Atheists: What Do Gods Do?

[RestlessSoul]

Quite...a point that is lost on some.

It’s not lost; it’s just facile, patronising and lazy. And the people who make it always think they’re being clever.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Quite...a point that is lost on some.

A point that has little to do with the thread's topic.

 

[Little Dragon]

Good to know since you never actually began.

Such hostility...

 

[Little Dragon]

It’s not lost; it’s just facile, patronising and lazy. And the people who make it always think they’re being clever.

What because you have as much testable evidence for your God(s) as I have for the Tooth Fairy?
Which is none.

 

[LuisDantas]

I would suggest that intolerance of beliefs which differ from our own, is the greater danger.

Interestingly, that tend to come very predictably and very consistently from enthusiastic theists.

Which underscores my point. Careless belief in the literal existence of one's deity is a very real, very worrisome danger.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Such hostility...

You confuse hostility with directness. I have no hostility toward you.

 

[Little Dragon]

I would suggest that intolerance of beliefs which differ from our own, is the greater danger.

Depends on the beliefs...whether intolerance is appropriate or not.

 

[We Never Know]

Placebo's are a very well understood phenomenon.
It is pretty well known that mere beliefs (regardless of accuracy) can very well have an effect, for better or worse, on the physical body / physiology.

If you are trying to say that gods in fact can "exist" as psychological constructs... then sure. Darth Vader exists in the same way.


When you have to start fogging up the meaning of the word "real" in an attempt to try and smuggle in imagined characters as belonging to the realm of "real", it kind of speaks volumes about the strength of your case in support of these characters.

"If you are trying to say that gods in fact can "exist" as psychological constructs... then sure. Darth Vader exists in the same way"

No one I know believes in, worships or prays to Darth Vader.

 

[Little Dragon]

Thank you. I'll keep in mind that you like to attack character rather than what is said.

That was sarcasm. I wasn't seriously labeling you narrow minded. I do not think that, for what that is worth.

 

[Little Dragon]

No one I know believes in, worships or prays to Darth Vader.

Why not? He's pretty awesome. I mean, what a role model. That's the kinda dude that gets **** done.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Depends on the beliefs...whether intolerance is appropriate or not.

No, it doesn’t. Actions and behaviours may be intolerable, but not beliefs, which are generally personal.

 

[We Never Know]

Why not? He's pretty awesome. I mean, what a role model. That's the kinda dude that gets **** done.

He might be your father lol

 

[Little Dragon]

No, it doesn’t. Actions and behaviours may be intolerable, but not beliefs, which are generally personal.

Hmmm...maybe. However, isn't it inevitable that beliefs translate into actions and behaviours?

 

[RestlessSoul]

Interestingly, that tend to come very predictably and very consistently from enthusiastic theists.

Which underscores my point. Careless belief in the literal existence of one's deity is a very real, very worrisome danger.

Tolerance is a predictable quality of believers, and is not to be tolerated? Is that what you’re arguing?

 

[Little Dragon]

He might be your father lol

There would be parallels, he was definitely dark side, old papa.

 

[LuisDantas]

No, it doesn’t. Actions and behaviours may be intolerable, but not beliefs, which are generally personal.

What would you consider the proper way to deal with actions and behaviours that attempt to present themselves as justifiable due to obedience to beliefs that are central tenets of aggressively proselitistic doctrines, though?

 

[Little Dragon]

What would you consider the proper way to deal with actions and behaviours that attempt to present themselves as justifiable due to obedience to beliefs that are central tenets of aggressively proselitistic doctrines, though?

Double think is the only illogical solution to that predicament.

 

[LuisDantas]

Hmmm...maybe. However, isn't it inevitable that beliefs translate into actions and behaviours?

In what is often considered mainstream Abrahamic religion?

Sure. Quite the distortion if you ask me.

Outside that admittedly very influential scope, though? Not nearly so much. Most (and most healthy) religions know better than to be hostages of their own beliefs and keep a measure of respect for reality.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Hmmm...maybe. However, isn't it inevitable that beliefs translate into actions and behaviours?

Even so, if a person is to be judged, that judgement should always be on the basis of their actions not their beliefs.

And one should always be wary of judging others; those who rush to do so, are frequently pointing out defects they recognise but refuse to acknowledge in themselves.

 

[LuisDantas]

Tolerance is a predictable quality of believers, and is not to be tolerated? Is that what you’re arguing?

Nope. Quite the opposite; belief, when taken as a central element of so-called religion, is actually anathema to tolerance and many other desirable qualities - including IMO proper religiosity.