Freethought & Rationalism Archive

philechat · 12-19-2002, 10:48 PM

Not a theist, but here's a quick snatch from Jewish theology, which actually makes some sense (let's suspend disbelief for a while):

1. The universe is created by God. That is, our universe cannot exist without God bringing it into being.

2. We cannot know exactly the nature of this God, but our existence is dependent on His will.

3. God alone can create and destroy life. It's not that we have any psychological "need" of God, but that God alone dictates our life and death on this earth. Therefore, we should not blame God when He takes away our lives.

We can counter such thinking by applying the famous question of Adam in Paradise Lost. For if it's not our will to exist, why did God create us in the first place?

I wrote something similar in a story of mine:

So the gods created us by their will, and then expect their creation to pay tribute to them, all because they happened to create us for fun? If they created us because they wanted to, why do we have to respond to them since it was their will to create, not our will to exist?

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: philechat ]</p>

Rousseau_CHN · 12-20-2002, 01:47 AM

Amie,

Should atheist be be anti-theist?

I think so.

Should they be violent against theism?

That is another topic.

Isn't it sad to see the father (see example from last post) subverting his belief just to satisfy a child's homework?

Or that lover boy so that he wouldn't upset his girlfriend?

Isn't is sad that we should always hide under anonymity just to please people around us?

Can we not say to our friends and relatives that 'oh yeah, I believe your religion is a crap, but we can still each other on sundays."

I guess human relationships is just too important...that we could fake our beliefs.

Now isn't that sad?

crocodile deathroll · 12-20-2002, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadownought:
Can any of the theists on the board tell me why humans need a god?

Why do you believe in one, and why would humans be better off worshipping something which we have no indication even exists?

Why should humans believe in and worship a god?

[Edited for clarity]

I feel it is largely "epistemological putty" which is <a href="http://www.biblebabble.com/gapgod.htm" target="_blank"> Gaps in Knowledge + Inability to Accept Mysteries = God </a>

crocodile deathroll · 12-20-2002, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rousseau_CHN:
<strong>Amie,

Should they be violent against theism?

Now isn't that sad?</strong>

History has showed us that theists are a lot more violent against other thiests. Take take the current war on terrorism as an example. So it is far safer to believe in no God that the wrong God

[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: crocodile deathroll ]</p>

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12-19-2002, 10:48 PM	#31
philechat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mind of the Other Posts: 886	Not a theist, but here's a quick snatch from Jewish theology, which actually makes some sense (let's suspend disbelief for a while): 1. The universe is created by God. That is, our universe cannot exist without God bringing it into being. 2. We cannot know exactly the nature of this God, but our existence is dependent on His will. 3. God alone can create and destroy life. It's not that we have any psychological "need" of God, but that God alone dictates our life and death on this earth. Therefore, we should not blame God when He takes away our lives. We can counter such thinking by applying the famous question of Adam in Paradise Lost. For if it's not our will to exist, why did God create us in the first place? I wrote something similar in a story of mine: So the gods created us by their will, and then expect their creation to pay tribute to them, all because they happened to create us for fun? If they created us because they wanted to, why do we have to respond to them since it was their will to create, not our will to exist? [ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: philechat ]</p>

12-20-2002, 01:47 AM	#32
Rousseau_CHN Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nowhere Land Posts: 441	Amie, Should atheist be be anti-theist? I think so. Should they be violent against theism? That is another topic. Isn't it sad to see the father (see example from last post) subverting his belief just to satisfy a child's homework? Or that lover boy so that he wouldn't upset his girlfriend? Isn't is sad that we should always hide under anonymity just to please people around us? Can we not say to our friends and relatives that 'oh yeah, I believe your religion is a crap, but we can still each other on sundays." I guess human relationships is just too important...that we could fake our beliefs. Now isn't that sad?

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