Religiosity as an advantageous trait

AV1611VET said:

That's because you don't have the guts to test that claim.

You'll let someone else (like Arafat) test those claims, then do nothing but nod assent if he claims Israel isn't the Promised Land.

Ditto for academia.

They'll let their heroes test those claims, then shake their heads when a tombstone is placed over their graves.

Whether said heroes died actively testing those claims; or whether they died of old age.

And in no way am I advocating anyone go out there and test those claims.

I'm saying they should wake up and respect those claims.

Not fight against them.

Ac 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

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Warden_of_the_Storm said:

But how can your claim be tested? Your logic makes no sense.

"Jerusalem has USA in it! THEREFOR GOD!" is not evidence of anything except that you know how to spell.

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AV1611VET said:

I hope not, but you'll go to your grave thinking I'm wrong.

Just like Arafat went to his grave thinking Moses was wrong.

De 19:8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

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Warden_of_the_Storm said:

... I've completely blanked on what your point on this whole thing is except for your own self-pleasure.

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AV1611VET said:

I am not surprised one bit.

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AV1611VET said:

There's a place where people go who test that claim.

Their graves.

Yasser Arafat being a prime example.

King George III being another.

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2PhiloVoid said:

Y'know, AV, I don't think I remember seeing sardonic comments, such as the sort you all too often make, as something that Jesus or His Apostles said should be expressed as a fruit of the Spirit.

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Warden_of_the_Storm said:

"Jerusalem has USA in it! THEREFOR GOD!" is not evidence of anything except that you know how to spell.

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Larniavc said:

Evidence please.

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CIA Agent #1029 said:

It will be evident soon, like I said. I tried to tell people in this forum, but it seems they don't deserve it.

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Ophiolite said:

I was impressed by that . . . . the spelling. I mean, it's a start.

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Free2bHeretical4Him! said:

Man … all you guys touting the untruth that Christians make better warriors because they believe in an afterlife are making a mockery of your Christianity (yours, not mine). You really should stop. The level of ignorance, arrogance and complete lack of humility is casting a very long shadow of contempt on the valor of those who died selflessly in any war; regardless of their religious convictions. Please stop this foolishness …

I would venture a guess that many/most here on this forum hold to mainstream Christian orthodoxy (I do not). This usually means, a strong stance against Christian Universalism (my position). Why is this relevant? Time and again, when engaging someone on the topic of Christian Universalism, they will quote Jesus’ words in Mathew 7.

”“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

The part that cracks me up is “they” never seem to think it applies to themselves! Oh the irony …

So tell me … just how can anyone who believes mainstream Christian orthodoxy and a promise of eternal life, which according to their own interpretation, they can never be sure they will make it until after they die and they are resurrected. How do you frame your position of Christians being the mightiest of warriors, when they cannot be sure they are going to make the cut themselves?

Your premise is flawed. Your reasoning is flawed. Your theology casts doubt on your obtaining the prize you hope to obtain. Yet, somehow you believe this type of man is going to be more valiant just because he’s a Christian? I have never served in the armed forces much less seen battle. But, I would venture a guess that the majority of men/women who have seen battle just wanted to make it out alive and would do whatever must be done to make that happen. They want to live through it to return to their families, loved ones and enjoy the simple things in life once again.

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Free2bHeretical4Him! said:

Man … all you guys touting the untruth that Christians make better warriors because they believe in an afterlife are making a mockery of your Christianity (yours, not mine).

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CIA Agent #1029 said:

It will be evident soon, like I said. I tried to tell people in this forum, but it seems they don't deserve it.

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1. you are an anonymous individual on the internet;
2. you have made no discernible useful posts on the forum;
3. you have made posts that while not necessarily stupid are certainly ill-informed;
4. your current post sounds as if it was written by a petulant teenager (apologies to all non-petulant teenagers).

1. you might just chance to be correct.

Free2bHeretical4Him! said:

Man … all you guys touting the untruth that Christians make better warriors because they believe in an afterlife are making a mockery of your Christianity (yours, not mine). You really should stop. The level of ignorance, arrogance and complete lack of humility is casting a very long shadow of contempt on the valor of those who died selflessly in any war; regardless of their religious convictions. Please stop this foolishness …

I would venture a guess that many/most here on this forum hold to mainstream Christian orthodoxy (I do not). This usually means, a strong stance against Christian Universalism (my position). Why is this relevant? Time and again, when engaging someone on the topic of Christian Universalism, they will quote Jesus’ words in Mathew 7.

”“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

The part that cracks me up is “they” never seem to think it applies to themselves! Oh the irony …

So tell me … just how can anyone who believes mainstream Christian orthodoxy and a promise of eternal life, which according to their own interpretation, they can never be sure they will make it until after they die and they are resurrected. How do you frame your position of Christians being the mightiest of warriors, when they cannot be sure they are going to make the cut themselves?

Your premise is flawed. Your reasoning is flawed. Your theology casts doubt on your obtaining the prize you hope to obtain. Yet, somehow you believe this type of man is going to be more valiant just because he’s a Christian? I have never served in the armed forces much less seen battle. But, I would venture a guess that the majority of men/women who have seen battle just wanted to make it out alive and would do whatever must be done to make that happen. They want to live through it to return to their families, loved ones and enjoy the simple things in life once again.

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AV1611VET said:

Might makes right, does it?

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CIA Agent #1029 said:

It will be evident soon

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Free2bHeretical4Him! said:

Please explain your retort.

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jasperr said:

I wonder if the propensity or otherwise for believing that there is an entity or a person / persons outside the realm of people we can see who "pulls" or has pulled the strings behind the scenes ,as it were -ie religiosity in its varied forms....

I wonder if this propensity in the individual or group can be considered as conferring an evolutionary advantage ?

I imagine there could be many possible ways it might confer an advantage ,and possibly a disadvantage.

I imagine ,at the outset (and fairly obviously) that it would promote social cohesion insomuch as it provides communal stories as a focal point.

If the religion occupies the highest positions in the society (as a priestly caste) then the lower echelons can advance their cause (and their chances of finding a mate) by acquiescing with that belief structure,genuinely or not.

But these are just my raw hypotheses.I am sure there are other angles to it ,even if it is not a subject I have heard taken up before or one that had previously crossed my mind.

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