Jet Grind

Greetings all,

I'm new to the forums, this the first thread I've ever started.

My starting thread is about Deism, because I am a former Deist. In case you don't already know, Deism is the belief that God is found through reasoning. Most Deists believe that God created the laws of the universe, but in no way excercizes controll over the subsequent evolution of those laws.

After seeing my arguments deomolished on several websites. I concluded that I couldn't adhere to reason and believe in the existence of God at the same time. I am now an Atheist, but I'm wondering what you all think about Deism. Do you think a reasoned belief in God is possible? I obviously don't, that's why I'm here in the first place.

Thanks in advance to all who reply.

Sarpedon

As you have learned, Reason is the way to lose God, because the whole idea of a big man in the sky who made everything is silly. I see Deism as a pre-scientific acknowlegement that religion is ridiculous and cruel. However, in those days, (the Enlightenment) there was no alternative explaination for the existence of the world than the supernatural. I think most of the Enlightened deistic thinkers would be atheists or agnostic if they had had access to modern scientific data. This is why we see few deists these days, and it is often just a stage people go through to get to a different destination.

Seraphim

Jet Grind

... Deism, because I am a former Deist. In case you don't already know, Deism is the belief that God is found through reasoning. Most Deists believe that God created the laws of the universe, but in no way excercizes controll over the subsequent evolution of those laws.

Hmmm .... I like the concept. Find God by reasoning .... sounds almost like Buddhism (I did say ALMOST).


by Sarpedon

As you have learned, Reason is the way to lose God, because the whole idea of a big man in the sky who made everything is silly.

Sarpedon, making assumptions based on what others said in a book is not considered (at least in my part of the world) as reasoning.

If your defination of God is someone who sits in the clouds (which is fine by me), then that is your defination.

emotional

I'm a deist of sorts. I believe that a supermind created the laws of the universe, and matter itself, and does not control them anymore. I don't call the supermind God, though.



I gather the ridicule heaped upon your arguments by the atheists did the trick. So sad to see a reasonable stand fallen. Deism is perfectly rational, but it's out of fashion today.

It boils down to whether you believe mind preceded matter or matter preceded mind. I think the former position is the rational one to hold. Plus, materialism implies that there is no life after death, and that is something I could never accept.

Viti

I always figured people were Deists because they couldn't accept the Universe not having a creator...for whatever reason.

Seraphim

by LadyShea

I always figured people were Deists because they couldn't accept the Universe not having a creator...for whatever reason.

I don't think Universe was created either. I'd rather take Hindusm approach to beginning of the Universe where they state that God (or in their notion - Vishnu) become the Universe himself.

Hell ... make more sense with Big Bang Theory and all. So Deism is OK by me.

sodium

I've always been a little surprised there aren't more deists. But it seems like, for most people, the mental techniques required to believe in God enable a person to believe any other religious doctrines, and conversely, those people who choose to abandon those techniques end up not believing in God.

Miss Piggy

Very much true. And people who want to believe in a personal god, usually want that god be interactive - their friend, comforter, advisor etc. For most people, a god who just creates the world and then does nothing, is of no interest.

Besides, deism has not created the same kind of power structure as e.g. the Catholic Church. And deists do go door-to-door telling people about deism

Jet Grind

Aye, I agree. Looking back, I realize that I never really had that strong of a belief in God. Maybe the reason that there aren't many deists now of days is the fact that if you don't believe in God as a personal friend it is of no use to personally interact with him (or it). Eventually reason will pull through and you will realize that God is not necessary.

Miss Piggy

Of course I meant that they do *not* go door-to-door...