I agree with you about religions. Sad but true. As for faith vs trust, it's a little like splitting hairs, no? We're used to using the word faith in religious contexts, but what about when we tell someone "I have faith in you"? I'm ok with either one. The point is, there is no definitive proof...
Where do the natural laws come from? Why do all people seem to agree that it's better to behave a certain way even when it's difficult and inconvenient? Why wouldn't we all naturally desire to look out for number one? Why do people, without religious obligations pressing on them, choose to do...
I think when people say it takes faith to not believe in God, what they mean is that it takes faith to believe in the spontaneous, seemingly "magical" way the universe just happened to come together in the perfect set of circumstances that just happened to create optimal conditions for life...
I refer you back to my previous post. To repeat: the complexity and order of nature and the cosmos, and the existence of natural law/first principles. Feel free to Google ;)
I know you said you're addressing non-believers more so than believers in God, but I wanted to add my two cents. When people claim there is no evidence for God, I wonder just how much evidence they need, or what kind of evidence, or even how do they define evidence?
Because for me, looking at...
@Jim you, sir, speak the truth. Reading my "requirements" in your words sounds, of course, pretty hilarious. And impossible. And highlights the obsessive nature of this search of mine. I often forget that others also have disagreements and pet beliefs, they just don't worry about these matching...
Again, my apologies for leaving certain assumptions unsaid. One of the main things I have in mind when I say "free thinker" has to do with LGBTQ affirmation. Neither Islam nor Baha'i faith affirm LGBTQ people. Their faith, as with the majority of Christians and Jews, is based on their respective...
My understanding of free thinking is that I decide what makes sense to me, rather than letting someone else dictate that for me. If I have concluded that they're must be a Creator God based on my own insights and experiences, not bc I'm being told to believe this or else, then yes, I think it...
You won't like my response. I've determined that God doesn't require membership in organized religion. That the only way to discern God's will is to think freely and without fear or compulsion.
Sorry, I left some assumptions unsaid. I meant unitarian monotheism, as well as "free-thinker" friendly. I guess I mean without a dogmatic creed, other than that we do worship the One God. UU for instance don't have a creed, but they also don't particularly seem to insist on worshiping the...
Is there such a thing? When I was researching Deists, I was disappointed that there was no brick-and-mortar place of worship where one could go to fellowship with other believers. Than again, Deists I guess don't really see the need to worship God, so that may be why. I looked into Unitarian...
That's where I am currently. I've been a seeker on and off all my life. I've researched most religions multiple times, and I've always returned to the faith community I was brought up with. Last year, after three years of being very dedicated to making my faith work for me, I just woke up one...