Why Are You Not an Atheist?

[tayla]

I just wouldn't know what to base that belief on. I could imagine any God I wanted. However I wouldn't really assume any reality to that imagining since it would just be a product of my mind.

I think the only strong argument for God's attributes is philosophical; that since we are free-will conscious creatures; in creating us, God would have to have at least these same attributes.

The same for God's existence. It is hard to imagine how this universe with all its intricacies could exist without some purposeful conscious mind capable of creating it.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I think the only strong argument for God's attributes is philosophical; that since we are free-will conscious creatures; in creating us, God would have to have at least these same attributes.

Why would those be the important attributes?

I mean, we’re also corporeal, bipedal, and live in groups... so wouldn’t God also have to have those attributes, too?

The same for God's existence. It is hard to imagine how this universe with all its intricacies could exist without some purposeful conscious mind capable of creating it.

But it’s not hard at all to imagine that all the intricacies of the mind of God could just poof into existence on their own?

 

[BilliardsBall]

Well, perhaps you dont need to practice, but, you are
not big on performing, so how is one to know?

Describing your actions exactly as they are is
"mean".

It would be so easy to get people to stop being
"mean" to you. See if you can guess how.

I know! By not writing to you like you write to me!

 

[sojourner]

I grew up in Christianity, heavily influenced by Southern Baptists, with a maternal side of the family that was, I guess, "strong with the Force", so to speak. Like, we just kinda assumed everyone sensed the spiritual because we did (at least the women).

As I've been aging, I have realized that the God of the Bible is a literary character, but that doesn't preclude Someone or Something behind the spiritual things I feel. It might not even be the God I've been taught for all I know. After all, I feel that True Power has no real name. I completely understand that what I feel is not scientifically measurable (I guess you could see my brain activity, but that doesn't tell you the source of the activity -- yet). I also feel that if people aren't sensing the divine, that's the divine's fault, not the person's.

That’s why “God” is “the unnameable one, and yet known by a thousand names.”

 

[sojourner]

According to one dictionary..."Possession" means...."The state of having, owning, or controlling something....Visible power or control over something, as distinct from lawful ownership.....Something that is owned or possessed.....The state of being completely dominated by an idea or emotion."

Under those definitions, people "possess" faith. OK.......English 101. Perhaps try a dictionary before posting in ignorance....?

I’m not sure faith is a thing that one can possess, or own. Rather, faith is something into which one steps. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines faith in this way: “Faith affects all dimensions of one’s existence.” Sound more like one is possessed by faith than that one possesses faith.

To have faith (for the Christian) is to accept God’s call — to be possessed by God. It’s not an ego thing, rather, it’s a letting go of one’s own egotistic will. Letting go doesn’t denote possession of something.

Perhaps try thinking theologically before posting on a theological subject.

 

[sojourner]

Perhaps thd study / practice of mindfullness
would help you see the show.

Focus on your fancied pie in the sky,
miss what is here, now, real, and
you miss the only gift you ever get.

That’s good advice. We all need to live in the moment. It’s he only way life becomes poignant and the only way things matter.

But how does it feel to know that in about two generations after your death, you will be completely forgotten. All you've done, for absolutely nothing

I disagree. We each wield more influence in the world than we suppose. While we may not be consciously remembered, we each provide our DNA to the future of humanity , and our uniqueness stands out in our own time, which contributes to future history and the “DNA” of the flow of life.

Walt Whitman said, “The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” That verse is important to the whole.

 

[sojourner]

But don't you think That's unfair? Assuming one wants to live that is. Human beings are likely the only creatures on earth who consciously acknowledge that they will die. Why did life advance to the point that we would have to suffer with this knowledge? I think That's horrible.

...It would be better if we were oblivious to it.

I’m not so convinced.
More limited beings also don’t have knowledge of tomorrow. They have no concept of the infinite.

 

[sojourner]

I was unfortunate enough to be with my mother the day before she died last month. She was in excruciating pain, suffering from pancreatic cancer. The day before she died, she told me she wasn't ready for the grave.

Regardless of popular beliefs, nobody wants to die. Even When They're suffering. It's going to suck really bad, and It's going to hurt.

Yeah, I get that, and I’m sorry. Losing a parent sucks. Lost my Dad last year to Alzheimer’s. It was slow, excruciating, and painful.

 

[sojourner]

A lot of people have more and less willingly
died for a lot of goofy beliefs.

IF (a) god truly exists, it would be keen if there
were a bit of data to work with. There is a more or
less infinite number of ways that a god could
at least allow us to detect it, if it is too stuck up
or shy to just say ""Hey hey, guys, look at this!"

