Plognark

That my senses are reasonably consistent and adequate enough to analyze the world around me.

Not sure if they apply. You could probably define it as rational skepticism, maybe naturalism.

Nope.

A man made concept, a social tool, of sorts.

I withhold belief due to a pronounced lack of evidence.

Spirit: I guess it kind of translates to vitality, liveliness. Nothing metaphysical about it from my perspective.

Soul: Like the god concept, strikes me as a type of social tool or concept, but little more.

Ego: Pride, self esteem, stuff like that. A psychological concept.

Nope. Well, maybe the word soul does, but only in that the two conepts are often discussed together.

Suspension of critical thinking and self honesty.

This question probably isn't applicable to me. I would think that if some sort of god, as a creator entity of our existence, does exist, then no, I don't think it would particularly care about those little details.

I doubt a being that would create this universe is interested in judging anything, especially not petty human moral decisions.

Emotional Comfort, Peer acceptance, fitting in with the crowd, Childhood training/indoctrination, and apathy. Some people seem to take it a step further and believe due to personal experience (revalations) but I strongly doubt that they are valid experiences. Some people may be persuaded by logical arguments, but I've yet to see even one that doesn't fall apart under even modest scrutiny.

So when it comes down to it, I think people are either fooling themselves or just going with the flow.

A lot of people like this seem to get hit by the problem of evil, usually relating to a personal tragedy. Some are just doing it to go with the flow, same with theists. Some go far enough that they actually take an unbiased look at things and just go where the logic and the evidence leads.

So far, not a single thing.

If some over-arching creator entity exists, then no, I don't think it would bother with such places.

Not applicable.

Everything dies. Then we're worm chow.

I don't know. Most likely, nothing. Oblivion, if you will.

That's tricky. Reproduction, response to stimuli, growth, metabolism, motion...those are all key to my mind. That's a very broad definition though. Living and non living things can be excluded from this criteria easily, so it's not perfect. For example, viruses could be included, and sterile creatures like mules would be excluded.

It's a harder question to answer than you'd at first think.

Nah, I'm good.

Namaste

Now, that's certainly enough! Please, don't bother writing again! You are being polemical and judgemental and that's not the point here.
Isn't there a limit to everythingo? Have you ever wondered in which language I wanted to publish my research? I think you should think twice before writing such things...

post tenebras lux

Hi Namaste (if you're still around). I hope you stay and explore IIDB at leisure.

One question that puzzles me is: why do you keep capitalising 'god' as 'God'?

Another question that puzzles me is: why do you appear to be focusing on 'a god', rather than allowing for 'god(s)'?

Thanks in advance.

Luxie

Namaste

Oh, because it's a form of respect to me, that's all. But pluralistic gods are welcome of course. I don't want to limit myself to one god, if some people believe there exist several ones of them. I have no problem whatsoever with that...

Namaste

You can even state that problem in the 19th question I gave you. That's why I had that particular question, just because I can't think of all the questions possible on god or gods...

Buffman

Humans are the quintessential judging organism. That is perfectly normal...even healthy. What is also perfectly normal...but not so healthy...is judging based on faulty knowledge. Are you not making judgments about each post? Of course you are, just as we all are. So what you might give more consideration is the accuracy of your knowledge (and commensurate beliefs/opinions) compared to the accuracy of the knowledge of others. That is why I posted the Robert Heinlein quote. I have used it to better sort the wheat (accurate opinions) from the chaff (faulty opinions).

Having been around these particular forums longer than you, I tend to sense frustration rather than enmity.

How is an accurate opinion/belief destroyed? Personally, I consider it my moral responsibility to confront faulty opinions/beliefs with the most accurate knowledge available to me. Since you welcome constructive criticism, are you not actually welcoming accurate knowledge? Accurate knowledge is not concerned with destroying people's opinions. It is concerned with providing the verifiable evidence that is used to enlighten those opinions/beliefs.

Might I recommend that you wait until you can determine just how accurate your survey is on this issue. Please let me know when it is finished. I feel sure that many of the contributors would like to review any conclusions you draw from the data...and it has become very frustrating that none of the other so-called book writer, survey takers, have ever provided a finished product.

John A. Broussard

If you're annoyed by someone's postings, there are a variety of ways of dealing with the problem. The first one that occurs to me is that you could just not read them. The second one is that you could go someplace else where you are more welcome and less likely to be annoyed.

If you want more suggestions, I'll be happy to supply them.

speedy1

1) What is your faith?

None. I am a believer in reason, which I believe cannot coexist with faith.


2) What are its basic principles?

n/a


3) Do you believe in God?

No


4) What is God to you?

God is a force conjured up by primitive people, to help them cope with what was not understandable to them.


5) Why do you believe God exists or doesn’t exist?

I really don't know. So far, there is not a shread of evidence that a God exists. Actually, for me, the entire concept of God is a non-issue.

6) What do the following words mean to you: spirit, soul, and ego?

Spirit- A person's essence, that makes him unique from all other individuals.

Soul- The word has no meaning for me.

Ego- A person's sense of self.


7) According to you, do the aforementionned words relate to God?

The word "soul" does, but only in conjunction with the concept of a God.


8) What do you think has to be personally done in order to feel closer to God?

I cannot feel closer to an entity that I do not believe exists.


9) Do you think that God may disapprove of some things we do?

That does not "compute". A non-entity is incapable of approval or disapproval.


10) Why do you think it may be so?

I don't

11) Why do you think people believe in God?

People believe in God for comfort, and the assurance that something else holds the responsibility for their lives. Many people are not comfortable in making their own decisions, and "the word of God" gives them an easy way out of that problem.


12) Why do you think some people don’t believe in God?

There is absolutely no proof, or even indication, that a God exists.


13) What evidence do you see that proves God’s existence?

None


14) Does your conception of God include notions such as heaven and hell?

Only as it would apply to believers. As for me, those terms have no meaning.


15) In this case, what is their link with God?

I don't see any.


16) What is your view on death?

It is the end point of life.


17) According to you, what happens after death?

I believe in the first law of thermodynamics. You can't create or destroy energy. When a person dies, his body is returned to the earth.


18) What is your personal definition of life?

I don't have a personal definition, so I will answer straight from the dictionary:

1. The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.

19) Is there something I forgot to ask you and that you would like to talk about? Feel free to discuss anything here.

Why are you writing this book? What is your agenda in asking these questions? Yes, I do think that you are attempting to throw out a line to someone who is unsure of his beliefs, and attempt to convert.


Let's hope that you won't think I want to convert you!

Splarnst

It's notable that people tend not to think people have poor reasons for agreeing with them just as long as they agree with them. So what? You tell me. It's just a simple observation. I'm not trying to build an argument off of it.

Splarnst

That any discussion of "god" when you mean "nature" is just confusing and misleading.