Luiseach

Acutally, my sigh of relief - as expressed by my 'Whew!' - was posted in response to the following quotation:

So, what are the merits of 'the absence of a rational thought process'?

They do? How so?

It has yet to be determined if reason can 'produce evil'...

AJ113

So you plumped for christianity because you liked it best out of all the religeons available to you.

I do not think any theist can claim honestly to have chosen the " right god" until they can actualy meet the Creator. For some, God is something to look forward to in the afterlife..... for others, it is a now and then experience which allows them to be a better version of themselves.

So all theists, in your opinion, will not know whether they got it right until they die and go on to the afterlife, where they will finally discover if they made the right choice or not?

And your own personal choice - christianity - was made on the basis that you liked the idea of it, and having made this decision, you are faithfully following the dogmas of christianity, with no certainty that your beliefs are founded on anything more solid other than a guess on your part?

Presumably, then, you spend a degree of your life hoping that you are not going to come face to face with Jupiter after you die?

Sabine Grant

You can disagree with what I presented .... but as far as determining here in this forum whether or not a rational thought process can produce evil, you would have to take in account many personal experiences from various individuals.
I thought I had explained how Hitler used a rational thought process. I answered your questions already. Or are you wanting and needing to hear other answers than what I have already presented?
The merits.... the example of how this Down syndrom teen could grasp notions is IMO an illustration of how the absence of reason can be appreciated.
As far as the most common example of the use of rationalizing which can produce a negative effect...... never used even once the defense mechanism to justify an attitude or behavior which consists in rationalizing ? a few examples.....
-an alcoholic spouse tells his or her co dependent spouse... " you make me drink"
-a mother or father hits a child " you made me angry"
- a wife spends more than what she should have... her reply to the concerned husband " I thought you wanted me to go ahead and buy it"
I doubt that as human beings none of us ever rationalized our behavior to escape the route to personal accountability.

Sabine Grant

oh and one more thing...does that constitute your answer to my question asking clearly how does the fact that Hitler would have been a sociopath refute my argument that a rational thought process can produce evil? It would be quite fair that you answer one question considering how many of yours I have attempted to answer. Thanks!

Sabine Grant

Actualy I do not dwell on hoping or not hoping. I made it clear that I do not claim to detain the absolute truth. It seems that as a non theist you are more concerned about the outcome of my faith than I am..... quite ironical I must say !

" you are faithfuly following the dogmas of christianity "... sorry but where did I claim such a thing ? it is important you do not interpret my thoughts so it fits your own perception of what a christian ought to be or do. Assumptions on my account never encourage me to pursue a dialogue.

Tarnaak

YOU GO GIRL, WOO HOO!

Radorth

Sabine is in her element in this thread.

Rad

AJ113

Really? Are you sure that it doesn't "seem" that I am simply exposing the futility of a faith based on nothing but personal preference?

" you are faithfuly following the dogmas of christianity "... sorry but where did I claim such a thing ? it is important you do not interpret my thoughts so it fits your own perception of what a christian ought to be or do. Assumptions on my account never encourage me to pursue a dialogue.

There are no assumptions in my post. Go back and read it. There is one praese at the beginning, which you did not object to, and three questions.

If you cannot or will not answer questions, then all you have to do is say so, but please don't try to wriggle out of them by accusing me of mis-quoting you. I should advise you that assumptions on my account never encourage me to pursue a dialogue.

AJ113

Wow, that's a convincing argument! Guess I'd better go and lick my wounds.....

AJ113

Meaning what, exactly?