As it is, all of the gods ever concocted have one
thing in common. Totally undetectable, and,
totally indistinguishable from the non existent,

One more thing on that. IF there is a "god"
that is like in charge of having made the universe
and all, and we do find out, what then?

Say wow? Spin prayer wheels? Build a pyramid
and cut people's hearts out? Build a cathedral?
Burn up a goat? Sing? Ask for favours?

Claim that it spoke to you and you are supposed
to speak for it?

Does it even matter if we do or dont know that
some intelligent force created the universe?

All these responses you suggest are avenues of connection with that-which-is-Greater than us. People spend time and energy hoping to connect with the infinite, in order to make meaning. That meaning-making is important stuff for creative human beings. The finding isn’t so important, I think, as the process of searching.

 

[Muffled]

I'm not trying to imply that there are no reason for being a theist.
And I think we've discussed often enough atheist's reason for being an atheist. However I'd be happy to explain for myself why.

I'm just curious what folks feel justifies their theism. What knowledge a person personally has to justify a belief in God.

God is in me. I ca't deny what is real.

 

[Muffled]

Although I would argue for the existence of God as an objective, psychological reality, my belief is confined to my own interpretation of my experience as well as my understanding of the experience of others who profess a Jewish or Christian belief. As such it is founded on subjective considerations.

I believe I never have to have proof that my wife is real. She is there. It is the same with God.

 

[Muffled]

Really? Who in their right mind welcomes persecution? That's just weird.

That it happens is a fact of life in a religiously divided world...but Christians are not the only religion that suffers persecution.

I believe Christians might view persecution as validation. The devil doesn't attack friends as much as he does enemies.

 

[Nakosis]

God is in me. I ca't deny what is real.

Ok, so what do you know about God?

 

[1137]

Reason, evidence, experience.

 

[Muffled]

Ok, so what do you know about God?

I believe He answers prayer.

 

[sealchan]

I believe I never have to have proof that my wife is real. She is there. It is the same with God.

Your wife is made of matter, God is not. The difficulties of proof differ greatly as a result.

 

[Audie]

I know! By not writing to you like you write to me!

I think that it is not in anyone's interests
for me to continue interacting with you.

This may be as good a place as any to stop,
because for once, I half way agree with you.

Only half,because you write suggesting how I
could improve, by being like you; and I suggest
how you could improve.

The half where I have to disagree is, I do not
make things up.

Maybe you will find it in yourself to cease
that odious habit. I hope you do.

Has to come from inside, tho.
I sure cant convince you.
Good luck.

 

[Deeje]

I want to be a theist but i just aint.

Try as i may, existence is just too brutal.

I totally see the beauty of a god that has nothing to do with any of the religions out there.

I totally see the beauty of a god that has nothing to do with making this universe.

I am all for theism if it means to study the unknown god.

Dying is a rotten thing.

I cant figure out for the life of me why i have a soul, but i do. And for that reason i remain open to the idea of eternal living.

I remember feeling all those confusing contradicting thoughts and traditional Christianity had no answers. Making sense of them was a quest and studying the Bible, rather than church doctrine provided the answers.

Our brutal existence and displays of inhuman behaviour.....the caliber and number of gods worshipped in various religions around the world.....the breathtaking beauty of this earth and indeed the universe that rightly brings praise to its Creator but is often denied....the seeming remoteness of God.....and why death feels so wrong when it is all we have ever known.

I believe that these difficult dilemmas have solutions in the Bible's big picture, one that is basically obscured by Christendom's version of events. I don't believe that the answers will ever be found in concentrating on a few dead pixels in the form of misinterpretation of scripture. Since studying the Bible (rather than religion) I have never found any of these questions difficult to address.

 

[Deeje]

Perhaps try thinking theologically before posting on a theological subject.

You know, this kind of response just cracks me up.

How's the altitude up there in 'theological thinking land'?

How does your "theological thinking" compare with the rest of Christendom's clergy? You seem to be out of sinc with most of them. Is your "theological thinking" somehow more enlightened than theirs? You obviously think you know more than they do.....so why do you post as if Christendom's theologians are somehow your allies? Your beliefs clash with theirs, so I am always confused by your use of their institutions, information and definitions.

I can't imagine why I need a theological dictionary to define something that is mine and mine alone. My relationship with my Creator is not defined by Christendom's evaluation of anything.....yours is apparently....but not really. I can't quite figure you out.

 

[Deeje]

I believe Christians might view persecution as validation. The devil doesn't attack friends as much as he does enemies.

I know of many unbelievers who might disagree with that. If the devil was kind to his own, then it would be in stark contrast to believers and a dead giveaway as to who has the truth.....Think about it.