Do you believe reality must conform to your desires?

[Aldebaran]

I don't think humans are that lost. The idea that we're too untrustworthy to ever recognize what brings well-being versus what damages it is, like I said, totally goofy.

Even if we were, what would make following our creator more likely to be correct, if we can't truly judge? The creator could be a bad guy - we can't know, especially if he's programming us with how to think.

So what alternative do you see? Should we rebel against God and expect to win somehow? The US military can't even keep Al Queda down permanently. How would you expect humanity to defeat God?

 

[bhsmte]

So what alternative do you see? Should we rebel against God and expect to win somehow? The US military can't even keep Al Queda down permanently. How would you expect humanity to defeat God?

I would guess, one can only think of defeating a God if they believe a God exists.

 

[Aldebaran]

I would guess, one can only think of defeating a God if they believe a God exists.

For those who don't believe He does exist, what's the problem then?

 

[bhsmte]

For those who don't believe He does exist, what's the problem then?

I don't have a problem. I just find it difficult to rebel against something I don't believe exists. Quite simple, really.

 

[poolerboy0077]

For those who don't believe He does exist, what's the problem then?

It matters what other people believe and why because belief drives behavior and action.

 

[Aldebaran]

It matters what other people believe and why because belief drives behavior and action.

But bhsmte doesn't seem to have a problem with God (believing He's not real). So what difference does it make to you? Has my behavior or actions affected you in any way?

 

[bhsmte]

But bhsmte doesn't seem to have a problem with God (believing He's not real). So what difference does it make to you? Has my behavior or actions affected you in any way?

As long as you do not attempt to negatively impact my life or my rights with your beliefs, you can go about your merry way and believe in whatever you like.

 

[Aldebaran]

As long as you do not attempt to negatively impact my life or my rights with your beliefs, you can go about your merry way and believe in whatever you like.

Then why so many arguments here about Christian beliefs? Why can't you just let it be? Nobody here is doing anything to impact your, or Poolerboy's, or anyone else's life in the slightest.

 

[keith99]

Obviously my thinking there is no god is wishful thinking on my part. I want to eventually die and be no more after at best a little over 100 years. {end sarcasm}

 

[Proud Parrot]

I want every atheist to live a long life, die, and find out they were wrong.

 

[bhsmte]

Then why so many arguments here about Christian beliefs? Why can't you just let it be? Nobody here is doing anything to impact your, or Poolerboy's, or anyone else's life in the slightest.

Let me repeat what I have said many times on this forum and my posting history will confirm:

I only take issue with Christian beliefs, when the person professing to be a Christian does any of the following:

-claims they are better than me and have better morals because they are Christian
-Claims they have objective evidence to show their God exists
-Claims I am mad at God and or, am being led by evil
-Makes false claims about well evidenced scientific claims

Many Christians on this site, never engage in any of the above and I have complete respect for their beliefs. When someone engages in any of the above though, it opens the door to question the same.

 

[bhsmte]

I want every atheist to live a long life, die, and find out they were wrong.

Could happen, or the reverse could happen.

 

[Aldebaran]

Let me repeat what I have said many times on this forum and my posting history will confirm:

I only take issue with Christian beliefs, when the person professing to be a Christian does any of the following:

-claims they are better than me and have better morals because they are Christian
-Claims they have objective evidence to show their God exists
-Claims I am mad at God and or, am being led by evil
-Makes false claims about well evidenced scientific claims

Many Christians on this site, never engage in any of the above and I have complete respect for their beliefs. When someone engages in any of the above though, it opens the door to question the same.

So do you just hang around waiting for someone to violate one of those rules? I'm sure someone who believes in something you don't is going to say something that will offend one of your rules.

I don't know if Christians generally think they are "better" than someone else, but I think it goes without saying that if they didn't think it was better to accept Christ into their life than not to, then they wouldn't have done it. Same could be said for any other decision. People generally decide to do what they believe is better than an alternative decision.

 

[Deidre32]

What you believe becomes reality.

Ahhh....I like this.

I believe that I'm a goddess.

Does everyone else think so??

 

[Proud Parrot]

Could happen, or the reverse could happen.

Nuh-uh

 

[Proud Parrot]

Ahhh....I like this.

I believe that I'm a goddess.

Does everyone else think so??

Abensolutely! I'm one too.

Goddesses together! Rah!

 

[JGG]

I want every atheist to live a long life, die, and find out they were wrong.

Wow. How very spiteful.

 

[Deidre32]

Abensolutely! I'm one too.

Goddesses together! Rah!

 

[leftrightleftrightleft]

I used to think this line of reasoning was found only in religious moderates, and that fundamentalists rejected this.

Essentially the reasoning I'm talking about goes like this:

Religious moderate version:

"How can you fundamentalists believe in a God who condones horrific atrocities?! I want there to be a loving God, so He must be loving (or actually be love)!"


Fundamentalist version I recently stumbled upon:

"How can you religious moderates/atheists possibly believe in evolution?! The theory promotes a random, meaningless, mindless, purposeless and directionless creation."


​

To see the absurdity in this line of reasoning, consider these examples:



Person X: I like the color pink. Therefore, there are probably pink cats in the world.

OR​

Person Y: I believe there is a diamond the size of a refrigerator buried in my backyard. I know some people see this as absurd but...I just couldn't live in a universe that didn't have a diamond of that size buried in my backyard. It gives my life meaning and purpose.

OR​

Person Z: Oh my goodness! How can you believe that people actually get raped in real life?! What a horrible belief to hold! Why don't you just believe what I believe instead: that people are all nice to each other and just hold hands to sing Kumbayah all day?



Do you recognize these arguments as absurd? Perhaps you don't. If you don't, why don't you? Do you feel reality has to conform to a rosy picture you have in your mind?

Reality is what it is.

But between "me" and that reality "out there" is a barrier of biases, upbringing, culture, fears, illusory mental processes among others.

So the "subjective reality" I experience is partly influenced by my desires and unconscious needs and wants.


I also think their may be benefits to having a rosier "subjective reality" than is actually "out there". For example, if you optimistically believe people are inherently good, you might be less fearful and more willing to talk to strangers and build community. This may mean that you have a confirmation bias to notice and seek out positive examples rather than negative examples of human intentions and actions.

 

[Aldebaran]

Reality is what it is.

But between "me" and that reality "out there" is a barrier of biases, upbringing, culture, fears, illusory mental processes among others.

So the "subjective reality" I experience is partly influenced by my desires and unconscious needs and wants.


I also think their may be benefits to having a rosier "subjective reality" than is actually "out there". For example, if you optimistically believe people are inherently good, you might be less fearful and more willing to talk to strangers and build community. This may mean that you have a confirmation bias to notice and seek out positive examples rather than negative examples of human intentions and actions.

I think more people than not hold this particular subjective reality, which often leads them to disappointment.