Actually, I think it was Neils Bohr.

Godless Dave · 03-27-2002, 09:45 AM

Have you guys seen the "God" billboards? They say things like "I love you, I love you, I love you. - God" and "Stop using my name in vain or I'll make rush hour longer. -God". If I had my druthers and a few thousand bucks I'd commission one that said "Stop putting words in my mouth! -God". Unfortunately there's only one billboard company in town, and based on how much business Pro-Life Minnesota gives them they may not want my business.

ex-preacher · 03-27-2002, 10:32 AM

How 'bout this for a billboard:
"Sorry about September 11. I promise to do better next time. -- God"

James AD · 03-27-2002, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zar:
<strong>...It boggles the mind how flippantly they ascribe their opinion of what God wants to what he actually wants. It is second nature to them when it should be something they are extremely fearful of doing, lest they blaspheme God...</strong>

That was exactly the problem I saw, when I was exploring Christianity and thinking there might be something to it. It slowly become clear that faith is just a pretend game. The reason I cannot hear "God" is because I will not pretend, not because I will not listen. I think you have touched on the core of what religion is all about.

Zar · 03-27-2002, 08:22 PM

Beel,

Thanks for the correction. It was Bohr.

DMB,

I wish they'd forget the details and see what is quite obvious.

ex-preacher,

To what organization do I give my 10 bucks to support the billboard idea? (Sorry, I'm not writing you a personal check)

James AD,

There's a reason there aren't many deists. Their God isn't around to take orders, run errands and smite people.

pescifish · 03-27-2002, 08:39 PM

sure.
but then, so are you.

CX · 03-28-2002, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ex-preacher:
<strong>How 'bout this for a billboard:
"Sorry about September 11. I promise to do better next time. -- God"</strong>

Or better yet

"Sorry about September 11 but you really pissed me off with all the gays and feminists and crap like that so I was in the john taking a Xanax and I wasn't paying attention. -- God"

The Naked Mage · 03-28-2002, 07:39 AM

"Medammit, I just pop across the street for a couple minutes to get some head, and look what you idiots get into! - God"

03-26-2002, 09:37 AM	#1
Zar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 3,477	Are YOU God? Why does every Tom, Dick, Harry, Jane, June and Sally who has got religion always speak as if they know God's precise wishes on everything? It boggles the mind how flippantly they ascribe their opinion of what God wants to what he actually wants. It is second nature to them when it should be something they are extremely fearful of doing, lest they blaspheme God. I would say it was an astounding kind of insane hubris that motivates people to do this if it weren't so damn common. It seems that flippantly speaking on God's behalf is taught to the flock from Sunday School to adulthood and it never occurs to them that they are: 1) Proving over and over and over just how easy it is to invent a religion, and how hard it is to believe that the Bible was necessarily inspired. Anyone can invent things for God to say in 5 minutes over coffee. 2) Demonstrating the dangerous aspects of imbuing what any human being says with the authority of God. People can say the darndest things, but put the power of the Holy One behind it and it somehow deserves consideration. I feel like saying to them what (I think) the physicist Schrodinger said to Einstein when he kept denying the plausibility of quantum theory by constantly using the line "God does not play dice" as his defense. He said, "Stop telling God what to do!"

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03-26-2002, 11:17 AM	#2
DMB Guest Posts: n/a	The best thing is that they always disagree on the details. That's why there are so many flavours of religion.

03-27-2002, 08:14 AM	#3
Beelzebub Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Connecticut Posts: 554	Actually, I think it was Neils Bohr.

03-27-2002, 09:45 AM	#4
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Have you guys seen the "God" billboards? They say things like "I love you, I love you, I love you. - God" and "Stop using my name in vain or I'll make rush hour longer. -God". If I had my druthers and a few thousand bucks I'd commission one that said "Stop putting words in my mouth! -God". Unfortunately there's only one billboard company in town, and based on how much business Pro-Life Minnesota gives them they may not want my business.

03-27-2002, 10:32 AM	#5
ex-preacher Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: University of Arkansas Posts: 1,033	How 'bout this for a billboard: "Sorry about September 11. I promise to do better next time. -- God"

03-27-2002, 08:22 PM	#7
Zar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 3,477	Beel, Thanks for the correction. It was Bohr. DMB, I wish they'd forget the details and see what is quite obvious. ex-preacher, To what organization do I give my 10 bucks to support the billboard idea? (Sorry, I'm not writing you a personal check) James AD, There's a reason there aren't many deists. Their God isn't around to take orders, run errands and smite people.

03-27-2002, 08:39 PM	#8
pescifish Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: rural part of los angeles, CA Posts: 4,516	sure. but then, so are you.

03-28-2002, 07:39 AM	#10
The Naked Mage Veteran Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Execution State, USA Posts: 5,031	"Medammit, I just pop across the street for a couple minutes to get some head, and look what you idiots get into! - God"

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