if you consider that the god they believe in:.
- cannot be seen or heard and is only known in books written by writers we do not know nor do we have the original writings- does not listen to prayers from believers for security, safety, health, survival, protection, rescue, food etc- promises things that have not come true though had plenty of time to act on the promises- does not provide what you need to live- let's you suffer, struggle, work etc equal to non-believers, treated equally.
........ how does a believer look at his/her parents if they hide themselves, do not provide for you (shelter, food etc), make promises but never live up to these, does not provide what you need to live, treats you like anyone else but not as their child?
as long as you respect their customs and convictions
I think this is the focus of our difference.
I do not respect theism. I don't respect religious dogma. I don't respect child genital mutilation. I don't respect teaching children to believe they have original sin.
I do respect people's right believe things that are objectively false.
I don't like deabting [sic] on the Internet
I suspect you do. You just don't like people answering you back.
if you consider that the god they believe in:.
- cannot be seen or heard and is only known in books written by writers we do not know nor do we have the original writings- does not listen to prayers from believers for security, safety, health, survival, protection, rescue, food etc- promises things that have not come true though had plenty of time to act on the promises- does not provide what you need to live- let's you suffer, struggle, work etc equal to non-believers, treated equally.
........ how does a believer look at his/her parents if they hide themselves, do not provide for you (shelter, food etc), make promises but never live up to these, does not provide what you need to live, treats you like anyone else but not as their child?
No, that isn't what I said at all.
It's exactly what you said.
Why believe in a god? Because you are free to do so when you are outside of the control of a system that says you can't do anything but their way, that's why.
The ONLY sensible reason to believe or to disbelieve is evidence regardless of what version of 'god' you are referring to.
I have my PhD. I'm ready, Cofty.
Did you seriously write that?
if you consider that the god they believe in:.
- cannot be seen or heard and is only known in books written by writers we do not know nor do we have the original writings- does not listen to prayers from believers for security, safety, health, survival, protection, rescue, food etc- promises things that have not come true though had plenty of time to act on the promises- does not provide what you need to live- let's you suffer, struggle, work etc equal to non-believers, treated equally.
........ how does a believer look at his/her parents if they hide themselves, do not provide for you (shelter, food etc), make promises but never live up to these, does not provide what you need to live, treats you like anyone else but not as their child?
Have you considered decaffeinated coffee?
if you consider that the god they believe in:.
- cannot be seen or heard and is only known in books written by writers we do not know nor do we have the original writings- does not listen to prayers from believers for security, safety, health, survival, protection, rescue, food etc- promises things that have not come true though had plenty of time to act on the promises- does not provide what you need to live- let's you suffer, struggle, work etc equal to non-believers, treated equally.
........ how does a believer look at his/her parents if they hide themselves, do not provide for you (shelter, food etc), make promises but never live up to these, does not provide what you need to live, treats you like anyone else but not as their child?
The gist of your post is that freedom to believe anything you want is sufficient reason to believe in god.
That would only be the case if you care more about feelings than facts.
I'm puzzled why you needed me to explain that.
if you consider that the god they believe in:.
- cannot be seen or heard and is only known in books written by writers we do not know nor do we have the original writings- does not listen to prayers from believers for security, safety, health, survival, protection, rescue, food etc- promises things that have not come true though had plenty of time to act on the promises- does not provide what you need to live- let's you suffer, struggle, work etc equal to non-believers, treated equally.
........ how does a believer look at his/her parents if they hide themselves, do not provide for you (shelter, food etc), make promises but never live up to these, does not provide what you need to live, treats you like anyone else but not as their child?
KOW - That's a terrible answer.
I assume 'if you care about what is objectively true' is implied in the question.
It doesn't need to be said that everybody is free to believe in anything that pleases them but if you care about reality there has to be a better reason for organising your life around an idea than subjective feelings.
if you consider that the god they believe in:.
- cannot be seen or heard and is only known in books written by writers we do not know nor do we have the original writings- does not listen to prayers from believers for security, safety, health, survival, protection, rescue, food etc- promises things that have not come true though had plenty of time to act on the promises- does not provide what you need to live- let's you suffer, struggle, work etc equal to non-believers, treated equally.
........ how does a believer look at his/her parents if they hide themselves, do not provide for you (shelter, food etc), make promises but never live up to these, does not provide what you need to live, treats you like anyone else but not as their child?
Linda - those reports were debunked by a christian on the 'Unbelievable' podcast.
God hates amputees.
many people here have expressed faith in evolution and in other theories—but in all honesty, do you have any hope whatsoever in your heart or in the back of your mind ?
truthfully..
Sounds a lot like sophistry
many people here have expressed faith in evolution and in other theories—but in all honesty, do you have any hope whatsoever in your heart or in the back of your mind ?
truthfully..
belief in God does make sense
Only if the word 'god' is just being used as a placeholder.
cofty could you answer how the single cell came about by chance?.
i know the argument for complexity in nature says natural selection over billions of years but this could not explain the complexity of the single cell the building blocks of life?.
many people here have expressed faith in evolution and in other theories—but in all honesty, do you have any hope whatsoever in your heart or in the back of your mind ?
truthfully..
I’m saying it’s miraculous that matter, life, and consciousness should have arisen at all
Maybe it will turn out to be as incredible as a rock falling down a hill. The only sensible answer at this point is to admit we don't know.
