Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Virgil Tibbs · 07-17-2003, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC
I don't see it.

Those who think that the only reality is what we can see, hear, smell and touch with our limited senses ---those who think that our very limited intelligence understands reality to any definite and not to be disputed measure--------those live within "a box".

I can't think of anyone who believes reality is limited to human senses. Obviously I can't see, hear, smell, or touch an electron, but the electron, as fancilful and magical as it would haved seemed a thousand years ago, actually does have evidence supporting its existence.

Quote:

Christians and Muslims and Buddhists and any kind of spiritualist who think outside of the "norm" are thinking outside the box of our "reality". They may possibly be wrong but they certainly represent what makes humans humans.

I think you are misrepresenting naturalism, as if it were something that sucked the magic out of life. The fact that I know what stars are make them no less amazing when I look up at the sky and see them. In fact, knowing the scope of the distances involved makes it all the more moving to me. YMMV.

Quote:

I do not think that a cat or a dog or a lion or a bear thinks outside of what they perceive as reality. Nor should they. that is a definite human trait.

Human naturalists represent the lower animals. Believers in the supernatural represent humanity.

So if one were to ask two men in ancient times why the sun made the day hot, and one said "the sun god" and the second admitted, "I don't know", you think the the guy who dodged the question by appealing to supernatural is somehow better?

There's a difference between being capable of using one's imagination, and using that imagination to avoid important questions or unpleasant truths. Personaly I love supernatural stuff like say, sword and sorcery adventures, because they engage the imagination, but at the same time I recognize they are fantasy.

Tibbs

dangin · 07-18-2003, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC

I do not think that a cat or a dog or a lion or a bear thinks outside of what they perceive as reality. Nor should they. that is a definite human trait.

No, it's a trait of higher intelligence, not humanness. We think we are the only organisms on this planet who think this way at this time. The jury is still out on other planets, and new species on this planet in the future.

JaeIsGod · 07-19-2003, 01:25 AM

I think people should just believe what makes them happy , as long as they dont hurt others with it.

Like me believing that I cant get any dates , because girls are just too imtimidated by my incredibly body =]

That sure beats reality.

07-19-2003, 07:16 AM

It's something, to believe in a God, you must really want to do. And if you really want to "pretend" or "believe" then you do it. Some people feel the need to "believe" in a God. God helps them through troubled waters and keeps them in check, morally. Others might only feel a slight need to "believe".
You can convince yourself of this need. From either having been raised as such and not knowing any other way to live. Or by your emotional needs in order to live a somewhat disciplined life. There's alot of good that happens from "believing in God, Mohammad, Jahovah, Budda."
Sometimes it's taken to the extreme as all things are and of course, that's bad.

07-19-2003, 07:16 AM	#44
Laci Guest Posts: n/a	reply It's something, to believe in a God, you must really want to do. And if you really want to "pretend" or "believe" then you do it. Some people feel the need to "believe" in a God. God helps them through troubled waters and keeps them in check, morally. Others might only feel a slight need to "believe". You can convince yourself of this need. From either having been raised as such and not knowing any other way to live. Or by your emotional needs in order to live a somewhat disciplined life. There's alot of good that happens from "believing in God, Mohammad, Jahovah, Budda." Sometimes it's taken to the extreme as all things are and of course, that's bad.

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07-19-2003, 01:25 AM	#43
JaeIsGod Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 760	I think people should just believe what makes them happy , as long as they dont hurt others with it. Like me believing that I cant get any dates , because girls are just too imtimidated by my incredibly body =] That sure beats reality.

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