Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Newton Joseph · 06-13-2004, 02:18 PM

New 10
The best psychological explanation that I can think of that explains why intelligent and educated people believe in God. When one looks at the beauty of a view from a mountaintop or the exquisite beauty of things in nature like our galaxy the Milky Way. It is difficult to imagine that it is 10 million light years from the earth or the formation of the Grand Canyon, which took millions of years to form. People see these wonders and are overwhelmed by their magnificence. To this, people call it by the name of God. In other words, it is the grandeur of their EXPERIENCE they call God.

Ellis14 · 06-13-2004, 03:48 PM

A reasonable assumption.

Being an ex-theist myself, I know what it feels like to feel God. Once you realise that these are just feelings that can be attributed to anything, or caused by anything, it dawns on you that all you believe in is a feeling, and nothing more.

I think the sense of wonder, joy, and mystery all together, that humans experience is easily attributed to God, especially when you have been conditioned to think that he exists.

06-13-2004, 02:18 PM	#1
Newton Joseph Banned Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 496	A Psychological Explanation New 10 The best psychological explanation that I can think of that explains why intelligent and educated people believe in God. When one looks at the beauty of a view from a mountaintop or the exquisite beauty of things in nature like our galaxy the Milky Way. It is difficult to imagine that it is 10 million light years from the earth or the formation of the Grand Canyon, which took millions of years to form. People see these wonders and are overwhelmed by their magnificence. To this, people call it by the name of God. In other words, it is the grandeur of their EXPERIENCE they call God.

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06-13-2004, 03:48 PM	#2
Ellis14 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: England Posts: 3,934	A reasonable assumption. Being an ex-theist myself, I know what it feels like to feel God. Once you realise that these are just feelings that can be attributed to anything, or caused by anything, it dawns on you that all you believe in is a feeling, and nothing more. I think the sense of wonder, joy, and mystery all together, that humans experience is easily attributed to God, especially when you have been conditioned to think that he exists.

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