}SoC{Sumguy

if there is one thing i cant stand in this world, it is those who beleive blindly. I hate it when for example, i am talking to a fellow christian about God, and they refuse to discuss arguments against God's existence. The same goes for atheists who beleif that God cannot possibly ever exist. Are they so insecure that they cannot even consider any possibility other than their own opinion? I am a devout Christian planningto enter the clergy after colledge, and even I can admit that I could be dead wrong when it comes to God. Thisdoes not prevent me from beleiving, but i do examine other perspectives, after all, they could be right.

whatever you beleif, doubt it, question it, because as an emotional imperfect being, you may well beleive a lie, or disbeleive the truth.

__________________
"And now you've seen his face,
and you know that there's a place
in the sun, for all that you've done.
For you and your children.
You always wanted to beleive.
Just ask and you'll receive,
beyond your wildest dreams.
And you already know how this will end...."

The An-Jel

Not Sure the purpose of the post but it's a good one!

__________________
"And let there be Light!" said the Blind man.

Life is simple, people make it complicated - Basilisk

Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti - Royal Gibraltar Regiment

Providence

Amen.

Do you mind if I ask what denomination you are?

lauraclay

I think maybe the reason so many people believe so blindly is the comfort it provides. To question your beliefs is to question your existence in the universe, and I think it ultimately leads to an understanding of how little control you might actually have, how wrong you might ultimately be. If everything you believe might be wrong, what does that mean for the way you live? Does everything have to change? It's safer to not challenge anything. But who knows, maybe I just think this because I know how scary it is to challenge everything.

The An-Jel

You bring up an interesting point for me lauraclay. I mean we are all going to die and every instinct in us doesn't want to do that. It is final... even living through our kids it's suppose to make us Immortal but we are not... at all. We have a hundred years... maybe less or maybe more to leave our mark. The Universe and even the Earth... have been around for millions of years even the trees live longer than we do!... as absolutely powerless as we feel (actually are) against the forces of nature.

I don't mind being an insignificant speck on an insignificant speck in the Universe. Religion gives a sense of higher power even if it is self initiated to the point of blind faith especially in these new times of scientific discovery where we find ourselves less significance than the amoeba as far as the Universe goes that we can acknowledge this as individuals and people inspires the possibility that something greater lies here for us but my personal doubts linger... the adventure is a blast.

I'll give some of the more rational religious folk this... no matter what religion... they are ready for the adventure even though I think they are hindering themselves if not crippling themselves by what they believe... the Truth can be found and while I might not see it in this lifetime the thought of someone like us might see it is exciting!

__________________
"And let there be Light!" said the Blind man.

Life is simple, people make it complicated - Basilisk

Nulli Expugnabilis Hosti - Royal Gibraltar Regiment

}SoC{Sumguy

i am episcopalian.

__________________
"And now you've seen his face,
and you know that there's a place
in the sun, for all that you've done.
For you and your children.
You always wanted to beleive.
Just ask and you'll receive,
beyond your wildest dreams.
And you already know how this will end...."

lauraclay

Sometimes I am jealous of the devoutly religious. They are absolutely sure of their fate and their role in life, they know where they are and where they are going. As an agnostic, I believe I can't know either. I can make educated guesses, but I can never be sure. When someone dies, Christians can take comfort in the fact that the deceased have moved on to a 'better place.' Whereas I don't know what happened, and it seems to me most likely that they are just dead.
But if I stop and seriously consider it, I am not truly jealous. Because I would rather be unsure and miserable but openminded and potentially right no matter what than be sure and comfortable but closeminded and have only a slim chance of being right.

Og

Yah, I think you're referring to: "Ignorance is Bliss"

I prefer Pasteur's quote: "Chance favors the prepared mind."

Ignorance is bliss only for those with serious desire/fear issues. Reality is reality and there should be no reason to not be blissful and NOT ignorant. This is my favorite part about buddhist/hindu ideas.

__________________
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. (By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)
The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are

Fire Legion

I agree. You're the sort of Christian I can actually talk to, without having a cross shoved in my face and having 'believe!' shouted at me.

The same thing with atheists who refuse to consider the possibility of God- I have a friend who laughs at me for being agnostic. His only argument is bellowing "God is WRONG!" at me.

Og

This is part of a clinical psychological dissociative disorder. It never succeeds in converting people. But they must behave this way to reinforce their internal framework (delusion).

Attacking the person delivering the arguments instead of the arguments is a classic sign of brain washing.

__________________
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. (By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)
The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are