Freethought & Rationalism Archive

DNAReplicator · 04-12-2006, 11:44 AM

What if you are right?

Billions of people, throughout the history of humanity will have been mistaken. Will they have given their resources their time and often their lives for nothing? And after their brief time on this world, will they have become no more than dust and fading memories despite the promises?

And if so, are you not fortunate to be able to live your life without having to suffer the same loss?

Mageth · 04-12-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carin Nel

Surprise! Yes, He is seeking just those ones you are talking about. Yes!
It does not matter what you believe, what you've done, who you are, where you come from. He wants YOU. Forget your belief system, what your convictions are...whether you're an Agnostic Theist, a, Atheis, an infidel, heithen, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Satanist, Buddit, pantheist, you name it, God wants YOU.

You're preaching again, Carin Nel. This forum is for discussion, not preaching.

Mageth · 04-12-2006, 12:00 PM

This thread is related to a particular aspect of many religions that bothers me.

The notion that (a particular) belief is required to gain some reward and/or to escape some punishment.

I can see no reason to view that notion as anything but absurd.

Consider the hypothetical "omniscient" God. Supposedly this God is some sort of perfect being, with perfect knowledge. Perfection.

Well, that perfect being would not have to believe anything, would it?
I can't see as how "belief" would or could be part of its nature.

So why would it require belief, which is foreign to it, from us?

Selsaral · 04-12-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carin Nel

Surprise! Yes, He is seeking just those ones you are talking about. Yes!
It does not matter what you believe, what you've done, who you are, where you come from. He wants YOU. Forget your belief system, what your convictions are...whether you're an Agnostic Theist, a, Atheis, an infidel, heithen, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Satanist, Buddit, pantheist, you name it, God wants YOU.

Uncle Sam isn't spelled 'God'.

rainbow walking · 04-12-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maronan

Well, for one thing, Pascal's Wager would go out the window.

Indeed...

rainbow walking · 04-12-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNAReplicator

What if you are right?

Billions of people, throughout the history of humanity will have been mistaken. Will they have given their resources their time and often their lives for nothing? And after their brief time on this world, will they have become no more than dust and fading memories despite the promises?

And if so, are you not fortunate to be able to live your life without having to suffer the same loss?

And that is the point, isn't it. To remain dedicated to truth attained by mental effort rather than succumbing to the appeal of faith and seeking unearned knowledge via revelation.

rainbow walking · 04-12-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agnostic Theist

Surely the theist who rejects religion is more likely to be rewarded by that criteria?

(Yeah, I'm that kind of theist, sue me if I don't send you a postcard from heaven

)

Just don't send it C.O.D. or I'll have to sue you for the postage.

rainbow walking · 04-12-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carin Nel

Surprise! Yes, He is seeking just those ones you are talking about. Yes!
It does not matter what you believe, what you've done, who you are, where you come from. He wants YOU. Forget your belief system, what your convictions are...whether you're an Agnostic Theist, a, Atheis, an infidel, heithen, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Satanist, Buddit, pantheist, you name it, God wants YOU.

Seeking? Oh no, you've got it all bassackwards. He's laid out the challenge and just waiting for men of reason, thru centuries of painstaking effort, to break down the doors of heaven and evict all those slothful faith handlers and claim our rightful ownership of the premises.

Agnostic Theist · 04-12-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbow walking

Just don't send it C.O.D. or I'll have to sue you for the postage.

What do you mean 'have to'. You know you'll want to

Gawen · 04-12-2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNAReplicator

Billions of people, throughout the history of humanity will have been mistaken. Will they have given their resources their time and often their lives for nothing? And after their brief time on this world, will they have become no more than dust and fading memories despite the promises?

Well, those that had the faith and turned to dust would never know it....would they.

Quote:

And if so, are you not fortunate to be able to live your life without having to suffer the same loss?

A pyrhic victory to be sure. "HEY! I made it! RW was right!.....ummmm...now what do I do?"

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04-12-2006, 11:44 AM	#11
DNAReplicator Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London Posts: 234	What if you are right? Billions of people, throughout the history of humanity will have been mistaken. Will they have given their resources their time and often their lives for nothing? And after their brief time on this world, will they have become no more than dust and fading memories despite the promises? And if so, are you not fortunate to be able to live your life without having to suffer the same loss?

04-12-2006, 12:00 PM	#13
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	This thread is related to a particular aspect of many religions that bothers me. The notion that (a particular) belief is required to gain some reward and/or to escape some punishment. I can see no reason to view that notion as anything but absurd. Consider the hypothetical "omniscient" God. Supposedly this God is some sort of perfect being, with perfect knowledge. Perfection. Well, that perfect being would not have to believe anything, would it? I can't see as how "belief" would or could be part of its nature. So why would it require belief, which is foreign to it, from us?

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